Page 14 of In a Pinch

Moving to the front of the room, I address the class. “Next week, we will move on to safe temperatures with cooking. Isla, that should help you not poison Cal.”

“We can only hope,” Addie pokes fun at Isla, and my smile breaks away before I can stop it. As much as I hate to admit it, she’s kind of funny. You know, when I'm not on the receiving end of her sarcasm.

The class slowly starts to leave, and I pack everything up. My mind wanders as I clean up, and every time, it goes back to Addie’s bright green eyes and the sound of her laugh.

As I make my way out the building, I dismiss the thought and bring it back to important things, like making it through the next few weeks without screwing up this opportunity.

Chapter Seven

Addie

My first day rolls around before I know it. The paperwork and onboarding process went faster and smoother than I had expected last week. So, I get to start early. I’m hoping that’s a good sign.

I roll out of bed and sit with my legs dangling over the edge. Stretching my hands above my head, I feel the nerves settle in. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve started a new job. Realistically, it's been a while since I started a new anything.

Grabbing my phone off the nightstand, I click the side button and smile at the family group chat message that lights up my screen. Both of my sisters and even my little brother sound off in an array of good luck messages. I’m pretty lucky to have them in my corner.

Grabbing my first day outfit choices off the dresser, I make my way to the shower. I hang my clothes on the back of the shower door so the steam from my shower will loosen any of the wrinkles that might be there. Can’t be going to work looking a mess on the first day.

I probably should have washed my hair yesterday instead of today, because taming my mane and making it to work on time are two things that usually never coincide. My hair has some natural curl to it, which almost always makes me feel like a frizzy mess.

Doing what I call a power shower, I get all squeaky clean and out of the shower in less than ten minutes. Wrapping my towel around my chest, I pull out my blow dryer and makeup bag. I unpacked as little as possible, hoping to be out of Isla and Cal’s love bubble after the first couple of paychecks hit.

Hearing a faint knock, I make my way to my door. Pulling it open, I see Isla standing at the door with a shit-eating grin and a large coffee.

“Happy first day, bestie! I got you a celebratory latte. As all good days start with a good cup of coffee first.”

“You shouldn’t have. Thank you so much.” It's been a year since she and I have lived close together. We’ve never lived quite this close, but as eager as I am to have my own space, I can’t lie, it is nice having your best friend at arm’s reach. Especially when your nerves are viciously attacking you.

“Did you decide on the power suit?”

She calls it a power suit because she said, and I quote, “You look like a bad bitch in that. You have to wear it.” The bottoms are a taupe color that fit the flare of my hips like a dream. The jacket matches the pants, and the blouse is a powder pink. Pulled together enough to look professional, but the little pop of pink lets my personality shine through.

For years, I denied my love for pink, thinking it made me cliché. But as I grew up and my self-confidence followed, I decided pink is my color. This suit makes me feel confident, and that's what matters at the end of the day.

“You keep getting ready. I am going to hunt through your shoes and give you some options.” She dashes to the walk-in closet and I make my way back to the bathroom.

I get ready as Isla scurries through my room, comparing shoe options and keeping me company. Her company soothes my nerves, and now, I just have a bit of bubbling excitement running through me. A new hotshot lawyer, better pay, and I'm closer to my bestie? A girl could get used to this.

Once I am dressed, Isla demands a fashion show to help pick shoes. We settle on a closed-toe pump. They’re my most expensive pair, but they’re also my most comfortable pair. So, it was an easy choice. Plus, the nude color ties in well with my outfit.

I grab my purse off the dresser and face Isla. “How do I look?” I do a little circle, so she can give the full inspection

“You’re giving off Elle Woods vibes and I'm here for it.”

“Perfect.” Smiling, I pull Isla in for a hug before I head down the stairs and off to kick ass. Finally, I’m starting to feel a bit more like myself.

“Addie, can I talk to you for a sec?” Tyler asks as he strolls his way to my desk, his hands tucked into his pant pockets. Like all lawyers, he is dressed to the nines—nice suit, nice shoes. “Imeant to be here when you first got here, but I was running a few minutes behind.”

The lawyer I’m going to be working for isn’t here yet. So, after I was shown to my desk, I’ve been a lookie-loo and trying to catch the feel of the place.

“It’s all good. The lady downstairs—I think her name is Sherry—showed me up.” The lobby was nice, with big windows and nice tile floors. From the looks of it, there was more on the floor, but I didn’t have a chance to explore that far.

He nods his head with a polite smile. “Nice. Well, I will be lending you my right-hand, Regina, for your training. I’m not expecting it to take you long to get the hang of things. She should be here any minute.” He fidgets for a second. “Also, know that there will be no retaliation should you need to bite back. Some lawyers can have a chip on their shoulders.”

I find myself nodding my head before he even finishes the statement. Because, been there, done that.

“I got this. Thanks for stopping by, and for taking one for the team by lending me your legal assistant. I promise I’m a quick learner.”

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