Page 111 of The Irresistible One
“I can only assume one thing. The question is, are you interested in working at The Dalton Group?”
I sat up straighter.
Am I interested?
There wasn’t a firm in California that was moreprestigious and sought after than The Dalton Group. After we had graduated from law school and we were studying for the bar, Troy had told me he was applying there to the only position they had available. I didn’t want to compete against family, so I had sent applications to other firms. I was extremely proud of the career path I’d taken, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to be part of the best.
“Let me ask this …” I tried to keep my heart rate down and was failing miserably. “Did you say something to him about my situation?”
He chuckled. “Let’s put it this way: he fucking hated going up against you, and he said he would love to have a shark like you on his team. I happened to mention in passing that the opportunity could become possible.”
“I’m partner, Troy. I don’t think they’re going to let me go. I think there are going to be ramifications from my actions, but I won’t be fired.”
“So?”
I nodded at no one; I was just trying to process while my mind spun in every direction. “So, it’s not as simple as me walking out the door. I have lots of other accounts. I have?—”
“Anything can be simple. It’s you who decides how complicated you want to make things.”
I wished he didn’t have a point. But he did.
“Can I give Jenner your number?” he asked.
I squinted my eyes closed and took several deep breaths. “Yes.”
“Heads up, you’re going to hear from him soon.”
“How soon—” My voice cut off as another call came through. I pulled the phone away from my ear to check the caller ID. I didn’t have Jenner’s number saved in my personal phone, only my office cell, but I had to assume this was him. “I think he’s calling me right now.”
“That would be him, I’m sure. I just texted him.”
“Troy”—I could barely breathe—“what is even happening right now?”
“You’re getting exactly what you deserve. The plane is about to take off. I’ll call you when I land. Oh, and Sophie? Please say yes.”
The phone went dead, the screen showing only the new call coming through.
I tried to get my thoughts straight, my breathing under control, my voice back to its usual pitch as I said, “This is Sophie,” when I returned the phone to my ear.
“I assume you’ve been expecting my call.”
I wiggled out from under Abbi’s head and stood from the couch, making my way into the kitchen, away from the animated sounds of her tablet. With each step, I could feel my heart in my throat.
“Hi, Jenner. Yes, I have.”
“I’m going to get right to the point. A position has opened on our team. I want you to fill it.”
My hand went to my chest, and I leaned my back into the edge of the counter. “Jenner, I’m flattered. Truly. I don’t know how much Troy has told you, but I’m a partner at my current firm and?—”
“The offer I’m about to make you … you won’t be able to refuse.”
I didn’t have to hide my smile. He couldn’t see me. “I’m listening.”
“For one, I’ll double your current salary. And two, the amount you charge for billable hours, I’ll increase it by twenty-five percent.” He turned silent while the offer of a lifetime coiled through my mind. “Tell me, Ms. Rivers, do we have a deal?”
THIRTY-SEVEN
COLSON
