“I suppose this means we’re all still in the running for the associate position,” she said with a little sniff.
Bryce’s smile faded too. “Not for long,” he said. “I heard they’ll be making the decision soon.”
I knew that competition was part of the deal, working in law, but I was still a little disappointed that our happy moment of comradery had faded so quickly. We all scattered pretty quickly after that, and I wove through the crowd with Emerson at my side, looking for the partners.
Instead we kept running into people that Emerson knew. Some of them from the party at his parents’ house. He was the perfect date, re-introducing me to people, making sure that I knew who they were and why they were important—because everyone at the party was important in some way to the firm.
“She just passed the bar,” he told absolutely everyone. “Not that I’m surprised,” he would add quickly after. “I always knew she would.”
He was possibly the world’s best boyfriend—talking me up to everyone like I was some sort of celebrity. I could see the way that people reacted to him—everyone knew that he was a Hayes—and the way they reacted to me once they knew how high he held me in regard.
“You’re good at this,” I mentioned to him after we had excused ourselves from another one of his high-powered acquaintances.
“Runs in the family,” he told me with a wink. “I was born schmoozing.”
It certainly felt that way, and the longer I spent with Emerson, the more easily it seemed to be for me to follow his lead and schmooze with the best of them.
Then, Emerson’s hand tightened in mine. I turned around to find his parents coming towards us, both of them wearing big smiles on their faces.
“Mother.” Emerson gave his mother an air kiss. “Father.” The two men shook hands.
“We were hoping we’d see you here,” Portia commented before giving me an air kiss of my own. “You look absolutely lovely, my dear. Jenny Packham?” she asked, looking at my dress. “Very flattering on your figure. Wonderful designer. Friend of the family, you know.”
I didn’t know, but I wasn’t surprised. Of course the Hayes family knew everyone worth knowing, from lawyers to dress designers.
“Good to see you again, Alexandra,” Henry said to me. “I’ve heard rumblings that congratulations are in order.”
I was surprised. Had Emerson told his parents or had the news just spread that quickly?
“Thank you,” I told him, smiling. “I’m just glad that the wait is over.”
“Now let’s hope that the firm will make the right decision when it comes to choosing a permanent associate,” Henry added.
The partners seemed to have unnaturally good hearing—or they just knew where the Hayeses were at all times—because within a few minutes, we were surrounded.
“Henry,” Arthur greeted him. “How good to see you.”
“We couldn’t miss an opportunity to show our support,” Henry said jovially. “Alexandra is a great girl.”
I felt Emerson tense beside me, but I didn’t understand why. I thought it was sweet that his parents had come out—and it definitely helped put me in better standing with the partners. And he was being so complimentary and kind—like father, like son.
“Alex has been singing the praises of your firm,” Henry continued. “And I daresay she’s very close to convincing me that I should start seriously considering switching my legal team.”
I paused. He almost made it sound mercenary, but that wasn’t what I had been doing. We’d only met twice so far, and I hadn’t said a word about luring him to the firm, but now he was making it sound like I had gone after him with a plan.
“Actually—” I started to correct him, but the partners were already pulling him away.
“I didn’t know you and my father were having private conversations,” Emerson said when we were alone.
“Hardly.” I smiled, turning back to him. “We spoke briefly at the party and once more when he came to the office, but that’s it. He’s exaggerating,” I added, wanting to be sure Emerson knew I wasn’t chasing his father to switch firms. “He’s the one who mentioned he might be looking for new representation, and I just smiled along.”
“Really?” Emerson looked skeptical.
“Look, I know his business is a big deal, and it would look good for me to bring him in as a client,” I admitted, “but I promise, I haven’t tried to poach him or anything.”
For a moment, Emerson didn’t say anything. Then he let out a heavy sigh.
“I should have seen this coming,” he said. “This is what my father does. He couldn’t get to me directly, so he’s going through you.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, confused. “Your father was just trying to be helpful.”
Emerson shook his head. “He’s never helpful,” he said shortly. “Everything he does comes with a price. He just hasn’t revealed it yet.”
“That seems kind of . . . paranoid?” I asked gently.
“You don’t know him the way that I do,” Emerson told me.
“Maybe he’s changed,” I suggested.
“Maybe,” Emerson said, but he seemed doubtful.
“Maybe he’s trying to be nice,” I offered. “What would happen if you let him?”
Emerson sighed and gave me a smile. It was a little forced, but some of the tension left him.
“Pretty sure I can’t say no to you,” he said, pulling me close.
“I like the sound of that,” I told him, and rewarded him with a kiss.
When it came time for dinner, we were seated at the same table with Emerson’s parents, with Henry and Emerson next to each other. I crossed my fingers under the table, hoping that Emerson would be able to give his father the benefit of the doubt and that they would stop circling each other like wary animals.
“How is the bar coming along?” Emerson’s father asked as we were served our salads.
“Good.” Emerson stabbed at his food with more force than seemed necessary.
I put my hand on his leg and gave it an encouraging squeeze. He gave me a smile and tried again.
“It’s going really well,” he said. “Business is booming and we’ve already been getting a lot of great press, thanks to a friend of Alex’s.”
“Rascals generates its own good press,” I spoke up. “It’s an amazing place—great vibes, wonderful food, and delicious beer. It’s going to be the number one bar in the neighborhood in no time. I just know it.”
Henry nodded. “And your investors are pleased?”
“If you’re talking about the rest of the guys, then sure, we’re all very pleased. But it’s still very early,” Emerson stated. “We probably won’t start making a profit for another year. Which is to be expected.”
“That’s better than expected,” his father noted. “That’s quite good planning there, son.”
I thought that Emerson would be pleased with the compliment, but he just nodded, his lips pressed into a thin, straight line.
“I’ve taken the time to speak to a few other potential investors,” Henry announced. “And if the bar is doing as well as you say it is, then they will be very interested in buying out the current partners and re-launching Rascals as a franchise.”
I stared at him. What was he talking about? Buy the bar out from under Emerson?
Emerson looked pissed, but he kept his voice level.
“We’re not interested,” he told his father.
“You haven’t even taken a look at what I’m proposing,” Henry argued, but Emerson shot him a look.
“You haven’t even taken a look at the bar,” he responded. “You don’t know anything about Rascals. It’s unique. It’s not part of a chain or some faceless bar where no one knows anyone.”
“I know that you can do better than just one little bar,” his father told him. “You’re a Hayes, for God’s sakes. You shouldn’t be managing a bar. You should be building an empire of them.” A sneer appeared on Henry’s face. “Unless you’ve decided you want a mediocre life.”
“I’m not having this discussion with you,” Emerson said firmly, but his father ignored him.
“Where’s your ambition?” his father demanded.
“Just because my ambition doesn’t match yours, doesn’t mean I don’t have any,” Emerson said through gritted teeth. “My version of success is just different than yours.”
“That’s just an excuse,” Henry argued, his voice growing louder.
They had begun to attract attention from other tables, which Emerson seemed to notice. He got up from the table, throwing his napkin down.
“I thought that your relationship with Alex was a sign that you were finally willing to rejoin the family.” Henry stood up as well, the two of them nose to nose. “Because she understands what you have to do to succeed.”
“And I thought that maybe, just maybe, you could be proud of something I’ve achieved, instead of just tearing me down.” Emerson turned and stormed
out of the ballroom.
I got up to follow him, but Henry grabbed my arm.
“Convince him that this is for the best,” he told me. “You can bring him around.”
“This isn’t my place,” I tried to argue.
“You want what’s best for him, don’t you?” Henry didn’t even wait for my response before steamrolling on.
“We’re in this together, my girl. Convince Emerson to franchise the bar, and I’ll make sure I bring my future business to your firm. You help me, I help you.”
I was speechless. Emerson had been right. All of his supposed kindness and caring had just being laying the groundwork for some quid pro quo. I wanted nothing to do with it, but I wasn’t about to dump my drink on his head and make a scene like I wanted to.