He wanted nothing to do with Tori and the turmoil she brought to his life.
*
Why hadn’t shecalled Kristen and mentioned her new job?
The question had bounded around Tori’s brain more than once in the last twenty-four hours.
Maybe then she might’ve had some forewarning she’d be working alongside Mr. Aggravating JILF.
While holding a coffee in each hand, Tori was about to attempt opening the door to her office when one of the male lawyers rushed to do it for her.
She flashed him a grateful smile. “Thank you for that.”
“I hope that coffee is for me?” a female voice rang out.
Once inside, she nudged the door shut with her hip and turned to her coworker, Grace. The black woman was super-friendly, probably in her early thirties, and full of knowledge.
“It absolutely is.” She set it down on the other woman’s desk. “As a big thank-you for being so patient with me on my first day.”
“Seriously? I’m just so happy you’re here. The last girl quit and we’re coming up on summer associate season. It gets a little wild in here.” She took a sip of coffee and met Tori’s gaze over the cup. “So, did I hear you know James Watson?”
Tori stilled the tiniest bit, but didn’t allow any other reaction. Her smile stayed bright and her eyes stayed calm.
“I do, actually. He’s my best friend’s older brother.”
And I’ve had my tongue in his mouth, but that doesn’t really seem relevant.
“Oh, really? Nice. Well he seems like a good guy, and we’re happy to have him at Wright and Williams.” Grace gave her a sideways glance. “Just like we’re thrilled to have you. What’s your initial impression to working here?”
“I’m loving it.”
It was the truth. It was fun and challenging, and this new job was the best opportunity she’d had since graduation. The pay was good too. And it was an open door into the legal field—because she hadn’t ruled out trying for law school. The idea had always toyed in the back of her mind because she loved to argue.
Along with the usual thoughts that came with it.
The LSAT would kick your ass.
People with fucked-up childhoods don’t just grow up and become lawyers.
You’d have to sell a kidney to pay for law school if you got in.
She’d get in.
It wasn’t cockiness that made her know that, it was realism. For all the shit she’d gone through in her early years, she’d never struggled academically. She was actually “super-fucking smart,” as Kristen loved to brag on her behalf.
The 4.0 had been consistent in high school and college. And she’d worked her ass off to keep it that way.
“I’m really glad to hear that. Remember, I’m here for any questions or concerns you have.” Grace returned to her desk. “I sent you some documents you’ll want to read through, and I can check in with you in a bit.”
“Sounds great.”
Tori settled in at the desk she’d been given and opened her email.
By the time lunch rolled around, she could almost forget that James worked at the same place as her. They didn’t see each other all that often, which was surprising. The firm took up three floors in the building, and unfortunately, his office was on the same one as hers.
When she walked into the lunchroom later, she realized her luck had run out.
James sat at a table with a bunch of other guys. The spot was clearly primo because it gave a stellar view of the waterfront between the other high rises.