* * *
On Wednesday morning, Dee headed to the conference room for the big meeting her boss had scheduled to announce the firm’s new partner. Because it was the one they used for clients, it had fancy bookshelves along both walls, thick carpet, and recessed lighting. For luck, she’d worn her burgundy power suit. She also kept her fingers crossed under the antique table.
The new partner had better be me.
She’d pulled more all-nighters than anyone else, and battling bronchitis on too little sleep had left her feeling like the walking dead. After being dumped by Rodney, she needed something to lift her back up. She’d cried so much the last few days, the skin around her eyes looked like puffy caterpillars. The nasty things she’d said to him didn’t help, either. She should have been bigger than that.
At least he’d had the decency to break up with her in person, but it didn’t make sense. It was so abrupt. His eyes and words had told her he still loved her, so why? She should’ve known a relationship with a Southern rocker would never last. Especially one with a soft spot for his messed up pissant of a little brother.
Rodney’s problem was being too nice. And she couldn’t help loving him for it.
The conference room chatter finally died down when Barry strolled in and sat at the head of the table. He gave a long spiel about the history of the firm and where he wanted it to go.
Just get on with it. Take away my pain for a while.
“I’m pleased to announce our new partner, Richard Clemson.”
Richard… Not me. What the hell?
Dee gripped her pen hard enough to break it in half as she shot a hurt glare in Barry’s direction. Of course, she wasn’t totally surprised he’d chosen a man. He was definitely sexist.
Dumped twice in one week. Could this really be happening? She just wanted to crawl underneath the table, curl into a little ball, and die.
Instead, she left the room before she could say something she’d regret. She closed the door to her office and glared at her pile of work, which blurred before her eyes. How could she ever get it done when she wouldn’t be able to concentrate on it the rest of the day? Maybe even the rest of the year?
She’d promised to tell her parents whether she got the promotion or not, so she took out her cell phone and called them.
“I didn’t get it,” she blurted out as soon as her father answered.
“I’m sorry. Maybe you should run for office after all.”
“I can’t afford to.”
“Then come back here where housing is cheaper and be a public defender again,” he said.
“It’s not that.” Should she tell them? “I… Well, I need financial security so I can take care of you all when you get old.”
They’d also given her some big shoes to fill. Because they’d helped society, she couldn’t settle for being a corporate lawyer. Working at a firm specializing in civil rights was supposed to give her both security and meaning.
His sharp laugh crackled through the phone. “Little girl, we have a lot of friends here. We can take care of ourselves.” His voice turned serious again. “Don’t tell me you’ve been slaving away at your job for us.”
“I guess so. Partly, anyway.”
His sigh crackled, too. “Dee, the best gift you can give us is to take care of yourself and live a happy life. That’s all we want.”
After they ended the call, confusion spun through her mind as she wondered what to do with the rest of her life. If she ran for public office, she’d probably get a salary cut and, even worse, lose her steady income. But trying to make partner wasn’t exactly secure, either. It was so competitive, and she’d heard of people who didn’t make it getting squeezed out of their jobs.
She rested her head on a stack of folders until the ringing of her phone made her jump. Please, not a client. Not now. Rodney? No, he wouldn’t call on her office phone.
“Hello?”
“Hi, beautiful lady. Did I catch you at a bad time?” Ted’s voice put a smile on her face the way nothing else could right now.
“No, you caught me at the perfect time. What’s up?” she asked.
“If you’re interested in running for attorney general of D.C., you need to file and announce your intention now, or you’ll have to wait until the next election in four years.” He paused. “No pressure. Just thought I’d remind you in case you’re still on the fence.”
“Believe me, I’d love to, but I can’t afford a big salary cut.”
“You can’t live on close to 200 grand per year?”
“That much?” Dee almost swallowed her tongue. “Let’s do it.”
His smile came through the line. “Really? Are you sure?”
“Yeah.” She combed her fingers through her curls. “I’ll look over my notes from our last meeting tonight.”
“Over dinner?” he asked hopefully.
Her heart skipped a beat. What better way to get back at Rodney than jump into the arms of another man? But she wasn’t ready. She may never be ready. Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to lead Ted on.
“I’m sorry, Ted, but I can’t. Can we handle things by phone?”
“Most of it,” he said easily. “But there’s another charity ball Saturday night. It would be the perfect venue for announcing your candidacy as attorney general.”
“Great. I’ll be there.” Nothing could soothe a girl’s soul like slaying the crowd with a fancy dress and designer shoes.
Ted paused. “I’d like to be your escort. No strings.”
“Sounds good,” she said. “Thanks for not forgetting me.”
“You’re a pretty unforgettable woman, Dee. I’ll be in touch.”
After the call ended, she took an aspirin and considered going home sick the rest of the day. Too much was happening at once. She had to process it. When Barry knocked, she
