Lawyer Up (25 page)

“Don't mind him,” said Patricia. “Creole's a bit of a character—like the wine in this state, he takes a bit of getting used to.”

“I'm serious,” Creole rejoined. “I want to prove to you that there is extraordinary wine right here in the Bayou State.”

“We should all go sometime,” Emmit suggested, and Patricia was thrilled that he wanted to spend time with her friend.

“Sounds good. Now I'll leave you two love doves alone.” Creole waved before exiting the restaurant.

Watching him leave, Patricia was amazed at how quickly her life had changed. She had a new boyfriend—was it too soon to think of Emmit like that? But even more, she had a new friend, someone to share the fun moments in life. Hopefully, he'd still be around to celebrate with her when she made partnership, although that would now wait until the next big case. She found the sting of that thought less strong. She couldn't possibly feel bad while sharing a delicious meal and listening to zydeco jazz in the heart of romantic New Orleans while Emmit gently held her hand in his.

They returned to his home for the second night after stopping by Patricia's place so she could grab a change of clothes.

On Sunday, they slept in late, then enjoyed some morning sex before joining the throngs of tourists at the original Café du Monde, which had hardly changed in over 150 years. When they managed to get a tiny table, they were mashed among hundreds of animated people, all consuming the café's signature beignets and chicory coffee. But they were in their own little world as only new lovers can be—where everyone around them becomes both background noise and part of their story at the same time. Where bliss and excitement swirl into one intoxicating brew.

She could hardly believe they'd spent the entire weekend together, but the way Emmit was looking at her suggested that he'd happily drag her back to his place if given the chance. The heady feeling that made her almost light-headed now had the added zesty flavor of lust. She'd never had as much sex in her entire life as this past weekend, but rather than feeling worn-out, Patricia felt wonderful. Leaning across the table, Emmit gave her a kiss that made even the background noise fade into nothing as the two of them became lost in each other. Patricia felt absolutely wonderful!

BACK TO THE OLD GRIND

It was Monday morning, and Patricia was walking on air. The weekend had been a fantasy come true on every level. As she walked to her office, she weighed the pros and cons of everything that had happened over the past few weeks. She had settled the case in her client's favor. It wasn't the big win that would get her the partnership, but she mentally patted herself on the back. She had helped people in need and that counted for something, at least to her.

Patricia waved at the guard in the fancy lobby of her office building and took the stairs, too flush with exuberance to wait for an elevator. It was back to the old grind today and to waiting for another opportunity to win her partnership, but for the first time in a long while, Patricia felt anything but old.

“Grind, yes…old, no.” She laughed to herself in the stairway. It was much more fun to think about Emmit than the lost opportunity to become a partner. And
grind
they had done, over and over!

She had also enjoyed the time they spent getting to know each other. She was pleased to learn that the Playboy Judge of Orleans was no more, an illusion left over from the past. Patricia giggled quietly as she waved hello to her coworkers. Emmit had sure worked hard to make up for lost time over the weekend!

Upon reaching her small office, Patricia found a gigantic bouquet of flowers on her desk. A crystal vase, Waterford if she had to guess, overflowed with large crème roses interspersed with purple bougainvillea. Delicate tendrils of draping ivy lent an elegant Southern air. Patricia buried her nose in the flowers to inhale the fragrant scent. It was breathtaking, but what really made her ecstatic was the note.

Thank you for the most amazing weekend! I can't wait to see you again and hope that you will save time—lots of time—in your evenings and weekends just for me.

Your devoted servant, Emmit

BACK TO THE OLD GRIND…REALLY

Two marvelous weeks had passed. The time had flown by while Patricia spent almost all of her free time with Emmit. She had stayed at his place, and he at hers. Patricia was now comfortable inhabiting her new Pat-tastic identity and no longer felt like she was playacting.

At work, Patricia was deeply immersed in another case. If she had thought the last one a bore, this one just reminded her why she wanted to be a partner. Then she would have more say in the cases she accepted. She worked steadily through the day until late afternoon and tried not to think about what was going on down the hall.

The annual partner meeting was underway at this very moment. A year ago, Patricia had promised herself that she would finally be a part of this event today.
Why
didn't I call in sick?
Then Patricia's assistant popped her head into the office.

“The partners want to see you in the conference room, stat,” she said. At Patricia's questioning glance, the young woman added, “I don't have any more information. Just that you are to present yourself immediately.”

Patricia nodded and rose. With no time to even run a comb through her hair, she threw on her new silk suit jacket as she walked. She moved briskly, if carefully, still not all that comfortable in high heels. Pat smiled at people as she went, trying for an air of confidence, but inside she was apprehensive. It was highly unusual to be summoned like this. The partnership was moot, but was she in trouble for some reason? Were relationships with judges frowned upon?

Anxiously, she pulled open the door and walked in to face the room full of power, mostly men but a couple women too.

“Welcome, Patricia,” said Louis Beauregard, one of the founding partners and her longtime mentor.

Odd, she thought, how everyone had just started calling her that. “Pat” had been retired without a word, all because of her new look…and possibly also her new, more relaxed attitude. She stepped just inside the room and stood there. She hadn't been invited to sit and there weren't any empty chairs anyway.

“Patricia, we invited you here to discuss—”

“Sir, I can explain. There was no winning this case outright, so I found a way to settle that preserved the farmers' rights too.” She looked to the other founding partner for confirmation.

“Patricia, you've never been one to interrupt before,” Louis said, wagging his finger playfully at her. “As I was saying, we're here to discuss your future at the firm.”

Patricia felt a jolt of anxiety. She'd given up on her career advancement hopes for this year, but was it worse than that? She glanced uneasily around the room. Awkwardly, her eyes settled on her ex, Brad—the last place she should look for support. Surprisingly, he was smiling at her, and not in a nasty way. Strange. She glanced back at the senior partner.

“We've been watching you for a long time, as you know, and have been pleased with your progress in all areas, billables and mentoring among them. Our only remaining concern was your need to win every case, to always beat your opponent at trial. Of course, we all like to win around here—that goes without saying.”

General laughter greeted this pronouncement.

“But sometimes that's not the right answer. Sometimes it is better to look for other options or negotiate a settlement, but your drive to win at all costs made you unable to step back and see the bigger picture. I'm pleased to say, however, that you recently demonstrated that you can put your ego aside for the betterment of the client and the firm. So, my dear friend—and on behalf of the entire Beauregard and White family—I'm pleased to offer you full partnership in the firm.”

Patricia looked blankly at all the friendly faces. The men and women applauded, and Beauregard extended his hand to her. In a daze, Patricia shook it. A chair materialized and she was invited to sit down to join the rest of the meeting. Completely dumbfounded, she could hardly believe it was true. Slowly over the course of the next two hours, Patricia began to accept that she had finally made partner. The congratulations and pats on the back convinced her that she wasn't dreaming. Even Brad looked happy for her, whispering in her ear that he was pleased for her and that he liked her new look.

It was all very exciting, a dream come true, sitting there in the partner meeting—now one of them, a peer—but Patricia could hardly wait for it to end so that she could call Emmit. She hungered to hear his accolades.

Finally in late afternoon, the meeting concluded, and Louis insisted on escorting Patricia back to her office. He told her that the partnership contract was waiting there for her. When they walked out of the conference room, Louis took her hand and turned in the opposite direction. Patricia looked at him, confused, but allowed herself to be led down the hall to a space that had been used in the past as an extra, smaller conference room. Her name was posted on the wall next to the door. This was going to be her new office? After shaking Patricia's hand one more time, Louis left her alone.

Patricia quickly shut the door, knowing no one would bother her with it closed. She wanted to savor the moment before everyone swamped her with congratulatory visits. Standing with her back against the solid wood, she looked around. The office was considerably bigger than her current one, and it had wonderful floor-to-ceiling windows with a great view that overlooked the courthouse. She could hardly believe it, but even the conference table had been replaced with a desk while she was in the meeting. Then, like the final scene in the movie
Working
Girl
, Patricia sat down in the brand-new leather chair and put her feet up on the desk, ankles crossed, and called her boyfriend.

As Emmit's cell phone rang, Patricia eyed her now-larger desk. Was it big enough for a repeat of their night in his chambers?

“I've been hoping you would call,” he answered. “Court just ended.”

“Guess what? I can see your chambers clearly from my window…my
new
office window.”

“Where?” She could tell Emmit was moving. “What do you mean?”

Patricia put her feet down and stood up. She walked to stand directly in front of the window and waved her arms. Reaching back, she flipped the light switch a few times to draw his attention.

“I can see you.” He waved vigorously. “What's going on?”

“I…made…partner!” she replied. Three short words that filled her with joy.

“
What!
Really?
Congratulations!” Emmit waved some more, and although he was far away, it looked like he was giving her a thumbs-up.

“It was a complete surprise. The annual partner meeting was today.” She waved back happily. “I'm absolutely thrilled!”

Patricia could see that Emmit was still watching her and got a wicked idea. She slowly raised her hand and slid it inside her blouse. Hearing his groan, Patricia began to fondle her breast and swivel her hips. “And I want to celebrate.”

“Your office or mine, baby?” Emmit asked abruptly. Not waiting for an answer, he said, “Keep going, beautiful. I very much like what you're doing.”

Then Emmit left the window but kept speaking. “Don't stop. I'll be right there.”

“Did you like my show?” she asked in a sexy, husky voice.

“I'm hard as a rock.”

“Well, I'm sitting now and sliding a hand up my skirt.”

He groaned.

“My hand has reached my silk panties. Oh my, I have a problem. I'm all wet down there.”

He groaned louder. And then laughed.

“But am I going to play all by myself?” she playfully pouted.

“Keep talking. Don't stop, baby. What are you doing now?”

“I've slid a finger inside my wet panties. Ohhh! That feels good. You're missing the party. Ohhh!” She kept teasing him that way for several minutes and wondered if Emmit's increasingly agitated tone meant they were having phone sex. She didn't want to be left out of the fun and slid her hand inside her underwear to fondle herself.

Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door, and Patricia bolted upright. Her face instantly flamed bright red. Glancing around, she confirmed what she had already known—there were no interior windows into her office, but still she felt exposed.

“Be right there,” she called.

Into the phone she said, “Excuse me, Emmit. I have to get the door, and I have to straighten my skirt.” The knocking began again.

Patricia walked quickly to the door and opened it.

“It's you!”

She yanked him inside and slammed the door. Emmit wrapped her in his arms and gave her a deep kiss. Patricia felt something cold pressed against her back, but gave herself over to his demanding mouth.

When he pulled back, she saw that he held a bottle of champagne.

“How did you get that? And how did you get in?” she asked, surprised but pleased.

As Emmit opened it, he muttered, “Does it really matter? I have my ways, but I really want to hear all about your big promotion.”

He looked around for some glasses, and Patricia realized she had nothing in her new office, not even her purse. As she led him to the staff lounge, she accepted congratulations from the few remaining employees. It was a beautiful spring Friday night and the place had cleared out early.

Back in her new office, with champagne poured into two random wineglasses, Emmit toasted Patricia and kissed her again. And again. Hot, passionate, hungry kisses. There were more champagne toasts and more kisses. Patricia was quickly growing giddy.

“I want to celebrate!” she demanded, twirling away from him when he tried to kiss her again.

“Let me take you to dinner. I'll call in a favor and get us into Gautreau's.”

“No,” Patricia retorted, pouting her lips.

“Okaaay. What would you like…a quiet dinner at my place?”

Patricia took another big swig of her champagne. “No! That's not how I want to celebrate…ummm… I want to do something naughty. Really, really naughty.”

Emmit laughed, a delighted look on his face. “Ahhh. Okay. Give me…say…thirty minutes and come to the courthouse. Would you do that?”

“What are you thinking?”

“No you don't. You want naughty, and naughty you'll get, but you don't get to dictate. It'll be my surprise. Just walk over at eight p.m. Trust me…it's going to be a celebration to remember.” Sounding hopeful, he asked, “Are you game?”

“Sure. I think a repeat of our
in
camera
sex on your desk sounds like fun.”

“Oh, it's going to be fun all right.” Emmit refilled her glass before walking toward the door. “Oh, and use the side door. It's the only entrance manned on off-hours. Frank is working tonight, and I'll let him know you are coming. He's a bud.”

The last thing Emmit said was, “I promise you that tonight will be a celebration that you won't
ever
forget.”

He winked and was gone.