“I won’t do the New Year’s fundraiser.”
He stopped dead in his tracks, the door open a few inches. He pushed it back closed and turned to me, anger flashing in his eyes. “I don’t like being threatened.”
“Yeah? You’re in the wrong job, then. I don’t like clients being stolen from me.”
The ensuing argument probably played out in his head just as it did mine, while we stared at each other wordlessly. He wouldn’t win, and the moment he knew it was clear on his face. He pressed his lips together and drew in a deep, resigned breath.
I followed him into the conference room and waited as my father introduced me. Courtney had big blue eyes and long lashes, giving her a doe-like look. Her blonde hair was swept aside. Minimal makeup, or artfully applied to look that way.
“Well,” my father said, collecting up his tablet, pen, and paper. “I apologize you’ll need to go over this again with Kyle, but you’re in good hands.”
I set down my cup of coffee and sank into the seat. “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Crawford. I’m told you asked for me?”
She nodded, fidgeting with her hands. Her ring finger was bare, which was a good sign for me. It was hard when the client hadn’t come to terms with what was going to happen.
“Julius,” she said. “He told me you helped him with some legal issue a few months ago.”
The blank expression said she had no idea what. She didn’t know what Julius did for a living? His comment about not being good enough for her made a lot more sense.
“Yes, I did,” I said. “But I can’t discuss that. What can I help you with?”
Her eyes grew wet with tears, but she blinked them back. “I need a divorce attorney. A good one.”
I smiled and hoped it was sincere without being cocky. “Perfect. I’m both.”