Page 53 of Don't Quit the Day Job

"Before you ask me if I'm taking you to a hotel, the answer is no. We're going to meet the CEO of a bank."

"Oh, what, is he going to just give us money or something? That would be cool."

"No, but he needs help getting money."

"What?" she asks.

"I'll explain to you tomorrow. I don't want to fill your head with too much information."

"I'm not a little kid. I can handle information in my brain."

"I know," I say. "But I wouldn't want you to think I'm overworking you in your first week."

"You don't care if you're overworking me. That's why you message me at night to get you bagels."

"Oh, about that," I say. "I need your phone number."

"What?" She looks at me in confusion. "Why?"

"Because I would like to be able to text you instead of email."

"I don't think that's needed," she says, laughing. "I don't need to give you any more access. Plus, I only get a limited amount of data."

"Really?" I say, staring at her.

She nods slowly, a wicked expression in her eyes, "Yep, so I don't really want to waste it on messaging back and forth with you about what I should or shouldn't be having ready for the next day."

"Then I guess I'll get you a work phone." I grin. "That way, you'll be available twenty-four seven and you don't have to worry about the data."

"But…" Her jaw drops. "I don't need a work phone. I'm only…"

"You’re only what?" I ask.

"I'm only an assistant. It's not like I'm running the company."

"No, but you do work for one of the managing partners, and as such," I pause, she rolls her eyes.

"And as such, I need to be available at any moment, et cetera, et cetera. La-di-da-di-da Pooh-Bye-Ah, Kum ba yah, my Lord," she says dramatically, and I can't stop myself from laughing. I can see why Lila is in the acting field. She is super dramatic, super over the top, and super funny. I feel slightly sad for a moment because I know that's where her heart lies, and as such, it's unrealistic to think that she'll work for me forever. In reality, I'll be lucky if she stays for the month, and maybe not just because I'd want to fire her, but maybe because she wouldn't feel like she was being engaged enough.

I realize then that I like the banter back and forth with her and she's not a bad assistant. Sure, she has no idea what she's doing and she doesn't really understand what it means to be a lawyer, but I kind of like having the yin to my yang, the devil's advocate on my shoulder, reminding me that sometimes representing a client is not just about helping them win. It's about the fairness of the situation as well. I swallow hard as that thought hits me. Have I lost my mind? Is Lila working a spell on me and I'm already losing focus on what my task should be as an attorney.

"Anyway," I say abruptly. "I have a phone call and I'll be busy for the rest of the afternoon, so please just take any messages. Unless, of course, Marie calls me." She looks up at me, a question in her eyes, but she doesn't ask it. “By the way, may I have your phone number, just in case I need to get in contact with you before your work phone arrives?”

“You can send me emails.”

“I’d like to be able to call or text, just in case it’s an emergency.”

“What sort of emergency?”

“Really Lila? Who can predict which emergencies are going to pop up?”

“Fine.” She reaches down for a piece of paper and scribbles her number on it. “You better not text me to fetch you dinner or anything.”

“Would I do that?” She nods enthusiastically and I can’t stop myself from snort laughing. She knows me too well. “Thanks.” I say as I take the paper from her. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

"Okay," she says. "Thank you again for the magnifying glass. It means a lot and I will strive to do my best detective work."

"I'm pretty sure that you will. Thank you." I nod and head right into my office and close the door behind me. Even though the walls are made of glass and I can see her sitting there, it feels nice to be back behind a barrier. It feels nice to be in my own space again. Lila Haversham is already under my skin and I don't know why. Maybe hiring her hadn't been the best decision. My assessment has nothing to do with the fact that she had no legal experience and everything to do with the way she’s making my heart feel.

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