self-help books and co-authored two psychology textbooks. And his parents came from money.”
“Really. I had no idea.”
“He doesn’t make a big deal of it, which I love. So tell me the plan.”
“Ethan said to start with a bang. Impressive offices with a legal secretary, advertising, memberships, branding… He’s had it all plotted out for months in case I decided to pull the plug on WW&S.”
She stopped gushing when she noticed Beth’s smile.
“What?”
“Wicked cool? You’re learning.”
Lanie shook her head as they both laughed.
“Let me talk to Steven and call you tonight.”
“You’re serious?”
“As a heart attack. I’ve been thinking of leaving ever since pervy Walt cornered me in the law library and brushed up against my boobs,” as she spoke she raised her hands and made air quotes, “by accident. What a pig!”
“He came by his name honestly, it seems. He is so disgusting. Did you tell Steven?”
She squirmed in her seat. “I told him eventually and he paddled my ass for keeping it from him. He also demanded I file harassment charges against him, which I’ve yet to do. So, if he’s good with the investment, Anderson v Simons can be our first case.”
Beth flashed her million-dollar grin at Lanie, who responded in turn. “Fischer & Anderson, Attorneys at Law. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it, honey?”
“You don’t want to do alphabetical and make it Anderson & Fischer?” Lanie suggested equitably.
“No, it was your idea. Besides, we might get callers who think the Fischer is Ethan. That’s fine by me. He’s practically a celebrity in the legal community. If we can ride his coat tails to get started, I say we go for it. Don’t you?”
“Hell yes, but don’t mention it to him. He insists my success be on my own merit, but I plan to use and abuse him as much as I can. He can complain all the way to the bank. Oh, Beth, I can’t stand the wait. When can you call Steven and discuss the financials?”
She pulled out her phone and checked the time. “He should be out of class for lunch. How about now?” She dialed. As she filled in her husband, Lanie tried not to listen, but she couldn’t help it. After a brief ten-minute conversation, the partners of Boston’s newest law firm drank to their future success. It was a go.
Chapter Six
Tugging at her jacket, she smoothed the material and brushed at the few wrinkles on her pleated trousers. Linen was so hard to keep looking neat, but it was Calvin Klein and at half off, she couldn’t resist. Looking back, she wished she’d bought the blend instead. She reached up to straighten her collar, tucked in a few stray strands that had escaped her French twist, and then tugged at her jacket again.
“Quit fidgeting, Lanie. You look beautiful, as always.”
Not having realized her nervous restlessness was noticeable, she gave him a startled look and blinked. “I’ve never had dinner with a supreme court justice, Ethan. I have to admit I’m a bit tweaked.”
“You’ll like Raymond. He’s a very down to earth guy. In fact, I’ve heard the chief justice puts his robe on one sleeve at a time like everyone else.” He chuckled at his own little joke, but Lanie didn’t. Sure, he was the chief justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, not the highest court in the land, but it was still pretty darn impressive and to a fairly new lawyer, a little unnerving.
She found and plucked a loose thread from her jacket, her hands unable to remain still.
“You need to settle yourself. Try breathing in and counting to ten.”
“You know that holistic mumbo jumbo doesn’t work for me, Ethan. Maybe we should stop the elevator and you could fuck me right here. That’s the only thing that seems to settle my nerves.”
Silence encompassed the car. Inwardly, Lanie cringed as she replayed her words. What had gotten into her? Ethan’s arm reached out, his long finger extended and he pressed the stop button. An
“Really. I had no idea.”
“He doesn’t make a big deal of it, which I love. So tell me the plan.”
“Ethan said to start with a bang. Impressive offices with a legal secretary, advertising, memberships, branding… He’s had it all plotted out for months in case I decided to pull the plug on WW&S.”
She stopped gushing when she noticed Beth’s smile.
“What?”
“Wicked cool? You’re learning.”
Lanie shook her head as they both laughed.
“Let me talk to Steven and call you tonight.”
“You’re serious?”
“As a heart attack. I’ve been thinking of leaving ever since pervy Walt cornered me in the law library and brushed up against my boobs,” as she spoke she raised her hands and made air quotes, “by accident. What a pig!”
“He came by his name honestly, it seems. He is so disgusting. Did you tell Steven?”
She squirmed in her seat. “I told him eventually and he paddled my ass for keeping it from him. He also demanded I file harassment charges against him, which I’ve yet to do. So, if he’s good with the investment, Anderson v Simons can be our first case.”
Beth flashed her million-dollar grin at Lanie, who responded in turn. “Fischer & Anderson, Attorneys at Law. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it, honey?”
“You don’t want to do alphabetical and make it Anderson & Fischer?” Lanie suggested equitably.
“No, it was your idea. Besides, we might get callers who think the Fischer is Ethan. That’s fine by me. He’s practically a celebrity in the legal community. If we can ride his coat tails to get started, I say we go for it. Don’t you?”
“Hell yes, but don’t mention it to him. He insists my success be on my own merit, but I plan to use and abuse him as much as I can. He can complain all the way to the bank. Oh, Beth, I can’t stand the wait. When can you call Steven and discuss the financials?”
She pulled out her phone and checked the time. “He should be out of class for lunch. How about now?” She dialed. As she filled in her husband, Lanie tried not to listen, but she couldn’t help it. After a brief ten-minute conversation, the partners of Boston’s newest law firm drank to their future success. It was a go.
Chapter Six
Tugging at her jacket, she smoothed the material and brushed at the few wrinkles on her pleated trousers. Linen was so hard to keep looking neat, but it was Calvin Klein and at half off, she couldn’t resist. Looking back, she wished she’d bought the blend instead. She reached up to straighten her collar, tucked in a few stray strands that had escaped her French twist, and then tugged at her jacket again.
“Quit fidgeting, Lanie. You look beautiful, as always.”
Not having realized her nervous restlessness was noticeable, she gave him a startled look and blinked. “I’ve never had dinner with a supreme court justice, Ethan. I have to admit I’m a bit tweaked.”
“You’ll like Raymond. He’s a very down to earth guy. In fact, I’ve heard the chief justice puts his robe on one sleeve at a time like everyone else.” He chuckled at his own little joke, but Lanie didn’t. Sure, he was the chief justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, not the highest court in the land, but it was still pretty darn impressive and to a fairly new lawyer, a little unnerving.
She found and plucked a loose thread from her jacket, her hands unable to remain still.
“You need to settle yourself. Try breathing in and counting to ten.”
“You know that holistic mumbo jumbo doesn’t work for me, Ethan. Maybe we should stop the elevator and you could fuck me right here. That’s the only thing that seems to settle my nerves.”
Silence encompassed the car. Inwardly, Lanie cringed as she replayed her words. What had gotten into her? Ethan’s arm reached out, his long finger extended and he pressed the stop button. An
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