Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“Whatever you say.” I’m already reaching down to rifle through my mail. Invitations, marketing materials, letters—I get all my correspondence sent here, rather than my house. Near the middle of today’s stack, I spot a cream envelope that feels luxuriously heavy in my hand. Boy do rich people love thick cardstock, let me tell you.
I slice through the top of it with my letter opener to see it’s a save the date for Conrad Elwood’s wedding. The first weekend in March, he’ll marry a woman named Hannah Kline here in Chicago. I’m not surprised I’ve been invited. Though Conrad practices in the Los Angeles office now, he was assigned to my team as a summer associate at the Chicago office years and years ago. On top of that, this will likely be a massive wedding. I wouldn’t be surprised if every partner at the firm has received the save-the-date.
I set it aside so Lucy can add it to my calendar. Then, quickly, I pick it back up to read how they’ve addressed the envelope: Hudson Rhodes and guest.
Oh goodie.
I’m mulling over my date options—all zero of them—when Lucy shouts a belated, “Mr. Elwood wants to see you!”
I gotta get a new assistant, man.
Scarlett’s brother is already walking through my door, not bothering with a knock. That’s what I get for leaving my door open. When he leaves, I’ll deadbolt it shut.
“Barrett, a pleasure. Wish I had time for whatever you’re about to say, but I don’t, so if you could—”
“Humor me, Rhodes. You can spare two seconds, I’m sure.”
Wanting to get this over with quickly, I wave for him to get on with it. At least I can continue opening my mail while he talks. Multitasking is a particular joy of mine. I can do two, three things at once at any given moment.
“Word spread about the new-hire assignments. Scarlett shouldn’t be on your team.”
Here we go. I’m not surprised he’s here to discuss this. I figured he’d come find me eventually.
“Your dad put her there, so take your issue up with him.” I say this while glancing over a junk mail flyer for a car detailing service. Fifty bucks for interior and exterior detailing—that’s not bad.
“You didn’t move her yourself?”
I flip the flyer over to review the front. “Why would I have done that?”
He shakes his head, frowning, thinking… Obviously, this isn’t how he thought this conversation would go.
“Take your sister off my service. I don’t care, but this whole charade is getting a little tiring. I’d rather not have a rotating door of Elwoods coming in and out of my office every day.”
He’s frowning at me, giving me the macho act. “If he wants her on your service, that’s fine. But I’m warning you, if you—”
I suddenly groan like I’m being choked to death. “Oh god. Save it. Your dad already beat you to it. You know you two are really doing her no favors. Enough with the cavemen bullshit. Is she an attorney or is she not?”
He scowls, but at least he shuts up. That’s progress.
“Your sister is going to be fine.” I reach for my mug. “She actually brought me coffee this morning.”
I go for the first sip, taking a gamble on the whole poisoning thing. I’d hate to give Barrett the pleasure of watching me die an agonizing death, but I figure it’s worth the risk to see his shocked expression.
Mmm. Freshly brewed pecan blend, my favorite.
“You have her bringing you coffee?”
Oh, he’s pissed.
My smug smile nearly sends him over the edge. These Elwoods are so easy to toy with. Scarlett has the same temper as her brother, as evidenced by her little outburst yesterday. I’ve never had an associate—a first-year associate at that—call me an asshole. To my face.
I almost smiled when I heard her say it. I had to bite down on the inside of my cheek to keep my amusement from showing in that conference room.
“Getting a partner a cup of coffee is hardly outside the realm of possibilities for a new hire,” I tell him.
Barrett clenches his jaw before wisely turning to leave so things don’t escalate further. “Do us all a favor and, for once, be a decent human.”
A decent human!? Now that’s asking too much…
Sure, I could have cleared the issue up with him, told him his little sister voluntarily brought me coffee this morning rather than me demanding it of her, but eh, too late.
“Hey, Luce!” I shout. “Come get this flyer and schedule my car to get detailed, will you?”
To which Lucy replies, loud and clear, “No!”
Fucking crossword book—that’s the last time I get her a Christmas present.
I work tirelessly through the morning and, occasionally, I think of Scarlett. I’m not totally sure what tasks I should send her way. I mean, I know I could do all the usual fun things: laundry pick-up, a little shoeshine, send her across town to get one single cookie. All of that is great, don’t get me wrong, but where’s the inspiration? Where’s the real wickedness?