But what?
My practice maintained a steady stream of clients and referrals. Refocusing on my corporate law credentials would infringe on Andrew’s workload, something I wasn’t interested in doing.
“This also came for you,” Simone said, breaking through my reverie. She handed me an envelope that appeared to be an invitation. When I flipped it over and saw the Bid for Love logo, my heart sank. “Your calendar is free that night, if you’d like me to RSVP.”
Pulling out the heavy cardstock, my eyes quickly caught up to her statement by reading:
Just hearing the name of the nonprofit organization sparked an idea. Bid for Love helped women and men pick themselves up after toxic relationships, offering workshops and a dating service. Since I had always wanted to start up the pro bono division, giving legal counsel to those ending their marriages because of abuse, why not do that now? To free up my time, I could make Andrew my first partner, something that would benefit us both, and even bring in a few more attorneys to lighten his load.
In that moment, I made a career-altering decision to delegate my current divorce cases and start something that wouldn’t suck emotions out of me but rather do the opposite.
Because infidelity had been a common ingredient that I used to feed my ruthlessness, I always justified my actions. I no longer could find any pleasure following that philosophy. Now that the ambitious hunger that once fueled my drive was absent, something in me flipped. Whatever that was, I not only felt that change in my heart, but also in my morals.
Amy was right—the woman I fell for got hurt because of my involvement, and although I couldn’t change that, I could change myself.
It also needed to be said that Brad was right when he accused me of falling for her.
I loved Amy Delton.
“Nate? Yes or no?”
I looked up to Simone watching me intently. “Yes, please respond for me… and a guest.”
A smile lifted her lips. “Will do. Would you also like to make a donation to Revival?”
“Yes, please match my last donation.”
Her eyes bulged a bit. “The bid you made?”
“That’s the one.” While she processed the second $20,000 donation I was about to give Bid for Love, I added, “Also, can you ask Andrew to come see me?”
“Um… sure.”
“Great. And can you please schedule a meeting with each of my current clients over the next week?” She looked at me suspiciously but simply nodded. “Thank you. Oh, and ensure that everyone attends the cocktail party later.” No doubt the subsequent exaggerated smile I sported, along with the strange list of requests, had my assistant thinking I’d lost my mind.
“Okay,” she responded robotically, while staring at me before rising and walking out. Once my door was closed, I began scribbling down an impromptu to-do list of all I had to get done.
A few minutes later, Andrew knocked and appeared in my office with a confident stance, but his expression negated that. Who could blame the guy? Things had been awkward between us of late, and it was time to put that behind me.
“Am I fired?” he asked from just inside the door.
“Have you fucked another client’s wife?” I countered.
“Not that I know of.”
“Then you’re good. Take a seat.” He did as I asked, and without pulling punches I said, “I’m making you partner.” Predictably, his mouth gaped in shock. It was an impulsive move that most law firms wouldn’t think of pulling. Months, even years went into naming a partner, but again… I was the boss. More importantly, I was never one to follow stuffy protocols, especially regarding my best friend.
I smiled during his astonishment… and waited. All the while, we stared at one another.
It was probably a full five minutes before he dragged a hand through his hair and smiled as well. “I wasn’t expecting that for at least another year. Why now?”
“Because you deserve it… and I do as well. It’s time to make some changes around here, and promoting you is step one.” I then filled him in on my plans, feeling lighter than I had in years.
I’d done something I never have before. I closed my office, giving my entire staff Thanksgiving week off. Their stupefied expressions when I announced that during the Steiner celebration still made me smile. I used that party for two reasons—not only did we indeed celebrate that case being done once and for all, but we also celebrated the future of Navarro & Associates.
For the past week, I’d been buried with work, in the best of ways. And once the holidays were over, a brand-new division would be fully staffed and ready to help those who needed legal counsel but couldn’t afford it.
As of now… it was time to check off one last item on my to-do list.
After one long exhausting week since my epiphany, I closed down my office for the holiday and went directly to Amy’s apartment, only to find her not home.
I had no problem calling Max and Jade’s, not caring it was almost midnight. Okay, when a sleepy Jade got on the phone a few minutes after I rambled into my brother’s ear, I felt a little remorse.
And then remorse morphed into panic when she told me Amy was in Costa Rica.
No one could’ve predicted what happened next. Long story short, there I was thirty or so hours later, mesmerized by the stunning turquoise sea.
Standing out like a sore thumb, I sat fully clothed on the warm, powdery sand while trying to remember the last time I had even taken time for myself. Even my last vacation to Greece a few years ago had come to be because of a client. Sure, I enjoyed the country and food, but hour for hour, I ended up working more than I relaxed.
It took great effort to pull my plan off. And I wasn’t entirely sure she’d be happy to see me. The resort was huge and booked to capacity. That meant if she rejected my ass, plan B would have me hailing a cab right back to the airport. On the other hand, if all went my way, I planned to spend some quality time with my Jersey girl in this gorgeous paradise. Something I could seriously get used to.
Each person that came down the plank walkway caught my attention. I knew she’d be there. A little birdie had tipped me off to her daily routine. Apparently, each morning she would get herself a huge gourmet iced coffee, find a quiet spot on this very beach, and either write in a notebook or read.
More and more people came on to the vast stretch of beach, spreading out with all their gear. With each person, my head would jerk to see if it was her.
And then she appeared.
It’d been almost two weeks since I’d seen her, and my body reacted appropriately. She wore a sexy white bikini top that accentuated her perfect breasts, and a silky floral sarong that clung to her shapely legs, prompting my cock to swell in greeting. Her hair looked even lighter than it had, lifting gently from the ocean breeze. She had spent a lot of time in the sun. Her tanned skin glistened from sunscreen that probably smelled like coconuts. A beach bag hung on one shoulder, the coffee she loved in one hand.
The entire time she looked down, ignoring anyone around her while heading with purpose toward the edge of the turquoise surf. I waited for her to pull out a thick towel, place her coffee and bag on it, and sit her sweet ass down before I rose from the spot where I watched.
Step after step brought me closer, nearer, and my heart pounded over the unknown. I had no idea how she would respond to seeing me, or even if she’d want to see me at all.