Page 57 of Pride & Precedents

She quirks her eyebrow, the ghost of a smile on her fuchsia lips. I can guess what she's thinking."This guy is a partner? He's got the professionalism of a first year law clerk."After a few awkward moments, she shakes my still outstretched hand with a manicured one of her own.

"I'm glad you finally decided to join me for our meeting,Henry," she says, emphasizing her use of my first name. "Do you make a habit of keeping potential clients waiting?"

I wince while shuffling the papers in my briefcase, and my smile turns apologetic.

"Please accept my apologies, Ms. Gray. I hope you won't take this as a reflection of BBS&P."

I take out the last of my files and face her. She still looks a bit ruffled, recrossing her legs to the other side, but she nods for me to continue.

"From what I can tell," I begin, trying my best to salvage what's left of my usual decorum, "this case is fairly straightforward. TMZ captured pictures of Mr. Andre Gibbs entering his hotel room in St. Maarten while kissing his backup singer, Ms. Julie Baker. No judge will require a trial for a case with such clear-cut evidence."

Kendra sighs and drums her nails on the table.

"Well," I can hear the irritation in her voice, "thatwouldbe the case except for the ironclad prenup I sent to your office this morning. Didn't you receive it? I spoke to a Mr. Rick Banks."

Partner's nephew or not, I am going to fucking kill that little shit.I shuffle my papers again, attempting to hide my surprise. Finding out new information when it's too late to do anything about it is the bane of every lawyer's existence. That's why we have whole teams of clerks, interns, junior associates, and, of course, paralegals working around the clock to ensure we know everything there is to know. Ms. Gray places her hand on the papers to stop my nervous rustling.

"Mr. Park, look. I don't know much about you—you were a recommendation from my agent—but I must say I'm surprised. I wouldn't guess a partner at BBS&P who's won 95% of his cases would show up late looking like he jogged several blocks to get here. Either you're an imposter and I'm being pranked, or you're having one of the worst days of your professional career."

"Bingo," I mutter.

"Care to get it out in the open so we can get this show on the road? I have a fitting downtown in two hours."

There is no universe where a lawyer would treat a potential client, especially a VIP, like some sort of pop psychologist to solve his personal problems. But she didask, and I've already made a terrible first impression. Maybe it's time to retire Sub Zero and actually be myself.

She sees I'm conflicted and her face softens slightly.

"I know you don't know me from Adam, and that talking about whatever is bothering you must be extremely unusual, especially with a potential client. But I'm also a human. Let's hear it."

To my great surprise, I open my mouth and tell her all about my brother "Harold". How he's struggling to work with an old flame. How his long-time assistant is becoming something more. All about "Harold" and his assistant's beautiful nighttogether. How he might lose her if he isn't honest about their relationship with his "managers.

It was unforgivably unprofessional, and I doubt she bought it was about "Harold" for a second, but it felt…good to actually talk about it. To lighten the load of everything that's happened by sharing it with someone. Usually, that "someone" would be Noah.

"I can tellHarold's in love withMinajust from the way he talks about her," she says, a genuine smile on her face for the first time since the meeting started. Tension bunches my shoulders.

"'Love' is a strong word, Ms. Gray. I said he hasfeelingsfor her." Kendra rolls her eyes. "Anyway, now it's all messed up. She walked out, and she hasn't been answering his calls or texts."

God, I sound like I'm back in high school again.Kendra smiles even bigger.

"It sounds to me like she's looking for a grand gesture. To go from being his assistant to his…" she searches for your word, "…uh, fuck buddy, is one thing. I know firsthand that it can be fun to sneak around with someone at work. The secrets make it hotter." She sits back in her chair, thoughtful.

"But I also know firsthand how tough it can be to move from fuck buddies tomorewith someone at work. And if she's plus-sized like me, keeping things a secret might come across as being ashamed of her."

"First off," I protest, "I don't think Harold would call her an…F buddy."

As if saying "fuck" would make this conversation any more inappropriate than it already is.She gives me a pointed look.

"Were they meeting up to have sex?" she asks.

"Notonlysex, but…yes," I answer begrudgingly.

"And they were keeping it a secret?"

"Of course. Interoffice relationships are strongly discouraged."

I can't keep the defensiveness out of my voice. She gives me a meaningful smile.

"It sounds like Harold and Mina were most definitely fuck buddies." She raises her hands when she notices me about to interject. "Which istotally fine! But if she's still a secret and Harold wants more, the relationship has to come out of hiding." She checks her watch and stands. "And his ex definitely needs to stay out of the picture."

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