Page 9 of Not That Guy

“Yeah, sure. His firm is small but high quality.” Grady shrugged. “He’s a good attorney. I could work with Fleming—why, you’ve got an issue with him? He’s always seemed like a pretty solid guy. Knowledgeable and levelheaded. Plus, he’s excellent in child custody cases.”

“No, no issues. We knew each other in law school.” I grimaced, and Grady laughed.

“So it was like that? Listen, law school isn’t the real world. Besides, that was fifteen years ago—a lifetime. You’re not the same person you were then, and I’ll bet he isn’t either. I’m sure if he comes over, you’ll be able to work with him.”

Once Grady left, I sent the file to my paralegal to be updated, and yawned. I hadn’t had a moment to myself this past month. I sat in my chair, listening to blessed silence.

So of course the phone rang, and my secretary buzzed me.

“It’s Daniel.”

“Thanks.” I waited for the click . “Hello? Daniel?”

“Weston. I’m heading back to the office. Are you going to be there in the next hour?”

I checked my calendar. “Yes. I have a phone conference on the Fuentes-Sterner case, but other than that, I’m free.”

“Okay. See you then.”

“Uh, can—”

But the phone went dead, and I had little time to ruminate, as my paralegal entered with the file for my phone conference and I had to prep.

Luckily, it was a mediation, and both sides agreed to be…

agreeable. Cases like this put me in a better mood, and afterward I strolled into Daniel’s office.

He pointed to the chair in front of his desk.

“Sit, sit.”

I could tell something was up, but I kept my thoughts to myself.

“We’ve made some decisions, and Brenner Fleming and Grady Allen will be coming on board as partners.

You and Brenner have each indicated that there’s a bit of a history between you, but Brenner has assured me that it’s all in the past and will have no bearing on your ability to work together.

” Stern-faced, he removed his glasses. “I’m certain you can give me the same guarantee? ”

“Of course.” Recalling my earlier conversation with Grady, I realized he was right. “Too many years have passed to keep up a silly rivalry that has no meaning in the real world. We’re adults, and our main concern is serving our clients.”

I could play nice in the sandbox.

Daniel chuckled. “Good to hear that my words have had the desired effect on you. As I mentioned, we’re also beefing up our real-estate and estates-and-trust divisions. We’re looking to increase our billings significantly with all these additions.”

“More money is always a good thing.” Maybe it was crass to say out loud, but I always spoke my mind. “I know what Grady brings to the firm, but how is Fleming a rainmaker for us? I’m not questioning you, obviously. Just curious.”

“It’s convoluted, but Brenner is friends with restaurant owner Tony Gigante.”

“I see.” Something niggled in my brain. “Isn’t Gigante related to the mob?”

Daniel sighed. “I’ve yet to see any proof, and believe me, I’ve looked. But aside from Gigante’s restaurant connections, and his wife’s beauty business, Brenner is friendly with Gigante’s wife, Christine. And she comes with a very big fish—Madden Steele.”

I whistled. “Now that’s a name I recognize. Very big fish indeed. I’m sure he has his own attorneys, though.”

“With the money Steele Industries has, they have their businesses spread around. We’d be handling some of the corporate tax work.

” Darkness settled over Daniel’s face. “Brenner mentioned that Christine Gigante has quite a few friends who are contemplating divorce. Sad, isn’t it?

It’s the one part of the job I’ve never liked—benefiting off someone else’s misery.

” He pinched his eyes shut for a moment.

“But then again, I guess we’re also helping people start new lives. ”

“And escape from terrible situations. Although some don’t know when to give up and walk away. They keep holding on to something that died.”

Perhaps something in my voice caught Daniel’s attention because he said, “Anything you want to talk about, Weston? You know my door is always open.”

But mine wasn’t. I’d slammed it shut, locked it up tight, and thrown away the key.

“No, just ruminating on the past month of cases I’ve seen.”

“Such as? Care to share with me? Perhaps I could help.”

A dispirited sigh escaped me. “Do you ever get tired seeing the breakdown of a marriage? All the hate that was once love? I know you and Rachel have been married for almost half a century, but sometimes I wonder if that’s a thing of the past.”

“And you reaffirmed exactly why I campaigned to have you come to New York and work with me. It’s not despair you feel. It’s your heart aching.” I watched as Daniel left his chair to come sit by my side. “I know your father wasn’t the best role model. But you believe in fidelity. Love.”

“Whoa.” I held up a hand. “I don’t know how you ended up there, but that’s not where I was heading. And as far as Brenner Fleming and what he can bring to the firm, sounds good. If you’re happy, so am I.” The last thing I needed was to unburden my sad self to my senior partner.

Daniel studied my face. “Good. He’ll be here tomorrow. I’ll bring him by to say hello.”

I nodded. “I’ll see you then. I’d better get back to my office. I have a client who’s unhappy with the custody arrangement her husband is looking for, and I’m afraid it could get ugly.”

“Okay. Good luck.”

My upcoming call would be miserable, but I couldn’t help the smile on my face at the thought of seeing Brenner in the morning.

I might’ve told Daniel that our rivalry was silly, but sparring with him had always put me in a good mood, and I relished the opportunity to flex those muscles.

I returned to my office, but before I called the client, I made an appointment for a haircut.

Had to look my best when I came face-to-face with the enemy.