Page 62 of Bonus Daddy
“Brian,” Lo squeaked, her tone high-pitched.
“Sully’s coming,” Sloane said, clasping her hands. “We have so much to discuss.”
“Bloody hell. It’s midnight. Do we really need to do this tonight?” Sully asked, running his hands through his hair.
“Yeah.” Cal added. “I need to keep an eye on Bubbles. He’s made a miraculous recovery since I gave him his fish vitamins. He’s got a new lease on life.” .
Oh Jesus. Lola flushed and I raised an eyebrow at her. Long live Bubbles the Tenth, I guess.
“Focus,” Sloane chirped. “We need to talk about Brian.”
Annoyance rushed through me. “I’m right here.”
“And Jess,” Lo added. “We loosened her up with wine and cheese, and let me tell you, that woman is into you.”
“So into you.” Sloane bounced up and down. “When she talked about you, she couldn’t stop smiling, and her eyes got all dreamy.”
I sucked in a breath. I’d kept my feelings under control by denying that there was any interest on the other side of this.
“Why are you telling me this?”
Cal threw an arm around Lo’s shoulders. “Because you have to make a move, you plonker.”
“She is my client,” I gritted out, irritated that, after such a long, stressful day, I was now being subjected to a late-night inquisition.
“You’ve already filed her motion,” Lo said.
“One of us can step in for the hearing if necessary,” Sloane added.
Seriously? She was still on maternity leave, but she was offering to step in for the hearing? These people had lost the plot. This could not happen. For so many reasons, but most importantly because it was unethical.
“I know you’re all happy and in love, but don’t let that blind youto the facts. If I were to pursue a romantic relationship with a client, I could be disbarred.”
Sully, who had his phone out and was scrolling, held one finger up. “Actually, according to the New Jersey State Bar Association code of conduct, if the romantic relationship preceded the representation, it’s allowed.”
Sloane beamed at him.
“Our relationship was twenty years ago. This is absurd.”
As if sensing my frustration, Tia fussed in my arms, so I exhaled and willed my muscles to relax.
“Tomorrow I’ll look for precedent on point,” Lo added, ever the paralegal.
“Seriously,” I said, keeping my tone even so I wouldn’t upset the baby again. “We’ve spent the last year trying to save our firm. I’m not going to ruin all that by getting involved with a client.”
Cal barked out a laugh, and Lo and Sloane joined in. Sully wasn’t effusive the way they were, but even he cracked a smile.
“We’ve discussed this.” Sully took the baby from me. “In fact, you and Cal were the ones who spelled it out for me when I was ready to let the firm go to save my marriage. Dad was trying to save us, dumbass. In his own weird misguided way. Not the firm. The wanker wanted to save us from ourselves.”
“And the most ridiculous part is that it worked,” Cal added. “Look at us. The Murphy boys are finally getting their shit together and making Dad proud.”
Sully kissed Tia’s head.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. They were all love drunk and had no idea what they were saying.
“And technically,” Sloane said, “we’re not saying you should jump right in and initiate a sexual relationship. We’re suggesting you lay the groundwork. Show your interest.”
“Because she is interested,” Lo added.
