Page 110 of Peppermint Bark

My shoulders hunched, ready for them to call security. It took a moment to recognize the wave of emotion that rolled through me …

Relief. Sweet, blissful relief.

“ … so you can take your rightful place as a partner.”

I forced an indifferent expression except for an arrogantly raised brow.

Entitled, Victoria had coached. I’d poured my blood, sweat, and tears into this company. I’d neglected my family, my health, my relationships. I’d walked away from the best thing I’d ever had because I’d earned this promotion. I hadn’t expected it today, but I wouldn’t let it show.

“It’s about fucking time,” I snickered.

Hamilton grinned in the proud dad expression I would have killed for three months ago, but now it raised my suspicions. “I told you he finally manned up. Those two were better than ever in New York.”

Is that why Victoria knew I wouldn’t get fired? Had she teased me because they’d already extended her an offer?

Houghton poured three glasses of bourbon. I pretended to drink mine but didn’t let it past my lips. I wanted to stay clear-headed, especially if they were lowering their guards.

“Is this retroactive? Will I get a partner stake for the merger?”

“What a shark. No fucking way.” Houghton grinned. “But we have another idea for how you can make us all even richer: Managing Partner of our new Entertainment Division.”

My heart dropped into my stomach. “You’re adding another practice area?”

Hamilton refilled their glasses. “We have ambitious plans to reach beyond nanotech and fintech. We’re poised to enter the next most lucrative market.”

He slid over an old photograph of me, Victoria, and Nick in his Mercutio costume from that evening’s production of Romeo & Juliet. I posted it on my Facebook profile before Nick’s career exploded and I left social media. My smile was wide enough to take over my whole face. Victoria glowed, her forehead smooth instead of creased with worry and her mouth relaxed Nick looked sweaty and eager after doing what he loved, with an affectionate arm around both our shoulders.

This was the answer to that question Mallory had asked.

This was the last time I’d been happy before I met Grace.

This job had sucked all the joy out of my life.

Hamilton’s voice jarred me out of my reverie. “The Partnership Committee was reviewing your file last month and found this photo from when you were hired. Of course, we didn’t think anything of it at the time, when he was a nobody.” He swished his bourbon. “Imagine our surprise that our senior associate already has an in.”

An in. Not a human, not my brother. An in.

This time I sipped the bourbon to stall, letting it burn down my throat.

“You should have disclosed that relationship,” Houghton chided. “We could have promoted you earlier.”

“Guess I could have skipped those eighty-hour weeks if you’d known my pedigree.” They laughed, missing the bitter edge of my voice.

I’d hustled to prove my worth apart from my brother and it hadn’t meant shit. None of it mattered now that they knew me as Dominic Martin’s brother — no, scratch that. They knew that ‘I have an in’ with him, and by proxy, his show’s cast, production staff, and network executives.

“If your business development efforts prove successful,” Hamilton continued, “you could be equity partner within five years. Your name on the door before you turn 40.”

Everything Victoria and I wanted, unfolding faster than we projected. The culmination of years of hard work within reach.

So why did I feel like shit?

“Hollywood is a young man’s game.” Hamilton pressed on, unaware of the sinking feeling in my chest. “We need a fresh face with an inside track and a beautiful woman who supports his aspirations.”

I almost choked. The only beautiful woman I wanted hid under the covers when my brother called.

I avoided Hamilton’s smarmy expression. Houghton assumed I was eyeballing the stack of papers because he slid them across the table. They sipped their bourbon as I flipped through them: Practice group leadership agreement. Los Angeles housing stipend. Business development goals. Sales quota and commission structure. Client signing bonuses.

I had negotiated the biggest mergers in this firm’s history and was one of the best goddamn acquisition lawyers in the state … but this wasn't a job description for an accomplished law partner, it was for a glorified salesperson. They expected me to throw out years of experience to shake hands with actors and producers, because of my fucking ‘in.’

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