“I told youI’mtaking you out to lunch.” He lightly bumped her shoulder. “It’s my treat to celebrate your first trial.”
“After this morning’s performance, it might turn out to be a disaster,” she muttered, worry staining her words.
He stopped her in the middle of the sidewalk—undeterred by the annoyed glances of their fellow pedestrians—and turned her to face him, his hands firmly on her shoulders. “We both know you won’t allow that to happen.”
She searched his face and tears filled her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. “No, I won’t.”
“You got this, Lizzy Chung.” Jack gave her shoulders one last squeeze—wishing he could share the burden of her anxiety—then started down the road again. The best he could do was take her mind off her worries for a couple of hours. “I have no idea where we’re going, so lead the way.”
“How was your drive to LA?” She turned at a corner, and he followed.
“It wasn’t bad,” he said with a shrug, not mentioning that he drove down the night before. He wasn’t trying to keep his interview this morning a secret from her, but he didn’t want to say anything until things were certain.
The interview had gone well as far as he could tell, but that didn’t mean McBain Corporation would offer him the job. He was a thirty-year-old man applying for an entry-level business analyst position with no prior experience other than working at his family’s microbrewery. He was no doubt competing against a slew of kids fresh out of college with their young, pliable minds. But given the chance, he would work his ass off to exceed everyone’s expectations… even his own.
Lizzy would be excited at the prospect of him moving to Los Angeles and would support him no matter what, but talking about the interview would make things feel too real. He couldn’t help but hang his hope on getting the job—for the chance to discover his latent potential and thrive—but if he didn’t get it, it would be easier knowing he’d only disappointed himself.
“When are you driving back?” she asked a bit too casually.
He shot her an amused glance and answered her real question. “After I watch your opening statement.”
She flashed him a grateful smile, which quickly turned mischievous. “Don’t worry. It’ll be worth the extra traffic. It’s going to be better thanLaw & Order.”
“You don’t say?” He raised a skeptical eyebrow, reining in his grin. He was relieved to see Lizzy’s confidence restored even though she was probably putting on a brave face. Hopefully, shewould be able to convince herself that she was going to kick ass by the end of their lunch.
“I do.” She fluttered her fingers in a subtle version of jazz hands, and tender affection rushed through him. What should rightfully be cringeworthy was rendered adorable when committed by her. “Prepare to be dazzled.”
Jack chuckled, darting a glance at her smiling face. Little did she know that she had always dazzled him.
CHAPTER TWO
“Has the jury reached a verdict?” Judge Reiner swiveled his chair toward the jury box.
“Yes, Your Honor.” The foreperson’s voice rang with the excitement of someone who was nearly done with her jury duty.
Lizzy clenched and unclenched her hands beneath the table. Seven days of trial on less than four hours of sleep a night all came down to this single moment. She inhaled through her nose and subtly exhaled through her mouth. When she heard a small whimper from beside her, she snuck a quick peek at her associate, but Katie’s expression remained calm and professional. Reassured that the younger attorney would retain her composure, she focused on her own.
Her blood was pounding in her ears, but she had taken a full dose of her anxiety medication this morning, so the walls refrained from closing in on her. Even so, she kept up with her deep breathing while she waited for the verdict to be delivered.
“The jury finds in favor of Defendant Jubilee Toy Company on all counts.”
Heady relief filled Lizzy, and she took in a lungful of air thateven her deep breathing couldn’t quite achieve before. After a quick round of housekeeping, the trial was officially over. They had won. But the thrill of the win that the other trial lawyers spoke of wasn’t there. Shouldn’t she be doing cartwheels in her head? Maybe it hadn’t sunk in yet. She did feel a bit numb.
Before the odd sense of disappointment could take root, Lizzy smiled at Katie and extended her hand to her. “Congratulations. You did an incredible job.”
“Congratulations to you, too. You were amazing,” her associate replied, pumping her hand enthusiastically.
“Please make sure Michael interviews as many of the jurors as he can,” she said, holding back a wince. She didn’t relish giving the younger attorney more work even before the high of the win wore off. “Let’s find out what made them rule in our favor.”
“He’s already on it,” Katie said with a deservedly smug smile.
Lizzy laughed lightly. “You’re the best.”
She turned toward the plaintiff’s table, but her opposing counsel refused to meet her eyes. Keeping her head resolutely lowered to the table, Carol Monty haphazardly stacked her files and forced them into her briefcase with short, jerky movements. Lizzy watched her for a moment and came to a decision. She didn’t want to end the trial on yet another antagonistic note. The solo practitioner did an admirable job on the trial. They didn’t have to hug it out and become social media buddies, but she wasn’t going to let her go without at least shaking her hand.
Carol at last shouldered her briefcase and headed past her. When Lizzy reached out a hand to stop her, her opposing counsel shot her a bitter glance and nearly snarled at her. “I’ll see you at appeals.”
“Ms. Monty,” Lizzy called after her quickly retreating back, but Carol didn’t bother turning around. So much for an amicable end to the trial.
