Page 63 of A Legal Affair
When he lifted his head, she could only gaze up at him through heavy-lidded eyes. “Believe it or not,” she murmured, her words sounding slurred to her own ears, “I didn’t come here this morning to seduce you.”
Caleb chuckled softly. “You don’t hear me complaining, do you?”
“Mmm. But you should. I didn’t return the favor.”
He groaned, nuzzling her throat. “Don’t tempt me, woman.”
“Oh, but it’s so much fun,” she teased.
“Don’t be cruel,” he said, drawing away to playfully tweak her nose. He lifted her by the waist and deposited her gently on the corner of his desk before reclaiming his own chair.
As Daniela watched, he deliberately arranged his features into a sober expression. “I’m going to get serious on you now,” he warned, holding her gaze as if to channel “serious-mood” wavelengths into her. “Are you ready to go there with me?”
Smothering an impish grin, Daniela gave him a dutiful salute. “Yes, sir. I’m ready.”
His mouth twitched. “I want to run a couple of things past you,” he said, drumming his fingers on the desk. “I’ve been doing some thinking since our last conversation, when we spoke about what you hope to get out of law school. Have you heard of the National Black Law Students Association?”
When Daniela shook her head, he explained, “It’s a national organization designed to improve the educational and social experiences of African-American law students. We have a chapter here at Northbridge—the Black Law Students Association, or BLSA. As you already know, our people are greatly underrepresented at the university, particularly in the law school. So an organization like NBLSA is really valuable in providing support and networking opportunities for black law students. NBLSA also sponsors various fundraisers and community service projects, and hosts a minority law symposium in the spring.” He slid open his top desk drawer, took out a white business card and passed it to Daniela. “Here’s the contact information for our chapter president—her phone number, email and social media handles. She’s a 3L?—”
Daniela, still somewhat dazed from their steamy encounter, gave him a nonplussed look as she accepted the card. “3L?”
“Third-year law student,” Caleb clarified, lips twitching. “Don’t worry. The abbreviations will be rolling off your tongue in no time. Anyway, if you’re interested in attending a BLSA meeting or just want to learn more about them, give Sonja a call. She’s always looking to recruit new members, so I know she’d be happy to hear from you. I also think she could serve as a great mentor.”
Daniela gave him a look of tender gratitude. “Thank you for thinking of me, Caleb,” she said sincerely, crossing her legs. “Maybe Iwillgive Sonja a call. The NBLSA sounds like a wonderful organization.”
“It is,” Caleb said proudly. “The students are awesome, and really committed to fulfilling the organization’s mission. I was the faculty advisor up until last year, when I decided to take a break to work on some other projects. But I left our chapter in the good hands of my best friend and colleague, Evander McGhee.”
“Aww. Your best friend works here, too?”
“He does. We met in law school thirteen years ago.”
“That’s wonderful that you guys get to work together,” Daniela said warmly, propping her elbow on one knee and her chin in her hand. “Does he teach first-year classes, too?”
“No, but you’ve probably seen him around campus before. There are only three of us here—meaning, three black law professors—so at some point or another you’ll run into all of us.” Leaning back in his chair, Caleb laced his fingers together and rested them on the hard surface of his stomach. “That brings me to the next thing I wanted to discuss with you.”
Smiling, Daniela leaned forward on the desk, making an exaggerated show of giving him her undivided attention. “I’m listening.”
His mouth twitched at her playfulness. “Would you be interested in doing an internship at my father’s law firm?”
Her smile faltered, and she stared at him in bewildered disbelief. “Of course, but…I thought internships were only available to second- and third-year students?”
“Most are,” Caleb agreed. “For example, you can only qualify for a judicial internship after you’ve completed your first year. But we’re talking about a private firm here, which means that the hiring of interns is at my father’s discretion.”
“Does he normally hire first-years?”
“Not normally,” Caleb admitted. “But he would consider it, if a particular student came highly recommended.”
Daniela’s eyes widened. “You would recommend me?”
He inclined his head. “I would.”
She felt a surge of excitement, even as her conscience pricked her. She glanced away from him for a moment. “I—I couldn’t let you do that for me, Caleb,” she murmured.
His lips quirked into an ironic half smile. “Believe it or not, Daniela, I’m not making this offer because we’re involved. I think you’re a very intelligent, mature young woman, and your strong work history can be substituted for your lack of legal experience. In light of the conversation we had on Monday, I believe you could really benefit from interning at a law firm. It would give you a terrific opportunity to learn how the criminal justice system works and gain firsthand knowledge of the legal profession. If nothing else, at the end of your internship, you may decide a law career is absolutely thelastthing you want.”
Daniela grinned. “Or it could turn out to be my life’s calling.”
“Could be.” Caleb smiled faintly. “Now, I have to warn you up front that my father puts his interns to work, and there’s nothing remotely glamorous about the work they do. You’ll be doing everything from typing lengthy court documents and assisting the paralegals with research, to serving coffee to clients andrunning personal errands for the senior associates. It won’t be a cakewalk, but I can guarantee that you’ll learn a great deal and come away from the experience with a tremendous addition to your résumé. So, are you interested?”
