Page 27 of Love and Order

“I don’t know. I’ve never actually seen your degree, and you lost your last two cases. Not sure they would claim you,” Finn replied.

Hailey moved past both of them to her office at the end of the rookie hallway. Some days she wondered if dealing with all the pretentious power plays was even worth it. But the truth was, people like Smith existed at any firm. She was used to people judging her for her education, her looks, and sex. She understood people like Smith drew power by cutting others down or trying to make people feel small. She’d met every kind of bully and had suffered enough real abuse to know he was just getting revved up, and she didn’t want any part of it. But she’d get the last laugh when she made partner and took over managing the rookies. No more snobby slackers.

The junior associates dispersed after Finn called out Smith’s lack of performance on his cases, and Finn didn’t bother to check on her. He knew to leave her alone, or he was hoping she’d forget that Smith implied he was involved in some bet about her.

Once she logged into her company email, a note from Finn popped up in the instant messenger app.

For the record, I didn’t participate in any bets.

Ok, Counselor,she fired back.

Permission to approach the bench. We need to discuss the next steps if our hunch on the financials is wrong.

I’ll meet you in the conference room in a few hours. I just need to pay some attention to my other cases,Hailey responded.

Deal.

Two hours later, after scouring through financial law code in several large volumes of federal business law codes, she realized she forgot to meet Finn downstairs in the conference room. She always found it easier to read a real book than an e-document, but they were cumbersome. Gathering her notes and the books, she entered the large wood-paneled elevator. The doors closed and she began to descend, but the elevator stopped on the partner floor first. When the doors opened, she was faced with Mr. Baxter, Finn, and another man she didn’t recognize. She gave the man a passing glance and fixed her stare on Finn as she moved to the back of the elevator, and they each walked in. Hopefully, it was burning a hole through his immaculate suit and tie to his deceptive heart.

While she was off researching their case, he was schmoozing with Mr. Baxter. She should have known she wasn’t the only person he’d be using his Maguire charm on.

“Hailey, you spend so much time in that library, we should move your desk in there,” Mr. Baxter said, turning back to face her and smiling.

“Not a bad upgrade as a reward for a junior partner,” she fired back.

Mr. Baxter laughed. “Finn, I almost feel like we sent you into battle unarmed.”

“I have a few moves left, sir,” Finn said, meeting her stare head-on. “Although, I’ll admit working with Hailey has forced me to dig deep and get creative.”

The elevator dinged on the fourth floor where she planned to meet Finn in their conference room. Moving past the men, she made a point to roll her eyes at Finn so he knew she was onto his tricks.

“Good day, gentlemen,” she said as she exited. She heard Finn say goodbye to the men also, but she kept moving toward their conference room at the end of the hall.

“Hey, where’s the fire? I can help you with those books if you slow down,” Finn said as his smooth stride outpaced her and he opened the door for her.

Once inside, she turned so fast he almost ran into her. The books in her arms shifted, and he put his hands over hers to take over the load. His strength was undeniable, but her body’s reaction was immediate attraction. It was annoying, to say the least.

“Is meeting with Baxter privately part of your campaign to win? Sucking up to the senior partner is kind of cliché, don’t you think?”

She was being hard on him, but she couldn’t win a competition in charming the partners. She relied on hard work to impress people.

“Did you just admit you find me charming?” Finn asked.

His hands still covered hers as he pulled the books from her grasp. A smile spread on his face.

“Move to strike. You don’t have to answer that.”

She let out a breath. Whew, she didn’t need to perjure herself.

“Mr. Baxter was meeting with Admiral Maddox and was gracious enough to introduce me at the end of his meeting. Maddox is a former SEAL too.”

“I guess that’s an aspect of your experience I can’t compete with.”

“I actually think this joint case is more about conquering our own weaknesses and how we work together, not our previous accomplishments.”

“Then I’m at even more of a disadvantage because you grew up in a tight-knit family, where I’m guessing you were forced to work together, and then you served on an elite team where you established physical and mental toughness. I’m used to working solo. Trusting our teamwork to result in me winning the partnership is a big fall.”

Finn gave up trying to help her with the books and rested his hands on his hips as he pinned her with his eyes.

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