Page 4 of The Lawyer
The black door opens, and I follow Nina through. She takes a seat in front of Mr Broderick’s desk, and I join her, crossing my legs and resting the tablet on my thigh, stylus in hand.
He’s standing with his back to us, looking out of the vast window behind his desk. All I can make out is that he’s tall, has broad shoulders, and so far, manners befitting his name and title.
“I want to look over the contract for the Foxton Herald. And I need time with my father—uninterruptible—he’ll try and dodge me at Earlwood, so I want it on company time. What’s on the agenda for this week?” He’s yet to turn around and simply runs off his demands to Nina.
I note down each of his requests.
“You have the first meeting with the author covering the Broderick feature. And the guestlist for the ball needs approval. Your usual standing items with department heads-”
“Yes. Right. Make sure my diary is clear on Thursday from three, and I want to speak to my sister.”
“Which one?” Nina responds.
“Ivy, of course,” he snaps, turning and firing his rebuke at her directly. He sounds like a prize jerk, and I take a deep breath at the prospect of what I may have to endure over the coming year. Poor Nina. Now the timing of her pregnancy doesn’t feel so inconvenient.
Nina nods. “Is that everything, Mr Broderick?” He’s turned back to the window already. I’m a little surprised that she hasn’t introduced me, or that he hasn't noticed there’s a stranger sitting in his office.
“Yes,” he says to the window.
She doesn’t say another word and heads back to the connecting office door. I’m astounded by the change in Nina in the presence of this man. Surely, he’s not a tyrant worthy of such action?
“Mr Broderick, I’m Willow Etherington. I’ll be filling in for Nina when she’s on leave.” I stand and offer my hand to him, ready for him to turn around, and surprised that he hasn’t even acknowledged me yet. I’m positive I’m not invisible.
But he doesn’t turn around. “Very well.”
My arm drops and the professional smile I’ve mastered slips from my lips.
“Willow,” Nina calls. I look over to her, and her eyes are bulging from her head as she beckons me into our office.
She closes the door firmly behind me. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Introducing myself. I’m a little shocked you didn’t, actually.” I can feel my brows knitting together in annoyance, but I fight to calm myself and let it slide off my back.
“Well, wait next time. Mr Broderick likes things a certain way. He’s very particular.”
“Very particular doesn’t mean he gets to be rude, or a bully, Nina.” I go back to my desk and set about finding the contract and space in his diary for his requests.
“Nina!” The same sharp snap of his voice rings into the room, and Nina immediately jumps to attention. This time heading to the coffee machine.
“Mr Broderick likes a coffee after our briefing in the morning.” She says as the machine does its thing.
“And will Mr Broderick tell me what he needs, or just call my name and expect me to know?” I look at Nina, stunned. And now a little resolved to the fact I may well be driven to throw said coffee over Mr Broderick if he doesn’t get that stick out his arse.
“He's really not bad, Willow. He’s just very organised and very busy. You won’t see him often and he doesn’t need checking on every few minutes.” She starts over to the door.
“Wait.” I stop her and hurry to take the coffee from her hand. “Let me.” I take the small tray and walk confidently to the door, a little tap before entering.
“Mr Broderick.” My legs stride across to his desk, and I place the tray on the edge of the desk. For someone who’s been back only a short while, there are files stacked high in front of him. I pause to see if he’ll acknowledge me this time, but he goes on reading, seemingly engrossed in his tablet.
“Can I get you anything else?” My voice sounds breathy, and I squeeze my eyes shut in mortification for a moment. But it works.
He lifts his eyes up to where I’m standing before him, and then he simply drops his eyes back to his screen. “That will be all.”
For that brief moment, he hit me with a look that doesn’t disguise how appealing he is. Dirty blond hair, pale eyes that make me think of ice in winter, and all presented in a suit-encased frame that will be physically intimidating when he stands over me.
I blink myself out of the stunned moment, and remember he’s just dismissed me. That scowl certainly hides the sexy look he could no doubt master if he could just get his head out of his arse.
~
