But classes were over for the summer, and if nothing else, I would at least be out of this house all day long for the next three months—and if his website photo was any indication—working with a guy who was the stuff of wet dreams. Not that I would ever try to take advantage of that.
Yay, me.
2
Tamsin
“I was under the impression you wished to match the executive compensation package with what Midwest offers its managers.” I was trying very hard to keep my tone even, but I had been going back and forth with our firm’s new client and seemed to be getting nowhere.
“I don’t know where you got that impression,” Mary Henderson, Midwest’s corporate liaison responded.
I ground my teeth and glanced longingly at the Rubik’s cube on the corner of my desk. It was a great way to destress. I could use that right about now.
“Where I got that was from the notes from our last meeting. Has Midwest now changed its mind about that?” i.e., had Mary Henderson now changed her mind about that—or been told to? Maintaining the current compensation package was definitely a plus for Pilot’s managers.
“Perhaps your assistant needs to take more accurate notes. I’m positive I instructed your people to make no changes.”
“I will have everything reworked and sent over by courier by the end of the day.”
An exasperated huff came through the line. “I should hope so.”
“Goodbye, Ms. Henderson.” I missed the days when it was possible to slam a phone back into its cradle. It was so much more civilized to press End but not nearly as emotionally satisfying as hearing that sharp click.
Leaning back in my chair, I looked around the spacious office with its tall windows and book-lined walls. I rubbed my hands over my face before twisting to the liquor cabinet behind me. It was nearly the end of the day, but it was definitely the end of my rope. What the fuck I had been thinking with this newest client.... I thunked the squat crystal glass on the counter and poured a jigger of bourbon into the bottom without finishing my thought. A toast to the most annoying Big Client I had ever had the misfortune to sign.
When Midwest’s representative had first contacted me, I had thought we would have plenty of time to handle the case. It was a fairly straightforward acquisition of a smaller company with the normal restructuring of personnel and resources that always followed. Normally, I would have had plenty of room in my schedule, but there was nothing normal about this client.
I tossed back part of the bourbon and picked up the Rubik’s cube, absently twisting it out of configuration then flipping and spinning the segments. In less than fifteen seconds I had it solved. I was slowing down from my tournament days. I put it back and picked up the bourbon.
Midwest’s primary liaison, Mary Henderson, was the fussiest, most frustrating client rep or customer I’d ever had...and that included the time I spent working the fast food drive-through when I was a teenager.
Nevertheless, completion of the acquisition and restructuring would mean a several-hundred-thousand-dollar addition to the bottom line of Tamsin & Jones, a good chunk of which would end up in my pocket.
The firm’s reputation in corporate law was stellar. We had handled the mergers of several food giants and media conglomerates. Our reputation could easily withstand dumping this client, but that was so not my style. I would deliver on what I had promised and then tell Midwest and Mary Henderson to kiss my ass. It might mean a lot of extra work for our staff over the next few months, so I was prepared for some grumbling, especially since we were hitting summer, when a lot of people wanted to take their family vacations.
They wouldn’t grumble when they got their end-of-the-year bonuses, though, and successfully managing this merger would ensure everyone got an extra payday.
I was swirling the honey-colored bourbon and appreciating the aroma when my office door opened to admit my assistant, Gabby. One glance at me and the glass in my hand had her arching a perfectly shaped eyebrow.
“Another round with Midwest’s chief barracuda?” she asked. She set a stack of files on the corner of my desk in preparation for Monday morning. “I think you might have made a mistake with that one, boss.”
I tossed the bourbon back, done with appreciating its finer points and ready for the bite as it slid down my throat.
“Fuck me. Don’t I know it.”
Gabby propped a hip against the corner of the desk, and tucked a dark curl behind her ear. “I’ve got a date tonight, boss man, so I can’t stay too much longer. You want to run down some of what’s on the agenda for next week?”
I poured another jigger of bourbon. I’d told my driver to pick me up at seven to take me to the Club, so no need to worry about driving.
“Go for it.”
“Okay.” Gabby seated herself in one of the leather chairs across from my desk and crossed long, elegant legs. “I’ve already loaded your appointments into your calendar. You have a hearing before Judge Harrison first thing on the trademark infringement case. Ten a.m. appointment here in the office. Following that, I’ve left a half hour vacant for you to sit down with the new intern.”
I nodded. “Thanks. I forgot the kid started Monday. Not really sure why Jones decided to go with the pre-law undergrad, but I guess I’ll find out, huh?”
Gabby shrugged. “His grades are excellent. Jones actually left me to make the decision, and I thought it was worth taking the chance.”
I nodded. I put a lot of trust in her good judgment, and so far she hadn’t let me down. “I’m sure he’ll learn a lot.”
Gabby ran through the afternoon appointments. “The files are here on your desk in the order you’ll need them. You look tired, Tamsin.”
“It’s been a frustrating year. I know Jones is starting to look at retirement, and I’m just not sure if we have anyone already in house who can step into his shoes.”
She arched a brow. “There are a couple people who would love the chance. Maybe you can funnel more of the Midwest deal their way.”
I shook my head. “I’m not so sure about that. Mary Henderson will take careful handling, and she’s not going to be satisfied if she’s not meeting with me.” I leveled my gaze on Gabby. “I sure hope this kid you’re bringing in is as good as you think. From my perspective, this would have been the summer I could have used a second-year law student.”
She rose to her feet. “You won’t be disappointed. Have a wonderful weekend, Tamsin. And try to relax.” She laughed as she said the last, knowing it wasn’t in my nature.
“Thanks, Gabby. You too. Tell that hunky boyfriend of yours I’ll be happy to take him off your hands anytime.”
“Ev is too straight for your taste.”
After the door shut behind her, I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes. Until Gabby mentioned it, I had forgotten the new intern. I should have realized it with classes finishing up on campus this week. Normally, I loved having new interns around the office. They brought fresh ideas. Sure they might be a little idealistic at times, but even that was energizing.
I wasn’t going to second-guess Gabby. She must have seen something in the kid that made him stand out. Still, all of it began to feel like another albatross around my neck.