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“We haven’t had the pleasure,” Franky replied, his eyes never leaving hers.
“Francis Middlebury, this is Ivy Prescott. Ivy’s a recent addition to the team.”
Franky liked the way her lips parted when Lionel introduced them.
“So, you’re Francis.” She held out her hand, and he shook it. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“You too, Ivy.” He glanced at Lionel then back. “So, you’re in corporate law then?”
“I am.”
“I haven’t seen you around the office.”
“I only started two weeks ago, and I’ve been settling in. This is the first chance I’ve had to get out with anyone from the office.”
Franky had been buried in the Walters case with little time out of his office, so it made sense that he hadn’t met her until now.
“Where did you work before?” he asked.
“San Bernardino.”
“California? What brings you to Michigan? Because I’m sure it’s not the weather.”
The sound of Ivy’s laughter made him smile.
“Maybe I wanted to experience the seasons.” She gave him a coy smile.
“I got her the job,” Martha, another colleague, piped in. “We went to law school together, and when I heard we were looking to fill another position, I immediately thought of Ivy. She is brilliant, top of our class. I knew she’d be perfect.”
“I was in need of a change,” Ivy added, “but my former employer wasn’t happy to see me go.”
“Their loss is our gain,” Franky said, earning him another smile.
The conversation at the table was lively, and Franky was glad he had joined them. He was curious about this beautiful woman, who seemed to love everything there was about law. Not only corporate law, but all aspects. Their conversation continued long after the others had dispersed. Ivy was fascinated by the Walters case and what he felt had gone wrong. He’d come there to escape all of that, but for some reason, talking to her made him feel better.
“I really thought the jury would side with Walters. We presented enough doubt that it should’ve turned them, but it didn’t.”
“Don’t feel bad. It happens to the best. Sometimes you can do all the right things and still not get the results you’re hoping for.”
“Exactly. I did everything I could to defend him.”
She lay her hand on his, which sent tingles up his arm. “Don’t beat yourself up over it. I know I haven’t seen you in action, but from what I’ve heard, you are incredible in the courtroom.”
Franky sat up a little straighter. “Is that so?”
She nodded. “I’ve been wanting to meet you since the day I started.”
He was instantly intrigued. “How did you know who I was?”
“You’re Sebastian Schultz’s best friend. Doesn’t everyone know who you are?”
“I guess I don’t think much about that since we’ve been friends forever. But yeah, people often know my name because of him.”
“What’s it like having a famous best friend?”
“We’ve known each other since we were young. Our families are old friends. So, to me, he’s just Bash.”
“The Schultzes seem like a nice family from all I’ve seen of them in the media.”