Page 3 of Dial L for Lawyer
The subject line: ‘Final Offer - Director of Marketing Position’
An offer I never responded to. An offer worth triple my current salary.
An offer that makes me look guilty as hell.
I sink into the nearest chair, my perfect armor suddenly feeling like tissue paper.
This can't be happening.
CHAPTER 2
Serena
The parking garage concrete is cold against my back as I slide down the wall beside my car, not caring that my suit might get ruined. The banker's box sits beside me like a cardboard tombstone marking the death of my career.
Five years. Five years of sixty-hour weeks, of proving myself over and over, of building something I was proud of. Gone in twenty minutes.
My phone buzzes.
David Kingsley:
Heard what happened. I'm so sorry. Can't formally help - conflict of interest. But Serena... you need a lawyer. A good one.
Call my brother. You know Caleb, and he specializes in this type of case. He's also the best there is.
I laugh, and it’s harsh, bitter. Of course. Of course the universe would do this to me.
My hands shake as I call Layla.
"Hey, babe!" Her voice is bright. "How was the meeting? Did the board love the campaign?"
"Layla." My voice cracks. "I need you."
Her tone shifts immediately. "Where are you?"
"Parking garage. At work. Or... not work anymore."
"Stay there. I'm coming."
"No, I'll come to you. I need... I need to get out of here."
"My place. I'll call Audrey. Just drive carefully, OK?"
The drive to Layla's is muscle memory. I don't remember the turns, the lights, the other cars. Just suddenly I'm there, handing my keys to the valet and being escorted to the penthouse elevator by a very friendly concierge that I’m sure I’m being rude to.
Layla is waiting when the doors open. "Oh, honey."
That's all it takes. I collapse into her arms, my purse tumbling forgotten to the floor.
"Come on," she murmurs, guiding me inside. "Audrey's on her way. Bennett's here. We've got wine."
Bennett's pacing by the windows, phone pressed to his ear, clearly in CEO mode. He ends the call when he sees me.
"Serena," he says, and there's something in his expression. "Take a seat. You look like you could use a drink."
I sink onto their pristine white couch. "They think I sold our campaign to Radiance. Eighteen months of work, and they think I just... sold it. For a job offer."
"Tell us everything," Layla says, taking the glass of wine Bennett hands her and pressing it into my hands.
