Page 121 of By Invitation Only

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Booker

Iwoke up before my alarm. Today was the day I’d find out if I made partner. I’d never worked so hard for something in my entire life, and my nerves were getting the best of me. While at the gym, I caught myself staring off into space instead of lifting. I also ran for ten minutes longer than I normally did on the treadmill, which caused me to run late. Luckily I’d remembered my suit for work, though I had replenished my back up one in my locker.

“Would you like a cup of tea?” Monica asked as I walked past her desk.

“I need coffee this morning.”

She blinked. “Okay.”

“OneSteviaand a splash of cream, please,” I added as I walked into my office.

After hanging my jacket on the coatrack, I pulled my mobile from my trousers and saw that I had a text from Peyton.

Peyton:Good luck today, baby. I know you’re going to be the best partner L&T has. I love you.

I smiled as I read her text and replied back.

Me:Thanks, gorgeous. I love you too.

As I set the mobile on my desk, another text chimed.

Peyton:Call me when you know.

Me:I will.

“Today’s the day.”

I looked up from my mobile to see Randy walking in my door. Behind him was Monica with my coffee.

“Thank you,” I said to Monica as I took my coffee from her.

Randy sat in the chair in front of my desk, and I took my seat then took a sip of the java. “So, you buying lunch to celebrate when you make partner?”

“Shouldn’t you buy me lunch?” I countered.

“You’ll get a pay raise. Only fair you buy.”

“I don’t think it works that way.” I smiled.

Even though Randy and I had been at L&T for almost the same amount of time, he wasn’t set on making partner. He had no desire to become one. He was happy with the cases he was pulling in and going home at five-thirty every night. Especially now that he and Lorelei were seeing each other.

“Fine, I’ll buy you lunch.”

I smiled. “That’s how it should be.”

“Well, meeting should start soon. Are you ready?”

I lifted my coffee cup and quickly drank the lukewarm liquid. “Yeah, let’s go.”

People clapped me on the back as we made our way to the conference room. When I saw Clint, I glared, not saying a word. He didn’t either. I didn’t understand how he felt he’d make partner over me. I’d worked until my eyes felt as though they were bleeding while he went home to play house.

We all gathered around the wood table, and when Mitch came in, he started the meeting. “I hope everyone had a nice Christmas and enjoyed your week off.”

No week off for me, Mitchy.

After he went over cases and what the plan was for January, he said, “Our ladies in billing came in early this morning to run the numbers for Booker and Clint. They knew we’d want to announce who made partner during this meeting, so the person I’m about to announce should really give Nicole and Bridgette something special. Plus, as you know, they cut the paychecks.”