Page 5 of Hooked on Lane

Chapter Four

Lane

The sunrise poured into my penthouse. It had been difficult since arriving to get used to all the noise of the city. I grew up in Amesbury, a quaint, sleepy town where even streetlights dimmed after a certain hour. But here in New York City, the world was always open. Even at three in the morning, you could get a hot coffee or fresh pastry on practically every corner.

Initially, I was uncertain if it was the ideal match for me, but trying it out for one year was beneficial for both of us. I needed to take the risk of trying something new.

I slowly rose, my feet sinking into the exquisitely soft carpet beneath me. In the past, I could only just about make do with my average salary, so this was definitely not something I could normally afford. To ensure I had enough to cover the must-haves, I allocated a sufficient amount and the rest I put away in my savings accounts. The apartment came fully furnished as a package deal which was one less thing for me to worry about.

I stepped into the bathroom and twisted the knob of the shower. The hot spray washed away all my thoughts as I closed my eyes, enjoying a moment of solace before the chaos of New York began again. I tilted my head up toward the stream ofwater, humming softly. As I lathered the shampoo in my hair, the smile on my mother’s face came to the forefront. Without her pushing me to accept, this wouldn’t even be happening.

I emerged from the shower, grabbing a towel, and was ready to get started on my day. After getting all ready, I knew I was extremely lucky to be in this position. Mr. Longford had so many clients. If I wanted to be up to speed before he left, I would have to study the files right away. Already I could feel the next few hours slipping away as I headed out into the hallway.

The city was bustling with people and cars as I stepped out. Every corner practically had a coffee shop but I was headed straight for Coffee Chaos. I joined the line of eager customers, musing over what I would choose. When it was finally my turn, I ordered my go-to flat white espresso with micro-foamed milk and a mocha topped with extra shots of espresso and a generous dollop of whipped cream.

The woman behind the counter lifted her eyebrow. “It comes with two shots, so you want an additional two? It wouldn’t be for Jennifer Jenkins, would it?”

I curved my lips into a satisfied smile and gave a slight nod. “Yes, that’s right. She’s my new assistant.”

After paying, I stepped back and waited. People occupied all the tables, typing away on laptops in their little bubbles. A few had notebooks open and were scribbling away at the pages. Toward the other end where orders were picked up, there were a few comfy leather chairs around a small coffee table with stray newspapers and magazines. How could they possibly stay so focused with the chaotic bustle of the café all around?

The room was overwhelming to me, but that was most likely because I hadn’t adjusted to the big city yet. The coffee grinder was going, employees calling out names, the ding of the cash register. All together, it practically made my head throb. Shecalled my name and handed me two steaming cups. “Thanks. See ya tomorrow.”

Stepping back out onto the street, I took my first sip, savoring the blend. New York City definitely had better coffee. Hell, it better be for $7. I needed Jennifer and I to get along. Especially after the glowing review he gave her.

I stepped into the Weston, Crawford and Curran and snagged an empty elevator.

“Hold the door, please.”

It was Mr. Longford. He stepped in and asked me how my morning was going, and the smile that lit up his face when he saw the second cup of coffee in my hand was one I would remember for a long time.

“You know, if you bring her coffee every morning, you are gonna move mountains. That girl is obsessed with it. Sometimes she has five cups.”

Mr. Longford told me about her love for coffee from that local café, but since it was so expensive, she only had one cup a week. The rest of the time, she was forced to limit herself to drinking the breakroom’s disgusting filth. I agreed, it’s nothing compared to the brews at Coffee Chaos.

Mr. Longford and I got off the elevator on the eighth floor and he went straight to his office, offering me a smile over his shoulder as I stopped right in front of Jennifer’s desk. My eyes took in the royal-blue pencil skirt and the black blouse she was wearing, and the way the bob haircut hit right under her chin. She didn’t even notice me for a moment, too busy looking through some paperwork on her desk, but when her eyes met mine, she had the sweetest smile.

“You didn’t have to do that.” She took the cup from my hand and shook her head.

“I was serious about bringing you a cup. Even braved the barista for the two extra shots of espresso and she knew whoyou were by the order.” This was more than just a cup of coffee. This was a gesture of appreciation, a token of connection with a colleague. After everything we would go through for the next year together, it was the least I can do.

She laughed, took a sip, and her eyes rolled to the back of her head. “It’s so good.”

I smiled as my hand slid over my chin before walking into my future office. “I’ll talk to you later.”

Mr. Longford’s office was a sleek. It was soon to be mine. It was filled with light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, making the sleek chrome accents and the black and blue accents around the room pop. They arranged his desk in the center of the room, covered in papers, folders, and manila envelopes. There were a few books on the shelves and some framed photos of his family.

Directly across from his desk was a corner of the room that held two armchairs and a coffee table. I took a seat in the armchair and he took the other, the two of us facing each other.

“So, I’d like to know a little more about the guy who is taking over for me. My clients aren’t needy, and I have been working with most of them for years. Some of them are older than me. Taking over for me, you will be in a good place. Most of the new partners get stuck taking the cases no one else wants, but you’ll be busy with my workload, so I doubt they will assign you many extra ones.”

Hard work wasn’t anything new to me, so if they needed to give me more cases, I’d handle it. I was in a new city where I didn’t know anyone and that meant I’d have no life. There was no reason to make friends if I might move back to Texas in a year. Although, even in these two days, New York City was growing on me already.

He nodded. “Next time, you can pick me up a cup, too.”

“Oh… I would’ve…”

“I’m just kidding. You don’t have three hands and I’ll be out of your hair in no time.”

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