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“Are you sure—”
Opening one eye, he glared at her. “Not another word. And don’t you dare tell Rose.”
She stuck her tongue out at him but didn’t argue. After a few more minutes of deep breathing, the pain passed, and he sat up with a groan.
“Do you think he’s up for it?” Steven grabbed the water bottle from his desk and took several large gulps.
“He seemed to be. If nothing else, he’s eager to learn.” Lanie shrugged. “But even if he turns out to be a terrible writer, it’s easier to edit a first draft than a blank page.”
“True,” Steven agreed, albeit reluctantly. “And at least it’ll get Rose off my case for a while.”
“You hope.” Lanie grinned.
He gave a grim nod. “I do.”
Around five in the evening, Steven packed up his things. How he had managed to work a whole day, he couldn’t say, but he was already paying for it. Lanie had arranged for their dad to pick him up, and Steven glanced out the window to confirm Dad had arrived. His spirits lifted at the sight of the van parked outside the building, waiting for him.
Before he left, he popped his head into Michael’s office, thrilled to see the law clerk still hard at work. He knocked softly, and Michael glanced up, a proud grin on his face.
“How’d it go?” Steven asked.
“Great so far! I’ve already finished a rough draft for one of the motions, and I’m hoping to have two more ready for you by tomorrow.”
Steven blinked, though he wasn’t sure why he was surprised. One of the reasons he had chosen Michael was his can-do attitude and the ambition in his eyes, an ambition Steven had once shared. He hoped it would return once he was fully recovered, but he would be happy if he could find enough motivation to keep his head above water. Drowning in a financial crisis was not something he wished to contend with, especially with his wedding looming.
“Good work.” He gave a thumbs-up. “But you should head home and start celebrating the Fourth of July early.”
“Sure thing, boss. Just let me save my work, and I’ll walk out with you.”
While he waited, Steven headed to Sandra’s office. She was packing up as well. When she noticed him lurking in the doorway, she motioned him closer.
“You picked a real winner with that one,” she whispered, peeking behind Steven as if to make sure Michael wasn’t in earshot. “He’s been sending me emails left and right with intelligent questions and additional case law he intends to include in his motions. He’s going to do nicely here.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind offering to extend his clerkship into the fall, but I imagine once the bar results from July post, he’ll receive more lucrative offers from DC law firms,” Steven responded, voicing the thought that had gnawed at him since making the offer.
“Well, Rose wants you to take on a partner. He wouldn’t be a bad bet.”
Steven bristled. “That’s a bit premature, don’t you think? I’d like to work with him for more than a few months to make sure he could handle something like that.”
“Then it’ll be your loss.” Sandra shrugged. She straightened as Michael came into view. “Great job today!”
“Thanks for your help,” Michael responded with a grin. He turned to Steven. “Mind if I pick your brain on the way out? I had some ideas I’d love to run by you.”
“Sounds good.” Steven gestured for him to go first. “Lead the way.”
“So, what made you decide to set up shop in this town?” Michael asked as they reached the door to the law office.
“I grew up here.” Steven lifted his face toward the sky, relishing the late-afternoon sun on his skin. The best part about summer was that it didn’t matter how late he worked, the sun was still high in the sky when he left.
“And you decided to come back?” Michael’s eyes widened, and a knot formed in Steven’s stomach. “There’s not much to tempt you here, is there?”
Steven shrugged. “More than you’d expect. I lived in Baltimore for a time, but I’m not cut out for city life. Besides, I prefer the ability to make my own schedule, something I couldn’t do at big law firms.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Michael agreed. “I do love Georgetown, though. Plenty to do nearby or just a short trip downtown.” His gaze swept over Main Street. “It’s much quieter here.”
“You get used to it, and who knows? You may even come to prefer it.”
Michael snorted. “I doubt it.” Then he seemed to realize how he sounded. “Not that I don’t appreciate the opportunity.”
