Page 18 of Trials of a One Night Stand
That’s the first time Gavin has mentioned my ex since we broke up. “Nope.”
“He’s invited to the wedding.”
“I assumed he would be.”
“We gave you a plus-one but not him.”
That’s…unexpected, given Gavin always seemed chummier with Colton than me. My guess is Ali had something to do with this, and I want to thank her. “I appreciate that.”
He opens his mouth as if to say something else, but another man enters the conference room. He’s young and struts to the end of the table, nodding to us as he goes. I’ve never seen him before, but he reminds me of a younger Colton. This guy probably still hangs out with his frat buddies on the weekend doing nose candy. He’s got that spoiled nepo-baby look about him.
Another guy shuffles in, his feet practically dragging on the floor and his shoulders hunched. He’s older with thinning gray hair that matched his mustache. His sleepy expression suggests he’d rather be anywhere but here. Granted, it’s early on a Saturday, and no one expected to be at work, so I’ll cut him some slack. As he takes the chair closest to the door, he pushes his glasses up his nose.
I’ve never seen him before either. Where have they been hiding these two? I get the feeling they aren’t part of the A-Team at the firm, which worries me.
I glance at Gavin, who gives me a closed-mouth smile.
Finally, Jason comes in and takes a seat. “We’re all here. I’ll cut to the chase. Jayne Everton will be the lead with Oliver Sinclair and Doug Randall on the team.”
I’m not sure who is who, but the younger guy straightened when Jason mentioned “Oliver” and the older man sighed at hearing “Doug.” The only problem is I’ve worked for the firm for more than a decade and have never heard these names. I read all the reports from the various offices in the firm to acquaint myself with what was going on and how I could move up, which has been my goal since I started fresh out of law school.
And one person at the table wasn’t mentioned. “What about Gavin?”
Jason smiles at him. “You get to hear the news first. Gavin is our newest partner, and he’ll be your go-to if you run into any issues. He’s the one who suggested you take the lead, Jayne, given your background.”
We all have our JDs and experience, so I don’t know what he meant by that. “My background?”
Gavin nods. “You majored in chemistry, right?”
Close, but… “I double majored in chemistry and biology.”
“And did the pre-law curriculum too.” Jason whistles. “Impressive and exactly what our new client needs. Someone who understands science. You’ll be perfect.”
I don’t see why my undergraduate degree matters that much. It all sounds like hot air to me. “So who’s the client?”
“Sugar Valley Drugs.” Jason sits back in his chair. “They claim Zentello Pharmaceuticals stole a product from them, and they want compensation.”
I’ve never heard of Sugar Valley Drugs, but Zentello is local and giant. This will be interesting if the product isn’t their latest one, Orchid. That drug is too high-profile and talked about everywhere—from women here at the firm to moms across the globe. Several of my friends swear by Orchid and claim the pill is life-changing. I’d been considering taking it until Colton dumped me as I believed I was the problem not being able to orgasm. Turns out I can get myself there without taking a pill to enhance my sexual pleasure, and last night, Nathaniel showed me a man could get me there too.
“Our client filed the lawsuit in Oregon Federal Court, but Zentello will most likely file a motion for change of venue since they’re based in Seattle. We believe that motion will be granted, so only the preliminary hearing will be held in Portland before you’re all back here.”
That makes sense. Not that location matters. Since the breakup and Colton’s promotion, I’m getting used to being a legal nomad.
“What product is our client questioning?” the young guy, who I think is Oliver, asks.
“Orchid.”
Fuck. That means this will come with media coverage and high pressure, even more than what we usually see in bigger cases. Legal analysts, from news channels to social media, will follow it and critique whatever we do—right or wrong. Either I’m as good as I think I am or someone is setting me up to fail.
CHAPTER FIVE
NATE
It’s been more than a month since my one-night stand with Jayne, yet she keeps popping into my brain at the strangest times. I mean, I’m sitting at my desk at Zentello, the last place mind-blowing chemistry should enter my mind, yet…
Focus, Lowe.
I need to, but it’s hard to do when my dick wants more of her luscious deliciousness. I even went back to that bar the past two Friday nights on the off chance she’d be there. She wasn’t, and the same bartender who’d served us said he hadn’t seen her since the night we met. That tells me I need to let it go. Well, her…
