Page 18 of Linc
“That was interesting,” Bill says as he gathers his papers.“I’ll have all his belongings sent to the address listed in his file.My advice is to not engage in any discussions with him or about him with any other employee here at the firm.”As if I’d even mention that shithead’s name.“I’d also suggest that you file for a restraining order to keep him off the property.”With that last parting gift he’s out the door.
“Well, that went better than I expected,” Olivia sarcastically mumbles as she starts to pick up the items on the floor.
“The guy’s a total lunatic.”I bend down, retrieving the monitor and keyboard along with my laptop and papers that are scattered amongst the mess.“How’d we not see how crazy the guy was?Let’s get a few interns and junior associates to go through his past workload and report back to us.Hopefully, this was the first time he’d done something like this.”
“Mr.Thorne, Linley Lewis is in the lobby trying to gain access.She doesn’t have an appointment to see you but she’s insisting,” Ruby speaks over the phone intercom that’s still on the floor next to my desk.
Christ, can’t I catch a break today?My temple throbs at the mention of her.
“I’ll go down to the lobby and speak with her, don’t let her up.”I bend down, picking the phone up and placing it back where it should be.Checking my watch, I see that it’s almost time for Everly to stop by for lunch.At least my day is about to get better.
“Ah, so the beautiful Linley Lewis is back in town,” Olivia jokes.“So, she’s the one that made you want to take time off.”
Her words make me want to vomit.Linley Lewis is the last person I’d rearrange my schedule for.Which reminds me.
“Ruby, please make sure Everly Bryant is always put through to me and given access to my office.She actually should be here soon.”
“Yes, Mr.Thorne, I’ll let Briana down in the lobby know.”
“Thanks Ruby.”
“Everly?I thought Linley was the fling of the season.”
I ignore her comment and put the finishing touches on the last few items on my desk.
“Let me guess, she’s the newest model of Ms.Hutchins’ modeling agency.”Olivia continues to probe.I can hear the distaste in her voice at the mention of Blaire Hutchins.
I hate talking about my personal life with people.Especially those I work with.I’m usually in the gossip mill with a model on my arm and everyone just assumes we’re in a relationship.What they don’t know is they are completely wrong.I’d never want to be tied down to those shallow people.
“I’ll take your silence as a yes,” Olivia boasts like she just figured out an unsolvable problem.
“You are wrong counselor and are getting colder by the second.”
“Really?Because I’m usually spot on with you and your… ladies.”She raises an eyebrow, egging me on to confirm that she’s not wrong.
“Completely wrongthistime,” I say as she props herself up on the edge of my tidy desk like I’m going to cure the world of cancer in my next words, and it irritates me.“Ahh, fine.I met Everly the other day at the courthouse after we won.”
“The one you spoke to before we had our media conference?The one you joked about being your future wife?”She laughs then sees the seriousness on my face.I think I’ve shocked her because she’s looking at me as if I belong in the psych ward.
“Yes, that’s her.”
Olivia stares at me for a second, looking over my face trying to read me like a book or tarot cards.
“You more than hit it off if you were going to rearrange your schedule for today, had the Kevin situation not come up.Lincoln, you never take days off and after meeting a woman for all of five minutes you’re calling insick.She’s special.So where does Linley fit in all this?”
“She doesn’t.Linley is probably back in town, wanting me to look over some new contracts for her.”Locking up the last of my things in my top drawer, I turn back to Olivia ready for this interrogation to be over.When I’m ready to share Everly, I will.“Is there anything else you need, or can you hold down the fort for the rest of the day?”
She gives me a curious but satisfying look, then nods.
“Do I at least get to meet her?”Olivia asks as we walk out of my office, she trails me to the elevator.
The doors open and Levi walks off.I block the entrance, keeping her out and from coming down to the lobby to scope out Everly.Levi has turned around and is giving us a confused look.
“You’ll meet her when I’m ready for everyone to meet her.She’s all mine and I don’t want to scare her off with the likes of you and your interrogations,” I say.Olivia’s a great person.Pushy as hell but a great person.
“Fine, but I expect to be the first one to meet her.”She plants her hands on her hips.“Even before Reid and this guy.”She points over at Levi.
“Hey, I’m blood,” he counters, piping in, even though he has no clue what we are even talking about.
