“But seriously, enough about Anton Waltons, and on to your new job. I’m so happy for you.” Maddy said, doing a little shimmy. “Have you told anyone else?”
I shook my head. “Today has been so overwhelming. I can’t believe I start work tomorrow.” I stood up. “I’m going to call my parents and let them know.”
“Do you remember Dani Saints and Carla White? They would be blown away to find out you got a well-paying job barely a day after you left home.”
At the mention of the two most popular girls in our high school, I grinned. “They said we’d never amount to anything. Funny thing is, Dani is a hostess at Cracker Barrel, granted it’s her family business. As for Carla, I don’t know what she’s up to, but the last I heard, she hasn’t accomplished anything more impressive than I have.”
“Well, lawdy-daw! Funny how somethings said never leave one’s mind,” Maddison said, grinning from ear to ear. She held up a drumstick as if to toast me.
I chuckled, heading to my room to call my parents.
During a quick FaceTime, my mom cried. Tears of joy, and it got my eyes misty. There was no going back home now. My dad was calm and collected, as always. Before I hung up, they both told me how proud they were of me. Seeing them reminded me where I came from, the unwavering support they have always given me. Out here, they weren’t at arm’s length as they had always been.
Did I have what it took to make them prouder and rise in my career as I wanted? Only the future would tell.
I went back to sit by Maddison, who had brought a bottle of non-alcoholic wine from the fridge.
“We need to celebrate, yes?” she asked.
“Of course,” I answered. Taking a look at the label, I couldn’t hold back the chuckle. “What are we, eight?”
I wasn’t one to drink copious amounts of alcohol, but I allowed myself a glass of real wine now and again.
Maddison popped the top of the bottle and poured the wine into two glasses. “It’s Tuesday, Celia. There’s no way I'm letting you start your new job hungover. Tomorrow, a new kind of stressbegins. But today, we drink non-alcoholic wine, eat cold chicken, and watch TV.”
“Alright, then, let the celebration begin.” I took the glass of rosé from her, and we clinked them together in a toast. The bubbles tickled my nose as I sipped, still unable to shake off the amazement of being hired by such a sought-after firm. Ready or not, tomorrow would come soon enough—but tonight, I was content to just be here, savoring the calm before the storm.
Chapter five
Anton
The elevator’s occupants were all nervous about the upcoming meeting as we headed down to the lower floor. Olivia’s anxious tic was tapping her fingers on her clipboard as she was now, and the two paralegals were practically biting their nails.
Unlike them, I felt energized. Something about taking on cases and winning them gave me the glee of victory each time, especially since each case was unique and challenging in its unique way. That was why I chose law.
Before we reached the bottom floor, the elevator dinged, and the doors opened. The person waiting to join our ride instantly captured my attention. Celia Adams, the new employee, stood there, smartly dressed in a champagne-colored blazer and skirt, her blond hair styled in large, loose curls this time.
Oh, yes, I definitely prefer the hair loose.
She had a soft gasp when she saw me. Her eyes widened for a split second, and she hesitated, unsure of herself. For a moment,she reminded me of a fawn caught in the headlights. Her cheeks bloomed with color, only making her even more attractive.
Just as the elevator doors started to close, she stepped inside. The doors jolted and disappeared back into the wall. Olivia pressed the button to close them so we could be on our way.
“Excuse me,” Celia muttered, settling into the corner beside me.
We stood side by side, our sleeves brushing against each other. Why was she coming down with us if she wasn’t joining the meeting?
“Running for the hills already?” I tease, unable to resist.
“Are you here to stop me if I am?” she countered with a slight smile.
It surprised me how easily we slipped back into the casual rapport we’d established at the bookstore, especially in front of my other employees.
“I would certainly try,” I replied.
Her blush deepened slightly. “I forgot my purse at home this morning, and my cousin came to drop it off.”
“Ah.” I glanced at the file in her hands. Today was her first day, and I didn’t know she’d already been assigned a case. “What’s this?” I asked, fingering the corner of the case file.
