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“I flagged it too. I think we need something stronger. The IP is main asset we’re buying here. I’ll redraft it.”
He gave as short nod and moved on. He trusted my judgment implicitly and I thrilled.
“What about the litigation reps?” He frowned, scanning the next page. “I tried to rewrite but I don’t love it.”
“Let me take a look.”
I got up and bent my head over his markup, reading his neat scrawl. His breath ruffled my hair and his nearness made my blood heat, but we stayed focused.
“I would change that last sentence. We should be capturing pending and threatened litigation too. They only scheduled out current litigation.”
“Ah. Good catch.” He gave me one of his heart-stopping smiles and made the revision.
I could get used to this.His approval, his brilliance, his wit. I wanted it all to myself. I was greedy for every hour I spent with him. I wanted to extend this deal, wanted our time together to last.
And I thought he wanted the same. When he thought I wasn’t looking, there was softness in his gaze, appreciation. His compliments made my heart skip and they were given freely. In his eyes, I felt like the most beautiful and accomplished woman in the world.
Like now, his smile fading slowly as his gaze moved over my face.
“Margo, I...”
The phone shrilled and I jumped.
“Spencer. Fuck.” He voiced what we were both thinking.
He answered. “Andrew Markman.” He was using his client voice. The voice that brooked no argument, sure, commanding. God it was hot. Maybe after this call was done I could show him just how hot I thought it was.
“What the fuck is that email I just got?”
Spencer’s words were like ice on my spine.
Andrew’s look was questioning. I gave a short nod. I had sent an email just thirty minutes ago on timing for the updated draft, since Spencer was getting antsy. Andrew and I had been trading off on dealing with him.
“What email?”
“God, you guys are asleep at the wheel.” His nasally voice grated.
“What. Email?” Andrew’s face was stony.
“The one she just sent me.”
There was little doubt as to whoshewas and I grimaced. Spencer had no idea we shared an office and clearly he felt he could speak freely.
“What’s the issue?” Andrew’s voice was low and angry.
“What the fuck is this timing?”
Andrew and I had discussed the timing for the next draft, just like we discussed everything on the deal. We were fully aligned. But Spencer didn’t know that. He clearly wanted Andrew to throw me under the bus and a thread of doubt wormed into me. Old Andrew would have leapt at this opportunity.
“It’s the best we can do. Margo and I discussed and the next draft won’t be ready until tomorrow.” Andrew held firm, even where I would have wavered. Angry clients always made me nervous and uncertain.
“This is not acceptable.” Spencer’s voice was rising. “She needs to work faster. You need to take her in hand and get this figured out.”
My stomach bottomed out and my fists clenched. This guy was such an asshole, assuming Andrew was senior to me, assuming things were my fault. I could see Andrew’s expression shuttering more and more. His jaw was tight and when he spoke, his voice was icy.
“And why would I do that? She’s the lead attorney on this deal and if you have an issue, you can tell her yourself.”
My jaw dropped. You did not speak to clients like that. Not to mention the fact that it wasn’t exactly true. My heart soared at Andrew’s support of me.
