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“So the questions are, is the retail shop incorporated under Tovar Enterprises, and who funded it?” Finn said.
Hailey stood. “We need to set up one of the conference rooms on the fourth floor before Mrs. Tovar arrives. Don’t forget this is an interview as much as it is a chance for us to figure out what is wrong with this case.”
“Not my first year.”
She huffed and walked away, leaving him no choice but to follow. She was already in the elevator when he started down the hall. Shoving his hand between the elevator doors before they closed, he stepped inside and took a deep breath. His day just got way more interesting, and the partners had handed him two golden opportunities: a shot at junior partner and the perfect excuse to get to know more about Hailey Adams. But she wasn’t going to make it easy.
On the elevator ride down, they were both quiet. No doubt she was considering their case while he was wondering if she was dating someone, but even if she was, it wasn’t going to stop him from wanting her. Before arriving at Baxter and Stewart, he never would have believed in the notion of soulmates or love at first sight—he still wasn’t convinced. Mainly because Hailey couldn’t care less about getting to know him, and he assumed both of those instances required mutual infatuation. But he knew there was something between them, a current of interest that pulsed whenever they were in a room together. Or in the rare instances they accidentally came into physical contact, there was a tidal wave of awareness he’d never experienced, and a blush would spill into Hailey’s cheeks, proving she felt it too.
Average height, lean with curves that seemed to defy the loose-fitting suits she always wore. As if she wanted to downplay her figure. Thick blonde hair that looked almost white, which she meticulously kept pulled back. Hailey wasn’t a classic beauty but rather a unique compilation of features. A round face, high cheekbones, defined full lips, and unique large icy-blue eyes with one flaw. There was a small facet of brown in her left iris, like ink that spilled into the blue.
He doubted she wore much makeup beyond Chapstick. And if he had to guess, he would bet she’d been a dancer in her early life—the way she carried herself reminded him of a ballerina, each step measured, taking great care to move with purpose. Her eyes were always taking in details, but she rarely offered up opinions. In the rookie bullpen, she was all business.
She was the one woman who had instantly captivated him the moment he saw her. Maybe, that was true for most people who met Hailey. The other men at the firm always attempted to get her attention, but she made it clear she was not interested in mixing work with a personal relationship—especially with one of the other rookie lawyers.
Rookie lawyers were any junior associates at the firm vying for a chance to be invited into the junior partner ranks. There were always six to ten rookie lawyers in the bullpen, assisting the partners, learning the ropes, and competing against each other. Rookies sat on the third floor with conference rooms on the fourth between them and the managing partners’ floor, which was on the fifth floor. There was an extensive law library on the sixth floor where Hailey seemed to prefer to work. The firm sat along the Potomac River in downtown Alexandria, Virginia, only a few blocks from the courthouse. It was a prestigious firm, and Finn knew the only reason he’d been given a position here was because Baxter was a Naval Academy grad and former SEAL, just like Finn. It also didn’t hurt that his mother was a local judge.
Following Hailey off the elevator, he didn’t miss a few interested looks from the other rookies, pretending to be busy. Her office was at the end of the hall, while his was midway. Before he could grab his laptop, favorite notepad, and pen, Hailey was walking back from her office toward the stairs.
“I’ll see you in the conference room in five minutes. Don’t expect me to play waitress and lawyer today. We need coffee, water, and something to offer Mrs. Tovar.”
“I’ll place an order downstairs for some pastries,” he said. There was a café on the first floor of their building with a few signature sweets. He just hoped they had a few left.
Ten minutes later, the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the conference room at the end of the long hallway, which Hailey had selected—it had the best view of the river.
“Assuming she doesn’t fire us, we have court tomorrow. Just a simple presentation of our case and request for discovery,” Hailey said, not bothering to meet his eyes or acknowledge the platter of croissants, cookies, and chocolates he’d managed to get the café to make during the height of the morning rush.
“Listen, can we at least pretend to be cordial? I’m not your enemy. I’m your partner for the duration of this case.”
Hailey stood from her seat, exhaled a big breath, and met his eyes. “I don’t like being paired up, and I’m aware that Mr. Baxter favors you.”
“And I’m aware Mrs. Stewart favors you, so we’re even there.”
He wasn’t about to admit to her that he knew she was a better lawyer with more years under her belt as a rookie. Or the fact that he wasn’t completely sold on the idea of practicing private law.
“The partners said we need to work as a team, and I’m pretty sure we have to win. The easiest way to do both is by getting on the same page,” he said.
“Fine, I have more experience debriefing clients, and you can prepare the discovery request, then we can flip a coin for lead in court tomorrow,” she offered.
“Deal.” Finn held out his hand to shake hers, and for a moment, thought she would reject it. But she gripped his palm with more strength than he would have expected and a jolt of something passed between them. He had a feeling he was going to enjoy this case far more than he should.
*
An hour later,Finn was less sure about how enjoyable working with Hailey was going to be. Although they’d easily convinced Mrs. Tovar they were the perfect duo to represent her best interests. As soon as they were alone, it was like being in a combat zone and he was taking random fire from the opposing side nonstop.
“We aren’t going to use the ‘she was the homemaker’ defense. For one, it doesn’t matter. Per their prenup, Mrs. Tovar isn’t entitled to any alimony. But for two, she created her business during their marriage. If we say she wasn’t working, then we undermine the creation of her empire,” Hailey said.
“I’m just saying we could attempt to stack the deck and throw in the lack of equitable shared duties in running their household and raising their child. Mrs. Tovar should be compensated for that time invested in the building of their family.”
“I don’t disagree. I just think it will undermine our defense that she isn’t asking to circumvent the prenup. She just wants to retain her own, lucrative business and have custody of her son,” Hailey said.
Finn stood and took a deep breath. “And if the court disagrees, we’ll have missed our chance to argue she is actually owed what amounts to severance pay.”
“The courts in Virginia rarely take the side of the spouse that set their careers on hold to raise the family, like it or not. And our client was clear, she doesn’t want anything from Mr. Tovar, just her business and her son.”
“Alright, we’ll play it your way,” Finn agreed.
Now it was Hailey’s turn to stand, and she checked her watch.
