Page 31 of Sugar
“Why did you choose Coastal?” he asked, turning it on me again.
“They have the best journalism department in the state.”
“And that’s what you want to do after graduation?”
Gallons of water filled my lungs as heaviness pressed down on my chest, threatening to drown me in an ocean of panic and uncertainty.
I pushed it away and gave a forced laugh. “I’m not ready to deal with all that. Maybe I’ll keep going to college indefinitely. I could get my medical degree next.”
“Or law. You’ve got cross-examination down.”
“Only if everyone is cool with the fact I always start crying when I argue.”
“Juries might be a bit thrown.”
“That’s what I figured.” Realizing I was smiling, I did my best to smother the unconscious response and at least pretend to be a professional. “One thing I couldn’t work out is what specialty of law you practice.”
After finding a few mentions of him by a popular actor, I’d thought maybe entertainment law, but that wouldn’t explain why Doug wanted to hire him.
Not unless Greer’s dad was secretly pursuing a reality show—something that was a distinct possibility.
I would watch it.
But that didn’t account for the few businesses he’d also represented.
“That’s because I don’t,” he said.
“You don’t practice law?” My brows lowered, and I tilted my head toward the framed accreditations that hung on his wall. “Did you have them printed at one of those novelty kiosks in the mall? I think they could also make you look like an old-timey crook.”
He chuckled, and I was struck again by how good it sounded. The roughness could’ve been thanks to his gravelly voice, but I also got the impression that his laughter was as rare as his smiles seemed to be.
“I don’t stay in one lane,” he clarified. “It gets monotonous. I like to handle whatever cases I feel like.”
“Because of the aforementioned control issues,” I joked before I could stop myself.
Thankfully, he wasn’t insulted and gave a firm nod. “Exactly.”
“So if you had to narrow it down…”
“I clean up messes.”
“Do you have a favorite mess?”
“Not one I’m at liberty to share.”
I figured as much.
I made my way through more of my standard interview questions, all geared to highlight his success—and Coastal’s role in said success.
Going off that, I took June’s suggestion. “Of all the many awards you have, which is your favorite or the most meaningful?”
On the surface, he looked unfazed. Until my gaze landed on his rapidly reddening ears. “June has a big mouth.”
I didn’t deny she’d planted the idea since he would likely spot the lie.
“The majority are sent thanks to charitable contributions that I made to do good in the world, not to have that money wasted by sticking my name on a plaque.”
“Like a bench?” I asked, remembering Joel’s throwaway comment to Easton in the hallway.
