Page 21 of Rayne

I frown, checking the time on my watch. "No, I'm not. It's eight exactly."

"Right," he replies sternly. "I was here at seven-thirty. I expect my paralegal to be here before me."

I'm too tired and stressed for this bullshit. All I can muster is a quick nod, continuing my walk as I drop the containers onto the table in the center of the office. We have a designated staff table for everyone to use—sometimes for joint projects if the conference rooms are taken, or if we are having an office party. I line the containers next to each other, before a few colleagues race over to inspect the treats.

"You baked cupcakes?" Mary asks excitedly.

I love Mary. She's been here longer than the building, and by far the most senior of all legal secretaries. Her gray hair is always neatly pulled back into a bun, her tiny 4'11 frame dressed in some designer label that I can't afford.

"I did," I confirm, putting on a happy tone. "Happy Monday."

She looks up at someone approaching us from behind and as soon as I smell the cologne, I turn, spotting Nick.

"Cupcake?" I offer sweetly, gesturing to the containers.

He frowns, nose wrinkling. "I don't eat sugar."

"Your loss," Mary giggles, grabbing a pink cupcake and hobbling back to her desk.

Nick waits until she's out of earshot before thrusting some papers at me. "I need these filed with the Court this morning. I'll be heading off soon for my hearing. If Mrs. Giovanni calls, tell her I'll call her this afternoon. And if Mr. Martin turns up, I need you to get him to sign the settlement papers. They are in the file on my desk."

"Okay," I grunt, straightening the paperwork. "Do you need anything else done before you go?"

"Yes," he says, checking the time. "A coffee. Black."

He walks away before I can respond and I resist the urge to throw a stapler at his head. We don't fetch coffee and he knows it, but once again, his ego is so big I'm surprised he managed to get through the door.

I sigh, catching Mary's eye. She motions for me to go to her desk so I do, leaning down so she can whisper.

"I have some laxatives in my desk. You just have to slip one into the coffee and he'll probably shit himself in front of the Judge."

Snorting, I quickly cover my mouth. "Mary!"

"What?" she says innocently. "I remember what it's like working for those junior attorneys. I'd rather get my teeth pulled at the dentist without being numbed."

Luckily for Mary she works for one of the partners—Jason Burgston. In his forties, and clearly very young to be a partner, he's at least nicer than the baby attorneys. A no bullshit type of man who commands the room, but respects the hell out of his support staff.

I used to work for another attorney, but he left to work at another firm. Things were much simpler then. We had a great routine, understood and respected each other, and I enjoyed coming to the office. I was optimistic when he left that I'd be in good hands, but then Nick came along in his Gucci tie and shiny black shoes.

"Where's Jason?" I ask, noticing his office is empty.

"With a client downstairs," she remarks, clicking her mouse. "There's a partner meeting afterwards."

"Possible rumors about promotions."

I look over the partition to find Jenna listening to our conversation. A few years younger than me, she's also a legal secretary like Mary—albeit less experienced. But with Mary close by, she's in good hands.

"Great," I groan. "Is that why Nick is in such a twist this morning?"

Jenna's green eyes look over to Mary while nodding. "They only just told everyone this morning that it's happening. Secretly, I think they are trying to see how people react knowing the partners are coming. Change of attitude is a very obvious sign. No cap."

I tilt my head in confusion, gazing at Mary.

"It means no lie," she confirms and I laugh.

"You speak Gen Z?" I ask.

Jenna gawks at me. "You don't?"

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