Page 42 of Back to You

“I’m going to make Brandon dinner. I hope. I’m going to try, anyway.”

“Well, don’t set anything on fire and you should be good to go.”

“You joke, but it’s a distinct possibility.”

“I’m proud of you,” Nia said. “You’re following through on your promises to Brandon. He needs that.”

“I know. I hate what I’ve put him through the last few months, but at least it’s over.”

“Just be sure to keep it that way.”

With that, Nia sauntered back out of his office, presumably on the way to end her day.

Ethan sat at his desk, making notes on one of his cases that he planned to hand over to a junior associate. He could get used to this delegating thing.

Just as he was getting ready to go, Cartwright bustled into his office. “Ah, Thompson, congrats on the promotion!”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Well-deserved, very well-deserved. You’ve really saved my ass a couple of times these past few months.”

“I appreciate that, sir. I’m proud of the work we’ve done.”

“Well, there’s always plenty more to do. We’re meeting up in the conference room in about 30 minutes about the Ortiz case.”

Ethan froze. “Sir, it’s 5 o’clock. I was getting ready to go home.”

“Really? That’s pretty unusual for you, isn’t it?”

“I know, but —”

“Don’t worry, this isn’t an every day thing. We just need to get this case nailed down better than it is now. I promise, we’ll have you out of here at a reasonable hour.”

Reasonable like 9? Ethan thought. He remembered Nia’s words: “You have to learn the word ‘no’.”

“I’m counting on you, Thompson. You’re my ace in the hole these days. You’re my hardest worker and best associate. This case is important, we need the best on it.”

Ethan felt himself waver. It was nice to be called the best associate, but … “Sir, I promised my partner I’d be home more.”

“And I’m sure you will be, but this is just one night. Come on, don’t you want to be part of this case? It’ll be one of the biggest projects the firm has going.”

Ethan frankly didn’t care much about that. He worked hard on every case he was given, regardless of how high-profile it was.

“Sir, I —”

“Thompson, just give me this one meeting. I need all hands on this one. You’ll be able to tell your partner you’ll be home more after tonight.”

Ethan worried that Brandon wouldn’t see it that way. But …

“Okay, sir, just tonight.”

“That’s the spirit! See you in the conference room, 30 minutes.”

Ethan sank into his chair as Cartwright headed down the hall, presumably to rain on the parade of more associates. He took out his phone and opened his messaging app, staring at the message thread with Brandon.

This was going to go over like a lead balloon.

Ethan: Hey, I’m really sorry to do this. There’s just a little hiccup with me getting off at 5 tonight. It’s just tonight, I swear. Cartwright told me he just needs me for this one meeting. I told him I’m cutting back. I’ll be home as soon as possible.

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