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I had a deposition on Monday with Lana Foley, but I could still make this work. I’d have to tell Vaughn we needed to leave earlier on Sunday, but I wasn’t going to say no. I’d work my ass off the rest of the week to prepare.
It was the without a doubt the most intimidating and daunting case of my life, going up against a U.S. senator. But Vaughn was just as important. I thrived with him. I needed him. A flash of hesitation whipped through me. Was it irresponsible to put Lana’s case behind my relationship with Vaughn?
I convinced myself I wasn’t doing that. I had the rest of the week to prepare. And it wasn’t as if a deposition was the same as being in the courtroom. I had a long way to go on her case. This was only the beginning. The first stride in the marathon. Right now I wanted to spring to Vaughn.
On Friday afternoon I skirted past Meg, shoving files in my messenger bag. I still had to pack a suitcase and change for our drive to the winery. I made a list of what to pack. If I hurried, I could throw it together in ten minutes.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“Weekend plans.” I smiled.
“That’s all you’re going to say? You never leave early.”
I paused in front of her desk. “It’s with a guy.”
“Really? That sounds serious. A weekend trip. Wow.”
I shrugged, trying to downplay the significance. “It’s just a quick trip. I’ll be in Monday for Mrs. Foley’s deposition.”
“I’m not worried about a deposition.” She rolled her eyes. “Tell me who the guy is. That’s more interesting.”
“More interesting than prosecuting a senator who had an affair and fired his mistress when she got pregnant? Your definition of interesting is skewed,” I teased.
“Oh come on,” she whined.
“Maybe after the weekend,” I hinted. “See you Monday morning.”
“You can’t leave like that.”
I laughed. “Have a good weekend, Meg.”
I left her to contend with Addie. I ignored my officemate’s sideway glare when I stacked my files and turned off my laptop at least an hour early for a work day. After working together in close quarters for over a month, Addie still hadn’t warmed up to the idea of sharing space. She didn’t like to collaborate on cases. She didn’t like to share the students.
Most days I felt as if she were guarding secrets, protecting her methods in case I might steal them. The program was competitive, but I didn’t view the other attorneys as my nemeses. I accepted she did.
The odds were stacked against us. With the amount of residents in the program and a limited faculty slot, the margin was too narrow to get caught up in defeating each other. Working in the clinic helped me see that there was enough evil being waged on women in the world. I wasn’t about to pile on it by back-stabbing my colleagues. I’d rather not get ahead than push someone down.
The apartment was quiet while I packed for the weekend. I texted Greer that I was going to be out of town for two nights. I didn’t hear back from her.
She didn’t have access to her phone in some of the senate committee meetings. She said security was always a top concern. She had to leave her phone in the office. I’d probably hear from her later tonight. I wasn’t ready to give her other details anyway. She would interrogate me more than Meg had.
I quickly gathered a few outfits, making sure to pack a special black lacy number I had ordered online. I didn’t have a plan when I saw it on the website. Only that Vaughn had to see me in it. I zipped the suitcase until it was closed completely.
I heard a knock at the door and practically skipped to let Vaughn in.
“Hi.” His sexiness was devastating.
He pulled me in for a kiss.
“Hi.” I smiled, reeling from the way his lips felt. I knew if he let go I might slip off balance.
“Ready?”
I nodded. “I’ve never been to a winery, so I wasn’t sure what to pack.” I walked to my bedroom to retrieve my suitcase. “I don’t need anything dressy, do I? I think I packed enough, but…”
“It’s casual. Out in the country,” he explained. “Clothes are always optional.”
