Page 2 of Rayne

Unfortunately, despite my parents best intentions, sometimes things just don't work out like they should.

I dive into the paperwork, quickly finishing the brief before Nick comes back to rip my asshole with his giant ego. I manage to get it done within the time estimate and hand it to him, without receiving so much as a thank you.

The end of the day rolls around and I pack up, grabbing my bag as I head to meet up with Margot. Thirsty Thursday is a ritual for us now and I easily spot her at the restaurant, sitting in our usual booth.

"There you are," she beams, pushing a margarita towards me. "I was beginning to think you had gotten lost."

"Not likely," I laugh, reaching for the drink appreciatively. "Lots of deadlines today."

Margot sips her drink, her blue eyes scanning my face. We've been best friends since elementary school and she knows me better than I know myself.

"If you puke all over the table, I'll be taking photos," she teases, flicking her blonde hair behind her back.

I shake my head, throwing her a scolding look. "This is all your fault."

She laughs, shrugging. "I think getting out of your comfort zone will do you good. You're so uptight lately."

"Easy for you to say," I point out. "You didn't get selected."

Margot pouts, disappointed. "Don't remind me. I'm jealous. You get to be pleasured and spoiled by rich, hot men."

"Rich, yes. But how do we know they are hot?" I grumble. "What if I get picked by an eighty year old man?"

"Experience," she says nonchalantly. "You just have to look on the bright side of things."

I laugh, leaning back into the booth as the waiter comes over to take our order. "You always find the silver lining."

"No pun intended," she mumbles under her breath, ordering some onion rings.

I ignore her comment, a smile tugging on my lips. "I'll grab a bowl of fries with ranch. And another round of drinks, please."

When he's gone, I slouch, swirling my straw around the drink. "I guess it will be good to do something out of the ordinary."

"That's the spirit," Margot grins. "It's just one night. You can be whoever you want. Plus it's for a good cause."

I nod. "I told my parents," I pause, looking at her surprised and equally horrified look. "Not about that part — just the charity portion."

"Your parents would have a fit," she murmurs. "I wouldn't put it past your father to go guns blazing into the club."

"Oh, absolutely," I agree. "But we changed our Saturday dinner to tomorrow night instead. I had to tell them I couldn't make it because of a charity event."

Margot snorts. "I can imagine the panic you felt trying to explain it."

"I can handle legal pressure well. Trying to explain this… not so much."

"Well, I think you'll have a great time. I want to hear all about it. Who knows, maybe next year I'll be selected if they host it again."

Nodding, I quickly finish my drink as I spot the next round approaching. "Definitely. They would be lucky to have you. Except I fear for the man who picks you — they'd have to do a welfare check. I still remember the time you had sex with that guy on the building rooftop and you got locked out in just your underwear."

"Good memories," she reminisces fondly.

"Wilson, Cox and Hawthorne. This is Rayne speaking."

The person on the other line mumbles something about a cheating spouse, cursing multiple times while I jot down some details on a notepad. That's the flip side to working in family law, I get to hear all the juicy gossip. It's sad too, especially when children are involved, but I like to think I'm making a difference.

"I can organize an appointment for you to speak to one of our attorneys," I say, checking the calendars. "How does next Wednesday sound?"

More curse words not directed at me, but I finally manage to lock in a time for the person to speak to Nick. He'll be thrilled — he lives and eats this shit.

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