Page 34 of Partner Pursuit
“No, my mom is a professor, as was my dad, but he died when I was in high school.” She continued quickly to move the conversation past that revelation. “But, no, I didn’t always want to be a lawyer. I took several women’s rights college courses studying the victories won via court cases, so that first piqued my interest. And then I did some volunteer work with families, which showed me how lawyers were crucial to getting needed services. But after law school, I started working as a corporate lawyer, and here I am.” She took a sip of her wine. “Did you consider being a lawyer since your dad isone?”
“No, it had completely the opposite effect,” he said in a flat tone. “He works all the time and is always at the beck and call ofclients.”
“Aren’t you at the beck and call of your musicclients?”
“It’s not the same thing. I have to work hard, yes, and there are a lot of late nights for video shoots, TV appearances, tour dates—but I still have more control over my schedule. For one thing, most events are arranged well in advance because they have to be booked on the artist’s schedule, so I can easily plan my life aroundthem.”
“Video shoots, TV appearances…that soundscool.”
“It is. But it’s helping someone achieve their dream, that’s the really cool part.” He radiated joy as if reliving those moments. He finished his last bite. “What do you like about beinga lawyer?”
She leaned forward. “I like researching and writing, building a case, and defending clients. I feel like a detective as I try to find evidence and cases that will support my client. And there’s a huge thrill when you get an admission from a hostile witness.” She wanted to persuade him that being a lawyer was not all bad. “Not that that happens often. But I didn’t expect to have to work as much as I do. I’m hoping it will improve once I become partner.” She glanced at the pile of stuffed brown manila folders on her desk in the corner.
“My dad works constantly. Still.”
Her stomach sank. She sighed at the prospect. “Did he work a lot when you were young?”
“Yes. He couldn’t make it to games, school performances, and sometimes he even missed vacations.” His chair scraped the floor as he pushed itback.
“Really? He had to miss vacations?”
“Several times—once during Christmas. A deal would suddenly flare up, and that’d be that.” He lookedaway.
A chill went through her. “Wow. I thought the hours were worsenow.”
“I don’t know. Back then, dads were expected to work. My mom would come, but I would’ve liked my dad there.” He frowned. “And now it’s still the same. He missed Thanksgiving last year for a merger deal. He’s got grandkids. And Ned, their dad, is away serving as a combat medic. My dad needs to put his family above his work. Especially now. He’s got enough money.”
“It’s probably too much a part of hisidentity.”
He nodded slowly. “Yes. And he loves it. He loves the intellectual thrill and editing documents, all of it. The briefcase, the suit. He’s disappointed I’m not a lawyer.” Jake stopped as if he’d admitted too much. “For me, it was absolutely clear that the personal cost is too high. You don’t think so?” His gaze challengedher.
Sometimes.She flushed, taken aback, and gazed at him, her brow furrowed. Remembering Kevin asking her to leave and come down to Washington, D.C. to work for the government, saying the partnership would just use her labor for seven years and then spit her out. She shook her head. “I work very hard and for long hours, but I also enjoy the work, and I have good friends at the law firm.” She didn’t admit that she liked the suit too. As soon as she put on her crisp black suit with her white blouse, she felt stronger, like she’d donned a suitof armor.
“But you can have both,” he said. “You can have a good career where you make enough money and have a life. It’s not easy. You have to make it a priority and make certainchoices.”
She frowned. “Do you really think it’s your choice? My mom works hard allthetime.”
“Certain choices that may mean you don’t get promoted. Veronika got mad at me when I decided not to put my name in the hat for an executive VP promotion this year. Her attitude was get to the top and then you can coast. But I don’t see much coasting at the top. And if I look at my dad, it seems he can’t give it up.”
“I see that with my mom.” She nodded.
“Did your mom want you to be a professor?”
“No, definitely not. And I didn’t want to be a professor. Getting tenure just seems to involve so much being nice and collegial to everyone, at least as a woman. My mom wanted me to be a lawyer, a career with a really good income. She also thought there’d be less politics and less subjectivity inlaw.”
“Is there?”
She snorted. “Probably lesshand-shakingthan getting tenure as a professor, but it seems political now that I’m trying to makepartner.”
“I hate the politics.” He leaned forward. “Is being a lawyer part of youridentity?”
Yes.Now she felt like he’d moved from studying her bookcases to her. What did he see? She lowered her eyelashes to consider the question. She bit her lip. “Yes and no. I don’t like being defined as a lawyer, so there’s still hope for me yet. But I like to say I’m a lawyer if I’m trying to impress someone professionally. Not that it worked with you.” She looked at him as if to saygive mea chance.
Biscuit shifted positions in the silence, lying full out on the floor. Jake reached down to pet him. He smiled at her, and some of her tension easedaway.
He asked, “So, did you bake the cookies yougave me?”
Grateful for the change in topic, she said, “Yes, but don’t get your hopes up. That’s about all Icanmake.”
