Do You Take This Man (6)

“Yes. I always have condoms handy.” The woman at the counter did a double take before looking away. “Are you worried I’ll go soft being around the weddings?”

Eric barked a laugh. “No. Do you even have a soft setting?”

I knew why he asked. You couldn’t look soft in this job, especially as a woman and definitely as a Black woman. We had to seem intimidating to co-counsel, but not to the judge or jury; we had to convey not only competence but unassailable ruthlessness on behalf of our clients. So maybe having this brief escape where I could be a little soft was a novelty.

I lifted one shoulder. “I only agreed to do them through the end of the summer,” I said. “It’s mostly people connected to Alejandro or the firm. Children of clients. That kind of thing.” Also, several people who Penny talked me into. She was my favorite of the wedding planners I’d worked with, and we’d met shortly after the viral video when the officiant for a real estate developer represented by our firm had to cancel at the last minute. Penny won me over immediately with a no-nonsense approach and a good sense of humor. Penny, who I normally adored, was now on my shit list for hiring that asshole cousin of hers who I ran into in the parking lot.

Eric looked unconvinced, and I added, “Most people spend a few hours a week on a hobby or loved ones.” I shrugged again. “Consider this my puppy.”

“There’s a reason most junior associates don’t have dogs,” he said, but smiled. Eric had a pleasant smile, the reassuring kind. “I know you’re on top of it, though.”

Fifteen minutes later, we hurried back into the building, Eric needing to make a call and me eager to get back to work. I waved as Eric took off toward the stairs, wanting to get the workout, then turned to the elevator, but someone obscured my path and we slammed into each other. My sandwich fell as I stumbled, but another hand saved it from the floor.

“Sorry,” I said, taking a step back and glancing at the sandwich before meeting the man’s face. I noticed his shoes before I saw him. Stylish, but not overly fancy. “Sorry,” I repeated, straightening. “I—”

“We really need to stop meeting like this,” he said, still holding my sandwich in his large, not completely unattractive hand.

“What are you doing here?” I held out my palm to take the sandwich, but he ignored me.

“Well, it’s a law firm.” He gestured around the lobby. “I’m meeting with a lawyer.”

I held out my hand again, moving it toward his, though he didn’t budge.

“Glad to run into you, though. Could we discuss your availability to perform my client’s wedding?”

We can discuss hell freezing over, but it will be a quick conversation. “I’m not taking on any new couples. Penny knows that.”

“We got off on the wrong foot, but my client would really love to work with you. I watched some of your videos and you’re an impressive speaker.” He smiled this kind of charming frat boy smile, and I fought the urge to kick him. I didn’t because I was an adult and a professional . . . and there were cameras in the lobby.

“I’m busy,” I said, making a last motion for my sandwich. “You, once again, seem not to know the meaning of that word.”

“I am crystal clear on the meaning,” he said, obviously faking his charming smile now. “I also wanted to apologize again for the other day, and since we are both standing here anyway, we could—”

I dragged my eyes from him, noticing Gretchen striding toward us, her heels clicking on the tile floor. Shit. I had a sudden blast of panic about all the things I should have been doing in my office instead of going to lunch with Eric and getting waylaid by this guy. Gretchen had made it clear she wasn’t supportive of the wedding thing, that it could in no way interfere with my work, so I really didn’t need her to catch me talking to this wedding planner. I made a grab for my sandwich as she stopped.

“Lear,” she said, a wide smile brightening her entire expression. She opened her arms and pulled him into a hug. “You’re early.”

I stood by, stunned, as Gretchen smiled, held him by both shoulders, and hugged him again. I’d barely ever seen her smile, let alone emote like this.

“You can’t stomach tardiness,” he joked, pulling away from her.

“I absolutely cannot,” she said, dropping her hands and glancing over to me. “RJ, this is Lear Campbell, my best friend’s younger brother. Lear, RJ Brooks is one of our top associates. You’ve met?”

Lear’s eyes fell on me, and I had the sudden worry I’d forgotten to get dressed that morning and that he was looking at me naked, and the idea wasn’t completely unpleasant.

When I didn’t speak up, he did, and I kicked myself again. “Yes. I’m working with my cousin planning weddings now. Ms. Brooks was so kind to give me a moment of her time. I’m trying to talk her into working with me.”

Gretchen arched an eyebrow. “Well, if you’re doing weddings, you can’t do better than working with someone like Lear.”

She smiled warmly at him, and my cheeks heated. Shit. How do I turn him down now?

He had a dimple, a small one in his annoyingly handsome cheek, and it popped when he smiled. “Is email or a phone call best?”

I gritted my teeth. “Your cousin can give you my phone number.”