Erika didn’t move a muscle.All right.
Baz swallowed.“You wanted to see me?”It came out steadier than he had dreaded.Thank you, body.
“Sebastian.Have a seat.”Her voice was a low melody, commanding despite its warmth.
He eyed up the cozy seating area that made up the other half of her office: a white leather couch, fuzzy carpet, her own coffee machine.One day, she’d invite him to sit there, and they’d raise a glass to his promotion.Until then, he settled on the black chair facing her.His fingertips clawed into his thigh.
Erika’s three-inch heels clacked on the floor with every slow step toward her seat.Baz forced himself to meet her brown eyes, counted to five in his head before averting his gaze—confident, but not aggressive.Yet another lesson from Aya’s school ofhow to be a kickass lawyer.
Her hands intertwined on the table.The crimson nails stuck out like claws.
“Have you heard of the case against Captain Green?”
“Yes?”The news that the firm was representing a group of forty-or-so cancer patients suing the most popular herbicide manufacturer in the country had been the topic of every hushed conversation when it broke.
“Then you also know that Travis Grash is the partner in charge of it.”
Baz nodded.Thewhywas what puzzled him.
Grash, much as he had a reputation for being a shark in the old days, seemed to have mentally retired since before Baz had started working here.These days, his work was lackluster at best.The one time Baz had been supposed to assist him on a case, he had ended up running the show by himself.He assumed Grash still being on the payroll at all was an act of courtesy to commemorate his past achievements; how that entitled him to the fun cases remained a mystery.
“What you don’t know is that, as of this morning, Travis has decided his life will be more fulfilling on a farm in Oklahoma.”Her tone made clear how little she thought of that.Baz failed to suppress a snort.Sounded about right.May Grash find his happiness there and clear the way for someone younger, sharper, still motivated.
Someone like Baz.
“Which leaves this case open and ready to settle,” Erika carried on.“It is my understanding that Travis and the opposing counsel struck a preliminary agreement already.All that’s left to do is to finalize it and get it signed.Are you the right person for the job?”
Baz’s spine snapped upright.He got to be in charge of a case that big?
“Yes!”
Erika lifted a perfect eyebrow.
Calm now, play it cool.Anything Grash could do, Baz could do better.
“Yes,” he repeated, calmer.“I’d be happy to get right to that.”
“I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I need you to understand that this is no small endeavor.There are forty livelihoods at stake, and the press will be all over it.”
Exactly.This was the kind of case only partners got their hands on.If she trusted him with bringing this settlement home, she must at least be considering bestowing that title on him.
“I understand.I will handle this with the care and professionalism you’re leading with.”
“Kissing ass.Nice touch,” Erika said, stone-faced.Sarcasm, or was she sincere?He’d have to ask Aya which was more likely.“Then it’s settled.I’ll have all of Travis’s files transferred to you.”
Just like that?
The rush of adrenaline turned his blood to honey.Today really was his lucky day.He should buy a lottery ticket on his way home.
“I promise, you won’t regret—”
“Dismissed.”
Leaving.Yes.Of course.Baz jumped to his feet.
“Thank you for this opportunity.Have the best day.”He hurried out and let the door fall shut behind him.
His face was on fire.Have the best day?He sounded like a right idiot.What a great impression to leave her with.
