Page 20 of The Lawyer
“Well, okay. Did you enjoy your weekend?” I uncross and re-cross my legs and lean my elbow on the arm of the chair.
“It was fine. Yours?” He scowls after his question.
“You know, can’t complain. Shall I bring your coffee now? Then we can go over the arrangements for the ball?”
He groans. “Not the ball again. Surely I’ve done enough.”
“It’s the ball to celebrate your father stepping down and you taking over Broderick Media. You could leave it to me, but as your father put this in motion and insisted the venue be Tallington Hall, out in the middle of nowhere, there are points I need clarifying. Why did he choose some draughty estate mansion, anyway? I’d have thought somewhere in the city would be much more your style. Glass, clean lines, open plan.” My little secret has given me a confidence I don’t usually feel outside of my performance, and I’m talking more because of it.
“You don’t know my tastes.”
“No, of course, I don’t.” I smile to myself and tilt my head at him. “Not at all.”
“What?” He looks confused. I'm not surprised. “Willow, I don’t have time for this today.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll get your coffee.” I stand and place my tablet on my chair before I sway my hips in my retreat to my office.
Coffee made, I return as casually as I entered the first time. This time, he watches as I come in, his hands steepled together.
I smile as I put the beverage down and go back to my seat.
“So, are you taking a date to the ball?” I start.
There isn’t a plus one on the guest list, but I want to know if there’s anybody in his life other than Juniper.
“A date?”
“Yes. They tend to accompany you to these types of events even if you're not the dating type of guy.”
“They don’t accompany me.” He’s back to being dismissive and gruff.
“Okay. No plus one for you. Your tux is ready and will be sent across from Nuova Moda, and you can take it with you Friday night. The limo is booked for Saturday at four. That way you’ll arrive in plenty of time and before the guests. Unless you want to drive?” I check.
“I’ll be working, so limo is fine. When will you arrive?”
“Excuse me?” I stop short at his question, and for the first time since arriving today, I feel my confidence dip.
“When will you arrive? You’ll need to ensure everything runs like clockwork. Nina organised most of this, and she won’t be there.”
“I don’t have an invitation, Landon, so I hadn’t planned to be there.” Nope. I’ll be dancing. At The Priory, and not for him.
“If you think you’ll be able to run the event from your sofa at home, then you’ve got little experience in events, which is becoming quite clear now.”
“Hey, knock it off, Landon. I’m more than capable-”
“Then start showing me you’re capable. You can book a car. And you’ll need a room to change. You’ll be there for most of the afternoon. And make sure you wear something appropriate. Not what you’d wear for work.”
“You want me to come to the ball?” I can’t deny that my heart just skipped a little at the thought of attending. From all the plans, the photos, the colour charts and menus, it will be one hell of a party.
“Clearly, that’s evident with what I’ve just said.” The flush of heat that colours my cheeks betrays my thoughts of him in a tux. Of course, I’ve seen him in far more compromising situations, but something about him in a tux makes me press my lips together and swallow.
“You don’t mind if I call in an appointment at Nuova Moda to ensure I have something appropriate, do you? I’m afraid that my wardrobe might not be to everyone’s tastes.” There’s got to be a benefit of working for a media empire with a fashion magazine in the same building.
I smile and glance at my shoes and then back up to Landon.
His eyes linger on my legs for a fraction longer than they should before coming back to look at me. “Fine.”
“Right. I’m off then. And, I have to cancel my plans.” I call back.
