Page 7 of Lies You Told
I run my fingers through the soap suds, loving how it makes my skin feel silky. For the first time–in a long time–I wish I had someone I could be getting lost in right now. Sure, Kieran was good. He’s always good. But I need something more. Maybe it wasn’t such a great idea, letting Kieran fuck me after our session. It’s the first time I’ve let him in months.
I’ve reached all the goals I had for this time in my life and my career. I have a gorgeous Manhattan apartment with an amazing view of the city. I’ve finally been named Partner and have almost everyone's respect in the office.
I sip my wine, closing my eyes again. Something feels like it’s missing.
5
JAX
“The afternoon partner meeting has been canceled.”
That’s the third time this meeting has been cancelled in the last two weeks. “Let me know when Bryan gets in the office,” I say to my assistant. She’s my new assistant and way more competent than the temp I had at the end of last week. I insisted on hiring her myself this time. I know what I want, what I expect! That’s someone who works hard, understands the job, and can make my job easier. Not someone who thinks, fluttering her fake eyelashes at me and missing buttons on her work clothes. She’s been moved to Will Oakes’ floor. If I wanted that–which appears to be what some of the older guys here think–I’d have hired any old airhead. I don’t need an assistant for some ego boost. I need someone to make my hours in the office easier.
“His flight landed an hour ago. He’s heading to his hotel first, then here. I’ve booked you a table at your favorite restaurant.”
“Thanks,” I smile, genuinely meaning it.
She closes my office door behind her. My desktop computer pings and my attention immediately gravitates to my email.
Ilose track of time reading through a contract, engrossed in work, when there’s a small knock on the door before it slowly opens, Bryan's head poking through. He shuts the door, walking across my office towards my desk.
I sit back in my chair, smiling, glad to be seeing my friend and mentor. It’s been too long.
“You settling in okay?” he asks, getting comfy in the black leather armchair. “I wanted to be here your first week, but stuff kept me in the Miami office.”
“It’s okay. I’m a big boy. I don’t need you holding my hand on the first day of school.” I said, eyebrows raised, fighting back a smile. Bryan was a mentor to me when I interned at his Miami office as a fresh-faced, cocky asshole right out of college. That summer, he got me to grow up better than any other male role model in my life has–or lack thereof.
“You have any push-back?”
“Only what we were expecting,” I say. When Bryan offered me a promotion and a new start in New York, he also wanted me to act as his spy here. The partners have been bothered about things they’ve heard from other lawyers, lower down the ladder, about some bad apples.
We both look at the floor-to-ceiling glass window near my desk. The office is bustling with energy, but one of the Managing Partners is standing on the other side of the room looking at us in my office. “Like I said, just what we were expecting.”
We walk across the Italian restaurant, which is still busy, even for mid-week. Every night is busy in this city. There’s always something to do. This is why I’m a city boy at heart. I couldn’t handle small-town life. That is just not my rhythm.
A laugh pulls my attention to the two women a couple of tables across, and I smile. Bryan walks right into me, thanks to my abrupt stop.
“I’ll meet you at the table.” I nod my head at the table. “I’ve just seen someone I've not seen since college.” Okay, that’s a lie, but a one-hour meeting in a decade doesn’t really count. Franchesca, I haven’t seen in months either. Bryan doesn’t need to know about Chloe just yet.
Bryan pats me on the back, laughing as the hostess takes him to our table, which I see is not far from the girls.
Chloe sees me first since she’s facing my direction and instantly stops with her glass midway to her mouth. A flush coming over her cheeks.
“What…” Franchesca says, turning around and seeing me come up behind her. “Oh, my god. Jaxson Hill as I live and breathe.” She smiles, putting her napkin on the table before standing up and wrapping her arms around me.
“Good to see you, Frankie.”
“Please, you know I hate that name. You know you're the only ass who calls me that.”
I look over at Chloe and see her eyeing me. Franchesca turns to see where I’m looking and laughs. “Chloe, don’t be rude.”
Now she’s glaring at Franchesca.
“Have you forgotten who he’s representing?” She says, taking a big gulp of her wine. Interesting. I seem to be making her nervous.
If looks could kill.
“Chloe,” her friend grumbles.
