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Chapter 1
Blair
Walkingintothehotelballroom I am floored by how insanely gorgeous it is. It looks like something out of a fairytale. Huge trees reach skyward toward the cathedral ceilings, and moss and live plants drape one of the walls. The ceiling is glistening with lights that look like millions of tiny stars. Every table has an enormous floral arrangement packed with white roses, orchids and lilies.
My law firm, Quinn, Jacobs & Cowdery, definitely went all out for this company-wide dinner. The hotel itself – The Grove – is one of the most popular in the city. It’s my first time here and it’s hard not to gawk.
Ben Cowdery, one of the managing partners, is making the rounds in the massive room. I can easily spot his shaved head and six-foot-five frame.
I’m guessing his stepbrother, Ethan, is prowling around somewhere. My eyes scan the nearby tables, hoping he doesn’t creep up on me. Ethan has been nothing but a thorn in my side since my first day at the firm eight years ago, as an intern. Since then, I’ve secured my spot as a senior associate, but I’m aiming higher – I desperately want the partner position they’re announcing tonight.
“Has anyone seen Mr. Quinn?” a voice whispers. I’m not sure who at the table asked the question but there’s a collective murmur in answer. In my time at QJ&C, I have never set eyes on Joseph Quinn, the head managing partner and founder of the firm. The man seems to be a myth and I wonder for the umpteenth time how he remains an invisible partner.
Beneath the tablecloth, I wring my hands. The plate of food in front of me is almost untouched. A small piece of salmon and some greens. Some of the others at the table mention how amazing dinner tastes but I have no appetite and my stomach is twisted in knots.
What are the chances I’m actually getting this promotion tonight?
“Are you ready?”Barbara, one of the other senior associates, had whispered an hour ago. I’d been doing my part smiling and shaking hands, and greeting my interns – some of whom work from home and are only now seeing the opulence that the firm prefers.
“Ready for what?”I’d asked confused.
“You don’t know? I heard your name mentioned—it might be your year, Blair.”
My full name is Elizabeth Blair Morrison, but I go by Blair – never Elizabeth or Liz. Liz reminds me of a shy girl in high school who regularly got bullied. Who earned good grades and then faded into the background. Who passed on making the valedictorian speech out of pure dread.
Barbara’s words shocked me. Of course, I’ve been working my butt off for this promotion, but… I didn’t really think I had a shot. My money was on Scott, an associate one floor up from mine who had secured an enormous win for the company only a few months ago.
“What are you talking about?”I’d asked, clearly stunned at Barbara’s insinuation. But then Maggie, one of Barbara’s junior associates, backed her up. And then Andre… and then Priya, who was the assistant to Ben’s executive assistant, Claudia.
“Claudia was printing the name on the card, and I’m sure it was yours, Blair.”
The card that Ben Cowdery held right now, up on the stage at the front of the ballroom. A hush falls over the banquet hall and the lights on the outskirts dim. I’m closer to the front of the hall, able to see and scan the faces of those around me. My heart pounds like a drum in my chest.
Ihaddone a great job on the Haines account.
And I’d found the missing contract that sealed the deal for Cater & Co., one of the largest home-delivery businesses in the country. Without it, they would have lost the battle against one of their former employees.
Three months spent looking for that contract… maybe upper management noticed and wants to reward me? Please, Lord, let them have noticed…
Yes, this could totally happen. Ben knows I want this. I’ve brought it up to him numerous times.
“We want to thank you all for being here tonight,” Ben begins, a small, genuine smile on his face. Ethan, who is now sitting at my table, leans in and cuts into the beginning of the speech with a whisper.
“We know it’s hard to give up a Saturday night for your weekday job,” he says with a stupid grin on his face. He’s always looking for laughs.
Muffled laughter erupts from the table, a little too loud for the quality of the joke. I fight not to roll my eyes.
“As most of you know by now, one of our partners recently retired. We’ve had our eye on quite a few candidates to take up the position. But the senior associate who came out above all the rest has gone above and beyond in the last few years. This person has been willing to give up their free time, work long hours, and support teams outside of their own. They’ve handled each of their accounts efficiently and with great professionalism. Their quiet leadership approach effectively brings their team together in a way that makes everything run smoothly—”
My chest swells as Ben continues listing the virtues of the person they’ve chosen, and I realize: ithasto be me.
He’s describing me to a tee.
I scan the nearby tables, mentally ticking through the other senior associates and systematically crossing them off. Constance almost got fired this year after a mishap with one of the company’s largest accounts. Barbara is always complaining about having to take on extra hours and management clearly has an issue with that. Andrew is Ben’s nephew, and everyone knows he’ll have to work his butt off so it doesn’t look like nepotism if and when he gets promoted.
“Our next partner is—”
I push back my chair, stand up, and start to walk toward the stage, thinking about what I’m going to say…
