Page 16 of Forever Love-Reimagined

“Actually, yes. I have a client coming in around six o’clock tonight, but something came up, and I have to leave early today. Personal issue. I’m going to need you to cover it. It’s a basic trust. This is the initial intake, so you have to get their asset information and who the grantor and beneficiaries will be. You’re aware of what info to get, right?” His condescending tone was enough to cause a fire inside me, but I managed to tamp it down before exploding.

“Of course. That’s what I get paid for.” I hoped he couldn’t hear the contempt in my voice.

“Great. I’ll draw up the document for them and see it through; you won’t have to worry about that. I’m sorry to spring this on you, but since you are the newest partner… you understand.” He sat there with a smug grin as if waiting for me to argue.

“I get it. And I’m more than happy to cover for you tonight. I hope you’re able to handle your personal matter.” I stood up as if to signify this little chat was over. He seemed to get my drift and followed suit.

“Since I’ll be working late tonight, I should probably grab some food. So, if there isn’t anything else…” I let that hang there, hoping he would take the hint to leave.

He headed toward the door while I leaned against my desk, arms folded across my chest. “No. That’s all. I should be back tomorrow, and we can discuss it then. I’ll have my assistant contact yours to schedule a time that will work for both of us.”

With that, he exited my office, and I let out a sigh mixed with “Woosa” again, but it wasn’t helping.

I went to find Ty sitting at his desk, talking on the phone. “Yeah, okay. Yes, I’ll check her schedule, certainly. Okay. I’ll put you down for Thursday the 24th. Toodles.”

“Toodles? Are you a ten-year-old girl? Who in God’s name says ‘toodles’? What was that even for?”

“Don’t hate me.” He held up his hands, and I realized my day was about to get worse.

“Don’t make me hate you, and I won’t.” I had lost all patience after holding back so much with Greg.

“I’m sorry. It was your mom again, and you have a lunch date set up with her in a couple of weeks. Maybe you should call her more. She said she misses you.” He let out a manic laugh, and I wanted nothing more than to scream “fuck my life.”

“Whatever. That isn’t even worth a response. You can figure some excuse out later to cancel.”

“Blake. If you cancel, she’ll just call back. Why don’t you bite the bullet and get it over with? At least that should hold her off for a few months.” He was right, but that didn’t make it easier for me.

Seeing her every quarter was overkill. Once a year would do, and I could throw in a couple of cards.

“I don’t have time to get into my issues with Mommy Dearest. Don’t worry, I’ll figure out how to handle it.” Even though Ty was aware of some of the stuff my mom had said to me, I never let him see how much she actually wounded me. I was good at saving face and wouldn’t change that now.

“But let’s get out of here. It’s lunchtime, and since you’re my best friend, you’re coming with me.” I waved him on, and he hesitated. “Don’t worry, I’m buying.”

A huge smile crossed his face as he jumped up. “Okay, sounds good. I’m starving.”

“Well, you better eat a lot because Greg has us covering a late meeting while he takes care of a ‘personal issue.’”

“Personal issue, my ass,” Ty mumbled, and I pulled him out of the office so we could speak freely.

“What does that mean?” I asked once we were a safe distance from listening ears.

“Shelia told me he has a poker game tonight. And since he couldn’t bill much for the initial meeting, he wanted to dump it on someone. I didn’t realize that someone was you, but I should have. He doesn’t seem to like you much.” He shrugged. “But what can you do? So, where are we headed for lunch?”

“I can’t believe that guy. If I had known?—”

“I’m gonna stop you right there. If you’d known, you wouldn’t have done anything differently. You pretty much have to make nice because you’re still the low man on the totem pole. So, buck up, buttercup, and let’s grab some food. Something expensive to lessen our pain.”

I rolled my eyes. He had no shame whatsoever.

The sun was bright in the sky as we continued walking toward downtown. There were people everywhere fighting to get to their destination. An array of scents mingled together: street food mixed with exhaust and the occasional hint of blooming flowers.

“Do you ever want to leave New York?” I had no idea where that came from, but I had a thought of being somewhere less hectic—like a cabin in the woods.

“Not really. I mean, our entire life is here.” He looked at me questioningly.

“Yeah, but wouldn’t being out in the middle?—”

I was suddenly motionless, and the world was fading around me. Birds were chirping, and a cool breeze was blowing off a body of water… a lake. I looked around, and I was in the wilderness, alone, but she was present—the girl from my dream. I tried to speak, but my voice caught in my throat. I turned to see where she was. Who she was. But nothing.

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