I like it that way.
I loosen the top button of my shirt since I feel like I’m slowly being strangled.
My phone buzzes.
I don’t answer.
I walk to the window and watch her. She’s standing by the rental car, phone to her ear, gesturing with one hand and juggling a leather tote, and a garment bag in the other.
She’s… energetic. Distractingly so.
I turn away before she catches me watching.
I grab my laptop and open my email—only to immediately regret it.
Subject line:URGENT - Partner Case Motion Response
My phone rings again before I can even finish reading.
I sigh, pinch the bridge of my nose, and answer.
“Whitaker.”
“Where the hell have you been?” Gideon’s voice barrels through the line, sharp and impatient. “I’ve called twice.”
“I stepped away for a minute,” I say. “I’m at home.”
“You’re off-site?”
“I’m working remotely.”
“Well, un-remote yourself. Feldstein just moved up the deadline. He wants a revised motiontonight.”
Of course he does.
Because this week—the one week I’m hosting a wedding on my property—is the exact week my future is being decided. If I land this case and close this client, I’m in. Name on the wall. Grant, Feldstein & Whitaker.
If I don’t… well. That isn’t really an option.
I rake a hand through my hair and stare at the files on the table. My jaw tightens.
“I’ll send it by nine.”
“Make it eight,” Gideon snaps.
I look out the window again.
She’s laughing now. Still on the phone, still unpacking, like none of this touches her. Like my week isn’t unraveling by the minute.
Her smile is blinding.
My eye twitches.
“Why aren’t you in the office, anyway?” Gideon asks.
“I told you—I’m hosting the wedding here this week. For Mason. My brother.”
A pause.
