I nod and he leaves.
I flop down in the big chair behind my desk and spin around, unable to control the giggling laughter that explodes out of me. When I stop spinning, I’m dizzy. My eyes finally focus, and I stare down at the view of the city. This is it. I’ve really made it. I was worried about failing, but I won’t allow it. I’ll never get another opportunity like this and I won’t let it slip through my fingers, no matter what. Everything is going to be great.
3
Lonnie
Things are not great. I go to the wall of windows in my office and stare out into the cityscape, wishing I was just beyond it on my boat that’s docked in the marina. I let out a groan. Being around Savanna and seeing her in the tub has been a pleasant distraction, but as soon as she’s out of my sight, my mind wanders back to thoughts of the new business partner that I’m bringing into the firm and the mess I’ve made of everything. He’s not just any partner. He’s one that I desperately need. The buy-in money he’ll bring with him is the only chance to save this firm. It’s not doing as well as I lead Savanna to believe.
Yes, technically all the numbers add up, and on paper I’m quite wealthy. But every penny that I have is tied up in this firm. If my company fails, I’m done, and I’ll be left penniless. My new partner, Mr. Sapline, will bring new clients—high-profile clients—that will earn beyond the injection of partner cash. It all sounds great, right, so what’s wrong? The problem is Mr. Sapline doesn’t work with people in family law who haven’t experienced family law. He believes everyone taking on these cases should be married. Kids are optional, but a bonus. I don’t have either of those things. Stupid me, told him I did.
Lying to him about my family situation was the dumbest thing I’ve ever done. I deceived the one man with the power to save my ass. But I was desperate. We’d gone out for drinks to discuss expectations. I swooned over his list of celebrity clients, people everyone has heard of. I had stars and dollar signs in my eyes. Every time I opened my mouth, a new lie came out. Partly desperation, partly the alcohol speaking. Now that I’m sober as hell, I don’t know what to do.
Mr. Sapline will be here in two days and I need to figure out how to fix this mess before he arrives.
I sit down in my chair and adjust the tie that Savanna fixed in the stairway. I can’t believe how much she’s changed since the last time I saw her before she went off to college. She’s really grown into a stunning woman. After seeing her like that, masturbating in the tub, I can hardly focus. Really, I need to be more concerned with my financial situation and Mr. Sapline, but I can’t get Savanna out of my head.
Thinking about her gets me worked up and my dick stirs in my pants. An image of her father, Stan—my former best friend since college—pops into my head, his face furious, barely contained rage, and my hard-on instantly goes away. My mood slumps. I have to resist Savanna no matter what. Savanna is the reason Stan and I are no longer friends in the first place, though I don’t think she knows that.
I manage to keep my head down and focus on work the rest of the day. Savanna is a go-getter, a real self-starter. I knew she’d be good at this. When she needs help, she goes to Mick, and, per my request, Mick reports back to me. So far, the only thing she needed help with was finding certain programs on our computer and locating the toner for the printer. Other than that, she knows all the ins and outs of the system and the legal jargon. Every time I walk past her office, I see her with her head bent down, nose buried in her notes.
By the end of the day, I have three files in my inbox from her. Skimming through them, I realize they’re impeccable. Well researched and she even leaves suggestions in track changes that I would expect from a seasoned lawyer. This girl is a godsend. How the hell could other law offices not have snatched her up right off the graduation stage? Their loss, I guess.
As I’m leaving for the day, the sun sets, painting the walls different shades of orange and violet. When I look into Savanna’s office, I notice the setting sunlight makes a halo effect around her beautiful blond head. She looks angelic.
I walk up to her door to tell her she can leave. She’s an over achiever, always has been. But I don’t want her to burn out. Law has a way of doing that to people in the beginning. It can be overwhelming.