Page 9 of Pride & Precedents

"Ms. Sanchez. I didn't see you there. How may I help you?"

I click my pen nervously before taking a breath and steeling myself against a potential chastisement for discussing something personal at work.

"Sir…" I lick my lips nervously and start again. "Sir, are you…OK?"

He lifts his eyebrows and presses his lips into another frown.

"What do you mean, Ms. Sanchez?"

I will myself to stop clicking my pen and take another calming breath.

"This morning, at the meeting with Ms. Watanabe, you didn't seem…yourself."

He continues to frown at me, but says nothing. Just like a lawyer to stay silent, giving me the opportunity to dig my own grave by babbling to fill the silence.

"You seemed a bit nervous right before the meeting, which is unusual. And she didn't say anything, but I could swear Ms. Watanabe recognized you when you came in. And now you're back from breakfast and your tie…"

I let the sentence dangle, worried I've already earned some sort of demerit for daring to question a partner. After a tense silence, he sighs and moves to button his shirt and fix his tie.Damn. I was kinda enjoying Disheveled Henry.

"Very astute, Ms. Sanchez, as always."

His tie and shirt back in position, he's now Sub Zero once more.Great.I've clearly pissed him off.

"You are right that Ms Watanabe and I know each other. We had a brief and very minor personal relationship during law school which I disclosed to Mr. Bannister this morning before the meeting. I assured him that it would not impact my representation of Ms. Watanabe. Do I need to make the same assurance to you?"

His eyebrow lifts and his eyes harden. I clearly crossed the line; Sub Zero is now Arctic Blast. I try to ignore the strict daddy vibes he's giving off that have me tingling between my legs. I don't normally play the submissive, but I'd definitely make an exception for Henry.

"My apologies, sir. I meant no offense."

With a small nod of acceptance and a click of his mouse, I'm dismissed. I scurry out of his office, closing the door behind me.How badly did I just fuck up? Do I need to start looking at openings on LinkedIn?Rather than obsess, I drop my notepad at my desk before retreating to the kitchen for some carby comfort; there's gotta be some leftover bagels or a muffin orsomething.

Jonathan, my old boss, is there as well, raiding the cupcakes from a birthday celebration earlier in the day.Jackpot.He raises his red velvet in greeting.

"Hi Camila. How's Sub Zero treating you? Still making your life miserable on a daily basis?"

I hide my wince by biting into my chosen German chocolate cupcake. God, I wish he wasn't right. Ever since I left to cover Henry's desk and never came back, Jonathan has been a sore loser. We're in the same department, but instead of collaborating, Jonathan's holding a grudge for daring to advance my career. He was afineboss, but who would pass up theopportunity (and significant pay bump) to support a partner? Of course, it doesn't help that Henry isn't afraid to keep all the best clients for himself.

"I'm doing well, Jonathan. Thank you for asking."

He grunts sullenly into his cupcake.

"I heard you got another VIP client. What's that, like the fourth this year?"

I mentally count and fight to keep the smile off my lips.

"The fifth, actually." Jonathan's mouth tightens.

"Congratulations," he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "If only we couldallskip paying our dues and go right to the big leagues."

When I only blink in response, Jonathan stalks back to his office, looking more like a pouty toddler than an attorney. What a tool. He can be mad about my promotion all he wants, but if I couldn't hang, Henry would not have kept me.

"Does he often antagonize you in the office?"

I nearly jump out of my kitten heels at Henry's voice behind me. He must have snuck in for coffee during my standoff with Jonathan. I give a noncommittal lift of one shoulder.

"Nothing I can't handle." A true Bronx girl like myself can handle bullies (even of the corporate variety) without breaking a sweat.

He watches me intently, looking like he might say something. Instead, he turns back to add creamer to his mug. If this day could go ahead and wrap it up, that would be great.

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