Rascal (Rascals Book 1)(43)

“You’re not getting the associate position,” she told me, almost like she was trying to convince herself.

I looked at her, but I didn’t say anything. I knew enough about my co-worker to know that showing any sort of fear or nervousness would only hurt my standing with her. So I just stared back at her. What did she think she was going to accomplish? Eyeball me long enough that I’d just give up and quit? She obviously didn’t know me half as well as I knew her. I wasn’t giving up. I never would.

And she blinked first.

It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. I turned my attention back to my work, doing my best to ignore her. Letting out an exasperated sigh, she finally threw up her hands and walked away.

But her visit had rattled me. The fact that both her and Bryce were so nervous about getting their results made me nervous about my own. Studying for the test had consumed my whole life; I’d barely come up for air for months before the exams. But the minute I walked out of the testing hall, I had done my best to put it out of my mind. I had done all I could do up to that point and reasoned that worrying about my results would only stress me out. So I had focused on my work, and that had turned out OK.

Except now, all I could think about was the results. And I really didn’t have time for another distraction. Emerson was bad enough, but stressing about something I had no control over was even worse.

It was late in the afternoon when we were all called into a meeting with Laney. We had managed to get that temporary restraining order on her soon-to-be ex-husband after he had drained their joint account, but now his lawyers were offering to accelerate the divorce proceedings if our client took less than a fifty-fifty split of their assets.

I sat at the edge of the room, taking notes while Arthur explained the offer to our client. She looked exhausted, and I could only imagine the toll the whole ordeal was taking on her. She had been dragged through the mud by her ex—not just via lawyers, but in the press as well. No doubt she was getting tired of hearing herself referred to as a gold-digger slut.

It obviously didn’t matter to anyone that it was her husband who had cheated—and with his secretary, no less—and that she was only asking for what was rightfully hers. The whole thing was terribly unfair, and I found myself secretly annoyed that the partners were recommending that she take the settlement. She deserved better.

“The partners and I have gone over the offer, and we think it is worth considering. It is the best option if you are looking to end this whole ordeal quickly,” Arthur was telling her. “You’d be able to cover your expenses and have a nice nest egg to start over. Leave all of this behind.”

Our client seemed overwhelmed by everything, and I really couldn’t blame her.

“It just doesn’t seem fair,” she said quietly.

“Your ex-husband has made it clear that he is willing to go to court over this,” Arthur continued. “Which could drag this on for months. Years, even. This could be your best option.”

“What do you think?” Laney asked, and it took a moment for me to realize that she had directed the question at me.

All eyes swiveled in my direction. Arthur looked surprised, but everyone else looked pissed. I couldn’t really blame them—as far as the office hierarchy went, I was a nobody. No doubt everyone was wondering why our client was asking me for my opinion.

“Alex?” Arthur prompted, giving me permission to speak.

I took a deep breath as I considered my options. Tell them what I really thought or toe the company line? Fuck.

“I know that this process has been exhausting and draining,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “And your ex-husband will try to drag this out for as long as possible. But, I believe that a fifty-fifty split—which you are entitled to—is worth the fight.”

There was a disapproving murmur through the room. Double fuck. Across the room, Lucinda looked positively thrilled that I was such a complete and utter moron. Bryce just looked confused.

“Thank you for your thoughts, Alex,” Arthur finally said, dismissing all of us.

I headed back to my desk, kicking myself. Never mind the bar results, I’d just torpedoed my chances here at the firm all on my own.



An hour later I was called to Arthur’s office.

Stomach in my feet, I headed over there, ignoring Lucinda’s chuckle. When I arrived, I found, to my great displeasure, that all of the partners were there waiting for me. Triple fuck. Quadruple fuck.

“Sit down,” Arthur said, looking more solemn than usual.

I did as I was told, keeping my hands clasped in my lap. I really hoped they wouldn’t draw this out so I could head home and drown my sorrows in a bottle of cheap wine, because I certainly wouldn’t be able to afford the good stuff anymore. Not like I really had ever been able to afford the good stuff. Just the sort-of-good stuff. But it was just going to be Two-Buck Chuck from now on.

“Laney called a few minutes ago,” Arthur informed me. “She decided to refuse the settlement. She wanted to keep fighting for an equal split.”

I was glad that she had made that decision, but apparently the partners weren’t.

“It was very clear from this afternoon’s meeting, as well as our conversation with her, that she took your advice very seriously,” Arthur continued, while all the partners stared at me silently. “We were wondering if you had anything you’d like to say for yourself. If you’d like to explain your relationship with the client and why she seems to rely so heavily upon your recommendation.”