Page 65 of Hula Girl

Grabbing my phone, I study it intently to shield my still-wet eyes from him. “Um, it was good. I had a talk with Randall, gave him the same love-at-first-sight story I gave Tyler. I don’t think he believes me, but he didn’t question it too much.”

“So, you have a special relationship with him?”

I look up at him quickly, my defenses raised. “What makes you say that?”

“Just—”

“Because of what Manny said about me being under his protection?”

“No, not because of that creep,” he says. “Because of how you described him to me. You said he was like family. And because of the way he looked at you at the event last night. He clearly cares for you.”

My tense shoulders sag in relief. “Yes, he’s like a grandfather to me.”

He nods. “How did that come about? He’s the managing partner, and you’re still a little green there, aren’t you?”

“I’ve been there six years, and I’m a senior associate.”

Holding up a hand, he says, “I meant no offense. I have no doubt that you’re a damn good lawyer and have worked your ass off for everything you’ve got.”

“That’s exactly right,” I tell him quickly, firmly.

Silence fills the car, and I look down at my phone again. Before long, my assumption that he was suggesting something improper with my relationship with Randall abates. He’s never given me any reason to think he would jump to such conclusions about me. In truth, he’s only ever listened to me with incredible generosity.

“I, uh,” I start, “we became close, actually, really quickly.”

He looks over at me and we get locked into each other’s gaze. Before I tell him more, his eyes soften, and it feels like he somehow understands why I’m so protective of Randall. When he reaches out and rests his right hand on my thigh, using his thumb to gently stroke my bare skin, it’s a warm comfort that I gladly accept. It gives me a sense of safety and security that I can be completely honest with him.

And so, I confess to him the story of my interview and how I helped cover for Randall when he fainted. I’ve never told anyone that story. Not even my mom. I’ve always kept it in the strictest confidence, somehow thinking absolute silence is the best way to protect Randall. I also tell him why I’m so touchy about it. That it’s not just Manny who insinuates that I’ve gotten special favors because of Randall, that I’ve had to weave between actively fighting against rumors and ignoring them for the last six years.

“It’s such bullshit,” Ford says and squeezes my thigh. “I’m sorry you have to deal with that.”

I put my hand over his, linking our fingers. “There are so many politics in this field it’s crazy.”

“Well, it’s easy enough to see that Manny’s gunning to take over.”

“Oh, he definitely wants to take over. In fact, he was in the middle of trying a power play on Randall about the time I interviewed. I sensed that his motives weren’t exactly above-board when he came in after Randall fell. It made me want to protect him all the more. And Manny’s been stymied about it ever since. For the last six years.”

Ford laughs. “Serves him right. But he will pounce, that’s clear. Is Randall in good health?”

I nod. “He’s definitely slowing down, though. He doesn’t play tennis anymore, which drives him crazy. But he still gets into the office, sometimes even by six-thirty in the morning like me.”

“Maybe we can get Manny and my father to start a new firm together.”

I laugh. “Why’s that?”

“They both want to push out the old men who built their firms.”

“Really?”

He then tells me his own secret, sharing how he overheard his father plotting to take over the controlling interest of the firm by, not just sidelining him, but pushing out his own father.

“Thing is, I don’t have the genuine relationship with him the way you do with Randall. He’s never had any interest in me. Not until I could do something for the firm. So, while I don’t like the idea of what Senior is trying to do, I’m also not driven to protect my grandfather. It’s a weird thing to have no feelings for him.”

“Do you have a relationship with your mom’s parents?” I ask, looking for something positive to focus on.

“Yeah, I do. I mean, I did. They passed away, one after the other, a few years ago.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Ford.” I squeeze his hand where it still rests on my thigh.

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