Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 52699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
“Well…” He took a seat. “I personally think I could make your reputation around this town a bit more likable.”
“Likable?”
“Man to man,” he said, “I mean, man to men, every firm in this city despises you, and I think it’s because from the outside looking in, you’re way too cocky about being number one.”
Andrew and I exchanged glances, and Mr. Hardman slid one of our business cards down the table.
“Like this thing,” he said. “The business card literally says, ‘Welcome to the firm’ and nothing else, as if you’re the only firm in town. There’s not even a phone number on it.”
“I designed those cards,” I said. “Our clients seem to find us without any trouble.”
“Understandable, but my generation is the social media generation. We need to feel connected beyond the business. We want to feel like you care about us long after the money is exchanged. We want you to comfort us whenever—”
“Get out,” Andrew and I spoke in unison.
“What?”
“Now,” we spoke in unison again, and he glared at us before leaving the room.
“Hmmm.” I picked up the business card and stared at it. “Do you like our cards?”
“I love our cards.”
“Should we add our contact information?”
“I told you to do that years ago.”
“Maybe that’s why I didn’t do it.”
“Thirty seconds?” Jessica barged into the room. “Did you ask Mr. Hardman any real questions, or did you bully him into leaving after he said one thing you didn’t like?”
“He insulted Mr. Carter’s business cards.” Andrew smiled. “I was hurt on his behalf.”
“Okay, that’s it.” She grabbed a chair. “Make room. I’m sitting in on the rest of these.”
The remaining candidates were a mix of dull and uninspiring, and all I did was replay my morning interview with Elizabeth. I was tempted to schedule a second interview to steal one last glimpse of her face and confront her with her egregious lies.
“Okay,” Andrew said after our final candidate left. “I vote for nobody today. You?”
“Same.”
“What about Miss Tanner?”
“She only showed up to thank us for the opportunity.” I refused to let him even think about it. “She received an offer she couldn’t refuse from another firm, so she shouldn’t be considered.”
“That’s quite unfortunate.”
No, it’s quite necessary.
GOOD FAITH (N.)
HONEST INTENT TO ACT WITHOUT TAKING AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OVER ANOTHER PERSON OR TO FULFILL A PROMISE TO ACT, EVEN WHEN SOME LEGAL TECHNICALITY IS NOT FULFILLED
ELIZABETH
“Olivia Benson! Elliot Stabler!” I called for my kittens when I made it home.
They didn’t come running toward me. Instead, they stared at me from the couch, unfazed about my return.
“Ugh, fine then.” I set down my umbrella. “I won’t tell you about my day.”
“I’d love to hear about your day.” Frank, my on-and-off boyfriend, stepped into the living room.
“Whoa, you scared me.” I placed a hand against my chest. “What are you doing here?”
“The police department called,” he said. “Something about a car that was registered in my name that they towed.”
“Yeah uh…” I sighed. “The registration should be switched to my name by the end of the month. Thanks for helping me switch the state tags.”
“Were you driving back from your other boyfriend’s place?” he asked. “Why couldn’t he pay to get it towed for you?”
“For the umpteenth time, I’ve never cheated on you, Frank.” I slid out of my heels. “Can we postpone this argument until the weekend? I’ve had a really terrible day.”
“What if I had a terrible day, too?”
“Then we can share a bucket of ice cream and watch a TV show together,” I said. “Let’s commiserate until morning.”
“Is ‘commiserate’ your way of saying I can finally get my dick wet inside you?”
“What?”
“We haven’t had sex in forever, Elizabeth,” he said. “You’ve been too busy getting screwed by someone else to notice.”
“I’ve been trying to land a job at a firm, Frank.” I tried to keep my voice even. “Whenever I’m not writing or working on a script, I’ve been busting my ass trying to find something that’ll pay me well.”
“My father sent you an offer letter from his firm.” He stepped closer. “It’s six figures just like you asked, with every other weekend as you need for ‘personal reasons,’ and you haven’t jumped on it. Why?”
Because you work there. “I’m waiting to get a few more offers, so I can compare.”
“You want to play hardball?”
“No, Frank,” I said. “I want to make sure I’m making the best decision.”
“The best decision you ever made,” he said, stepping forward, “was getting with me. I didn’t care that you weren’t from an Ivy-bred family like mine, and I didn’t even care that you went to a community college before getting into law school.”
“For someone who ‘doesn’t care,’ you sure do bring those things up a lot.”
“It’s just to remind you how lucky you are.” He cupped my face in his hands. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m lucky, too. You’ve taught me a lot about how people who aren’t wealthy live, and I’m forever grateful to you for that, but…”