Broken by Annie Jocoby

put in my time studying.
    “Wait. You haven’t answered me about the original question. When are you going to start interning for our firm?”
    I had to think fast. “Next week. Next Monday. No wait, I need to give notice to the bar. Two weeks. Tell the partners two weeks.” I was rambling, and I was searching for my coat and purse. I opened my purse to make sure that I had subway and cab fare, and seeing that I did, I closed my purse and put it on my shoulder. “I’ll call you.”
    “Not so fast. Stop. Let me call my driver to get you home.”
    I stood facing the door, feeling tears burning down my cheeks. Why this reaction? Why now? You were doing so well, Scotty.
    “No, really, I’m ok. I get around the city all the time on my own.”
    But Nick was already on the phone. He looked at me. “Charlie will be downstairs to take you home in five minutes.”
    “Thanks,” I said, opening the door. “Thanks for everything. Uh, I’ll see you Thursday evening in class.”
    Nick didn’t make a move to show me out, and I was grateful for this. But, as I made my way to the elevator and stood there waiting for the car to take me down to the lobby of the magnificent building, Nick peeked his head out the door. “Scotty. I’m holding you to it. In two weeks you start interning for our firm.”
    I nodded my head and said nothing. But, in my mind, I was desperately searching for a way out. For a way out of this building without being even more humiliated, and a way out of interning for Nick’s firm.
    Because if there was one thing that I knew at that point.
    Nick was getting way too close for comfort.
     

Chapter 9
    Nick
    Scotty had just left my apartment, beating another hasty retreat, much like she did in my office when I offered the intern position to her. But it wasn’t a turn-off for me. It made me intrigued about her. She was like a cornered animal, really, but if there was one thing that I knew about cornered animals, it’s that they react in the way that they do for one reason – fear. Scotty was afraid of me, and I had to know why.
    It was in my nature to rise to a challenge. But it was more than that. There was something about her that I found extremely appealing. She was more appealing to me than anybody had ever been, even Iris. It wasn’t just that she was beautiful and intelligent, although she was definitely both of those things. She had no idea how beautiful and intelligent she was, which, of course, made her even more beautiful and intelligent in my eyes. But beyond the surface was something else. Something that compelled me to get to know her better. She was wounded, and it automatically made me feel the need to protect her. Of course, I would be making myself vulnerable, which was scary in and of itself, so I still was very hesitant about pursuing it. But it seemed to be a risk that I would finally be willing to take.
    So, I decided to call Ryan and get his advice about her. I looked at the clock – it was around midnight here in New York, so eleven for him in Kansas City. On a Tuesday evening. It would be kinda rude for me to call him this late, but I really needed to get some advice from my most trusted friend.
    He picked up on the third ring. “Hey! What’s going on?” he said enthusiastically.
    “Nothing much. What’s up your way?”
    “The usual. Settling into my new house with Iris. Dealing with Dalilah. Trying to get the permits for our animal shelter. My daughter is scary intelligent. She’s going to put everyone to shame.”
    Hearing Iris’ name gave me the familiar pang, but it had lessened a great deal with time.
    “So,” he said. “It’s pretty late, so I assume that you’re calling for a reason.”
    “Yeah,” I said. But then suddenly thought better of it. “No, actually, I just wanted to say hi. See how you guys are doing.”
    “Well, buddy, I have to say. I am, by far, the happiest I have ever been in my life. I’m worried about you, though. I want you to be happy,