Page 14 of Sawyer
It’s my first Friday night in Whispers, and I have no idea what I’m doing here.I should be in New York.The Polo Bar is my usual haunt, and it’s like it’s calling to me.Instead, I’m sitting in a booth at Whiteman’s Bar, across from its namesake, with fucking country music playing in the background and some of the oldies from town all dancing in a line on the dance floor, kicking up their boots.To say my life is starting to change would be an understatement.At least the whiskey is good.
“How are you settling in?”Tanner asks.
“I’m not,” I tell him straight.Although, I suppose it’s not the total truth.Rochelle’s coffee at the diner is now something I crave, and the fact that it only takes me five minutes or so to get to my office is a great way to start the day.Less stress, less hustle, it feels surprisingly good.
As another plus, the office redecorating is going well and now feels brand new.It’s small, but it reminds me of when I started in law.The office I worked in back then was not that dissimilar to Jerry’s, and even though I’m busy, it’s kinda nice to have an office to myself, instead of my empire in the city, where I’m dragged into meeting after meeting, half of which should be an email instead.Because of this, I’m much more productive.I only attend key meetings online, take all conference calls remotely, and the rate I’m getting through paperwork is almost baffling.
The place Tanner leased for me on Billionaire Boulevard is luxurious and more my speed.Yet out of everything I’ve learned and experienced since being here, I keep coming back to Annabelle.
I have no idea why I offered to go back to her place to collect the missing paperwork.Obviously, I’m a glutton for punishment.But I’ve seen her twice now, and both times, I’ve been stunned by her beauty.Natural, her blue eyes clear, her hair long and sun-kissed, and she doesn’t pander to me like the women I meet in the city.In fact, I’m not actually sure she even likes me at all.Tolerating me is probably more likely.Which is fine by me.I don’t want to be hanging around Whispers for any longer than I need to.Maybe I need to get back to New York and go out.Find a nice girl for a while.Although that thought is a little harder to get excited about than it once was.
“You agreed to move here.”Of course, he’s placing the blame for my animosity back onto me.
“No.I agreed to have an office here.I’ll hire some local lawyers, and they can run it, and I can do the rest from the city.”I take a sip of whiskey, the finest ever made.Connor looks at Tanner, and then they both look back at me.
“There are no local lawyers in Whispers,” Connor says, and Tanner smirks.I’m not sure why I’m still talking at this point.It’s futile.Tanner has won, but I’m just too stubborn to admit it.
“I’ll find someone nearby, then.”I’m adamant about finding someone else, if for no other reason than to assist with the local paper shuffling that’s required here.
“Yeah, if I wanted them, I would’ve gotten them,” Tanner reiterates, and I roll my eyes.
“I’m here, aren’t I?”I murmur as my eyes flick around the room, and I sit up when I spot a woman with long blond hair.But as she turns, I realize it isn’t who I thought it was.I take a sip of the whiskey, the burn pulling my brain out of my stupid thoughts.I have no time or reason to entertain anything with Annabelle, and I’m not sure why I can’t stop thinking about her.
“Thanks for staying the weekend too.I think it’s important to have the locals see you out and about.They need to know they can trust you, and the best way to do that is to get to know them when you are out of your suit.”Tanner watches me carefully as I play with my whiskey glass on the table, wishing the liquor would numb me already, but it’s my first one, so there's no chance of that.
“Smile, Sawyer.It’s not all bad.”Hudson grins from beside me.He’s the local doctor, who also moved here not long ago to run the hospital.Although being raised here, he knew what he was getting into.Me, it’s been a baptism by fire.
“At least I’m here with you assholes.Oh, by the way, I need some soaps.”
“To wash the cow shit away?”Connor chuckles.Another asshole.
“Sutton is going to promote them on his socials.I thought it may increase interest for them, maybe get some sales for the girls.”
All three men look at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“What?”I shrug, taking another sip of my whiskey.
Tanner’s expression turns to one of curiosity.“That’s a mighty nice thing to do, Sawyer.”
“Think Victoria could organize a box for me or something?”
“Probably, but why don’t you ask Annabelle?Help build that relationship with her a bit so she can see you as someone she can come to for help,” Tanner offers, and I nod.
For some reason, I don’t even hesitate.“Sure.Also, Sutton wants to be the face of your whiskey at some point.He keeps badgering me about it.”
Connor nods.“Not a bad idea.His latest movie gives James Bond vibes, so it’s probably a good fit.I’ll talk to Lacy about it.Might be something we can look at for our latest release.”
“Have you spoken to Jerry much?”Tanner asks, and I shake my head.
“No.He isn’t handing over a lot.Many of his open files he’s completing before he goes.Why?”I wonder what Tanner’s getting at.Jerry is an older man, well into his sixties, and from all accounts, he’s been here in Whispers his whole life.I'm not sure how he did it.Doing wills and deeds for my entire career would drive me insane.I need the big business, the large commercial deals, and a few criminal cases every now and then to keep me engaged.I never want to rest on my laurels.I always want more.
“Just wondering.”As he sips his whiskey, I forget about it, assuming he was wondering about a handover so his precious town doesn’t suffer with the changes.
“How’s Lacy?”I look at Hudson, changing the subject, and his grin is immediate.
“She’s going great.”His smile widens.They had a bumpy start but both now seem to have a great life together with his little son Harvey.I’m not ready to settle down, but looking at the three very happy men around me, I do start to wonder if I’ll ever meet the one.My vision flashes to the blond farmer who was in my office earlier, how good she looked, and I wonder where her kids were.
“How old is Harvey?”I ask him.
