The Intern

17

“You didn’t.” I huffed air out of my mouth. “I know you didn’t just go there.”

“All the new hires get an intern,” Dominick added, like he was trying to soften the blow. “We’re not singling you out. In fact, if we didn’t assign you one, it would look like we were playing favorites.”

“But I am a favorite. The three of you are my friends. That must count for something.”

“Oh, it does,” Jenner replied, tapping his hand over the folder. “We gave you everything you asked for—things you wouldn’t have gotten if you weren’t our friend.”

I bent my fingers together, gripping them with full strength. “You gave me what I deserve—you all know that. What I don’t understand is how you’re not going to give your top litigator a pass. Do you have any f*****g idea how busy I’m going to be?”

“Precisely the reason why an intern would be so helpful. Aside from your regular team, that’ll give you another set of hands to help out.”

“You’re a shitty salesperson, Jenner. Not a goddamn thing you just said has sold me on any of this.”

“Declan,” Dominick started, wrapping his hands around his coffee cup, “this isn’t negotiable. You’re going to get an intern whether you want one or not.”

I took a breath, trying to calm myself before I exploded. “Show me the candidates.” I lifted my hand in the air, circling my finger. “Line them up right now, so I can hear their qualifications and pick the smartest, most submissive one you’ve got.”

“Submissive.” Jenner laughed. “Jesus.”

“Can you picture me with someone type A?” I paused. “Do you really think that would be in the best interests of your firm and the intern’s future here?”

“We’ll pair you with someone appropriate, I assure you,” Dominick voiced. “It’s a random selection, but we’ll make sure the two of you are a good fit.”

I turned my chair toward my friend. I’d never wanted to choke his ass out more than I did right now. “You mean to tell me you’re not even going to let me choose my own intern?”

He shook his head.

“Oh”—I laughed—“you’ve got f*****g balls.”

The boys had known this would piss me off.

That was why they’d had me sign the contract first.

I ground my teeth. “You know, I could get you for breach of contract. Nowhere on those papers”—I stopped to point at the thick folder—“does it state anything about an intern.”

Dominick grinned, goading me. “You’re going to take me to court?”

“I might.”

“It’s a semester—that’s it,” he reminded me even though Jenner had said the same thing just moments before. “You’ll survive.”

I didn’t want a shadow.

I didn’t want to have to explain myself to anyone, especially someone who was going to test my endurance and tolerance and require so much finessing.

I wanted to come in, do my job, and have the support of an efficient, well-oiled team.

If I had wanted to become a goddamn teacher, I would have joined Professor Ward’s faculty.

I took my time glancing into each of their eyes. “Are you looking for me to say yes?”

“How about some excitement instead?” Ford joked.

“You like to test me, don’t you?”

The youngest brother adjusted his tie, smiling. “We only pick the best, top students. Our program is extremely exclusive. Whoever gets to work with you, you’re going to be changing their life, so keep that in mind.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I pushed back in my seat, rocking the leather, but it did nothing to soothe me. “You can save your pep talk. This is going to be hell, and you all know that.” An idea came to me as I continued to rock in the seat, forcing it to bounce. “You’re going to make this better by adding another clerk to my team. That way, I can get some extra help with the intern.”

“That’s not part of the deal,” Dominick said.

“Neither is the intern.”

He exhaled loudly. “You’re f*****g relentless, you know that?”

Now, I could smile. “You’re going to love that about me when I’m in the courtroom, representing one of your clients, getting them exactly what I promised.” I stood from my seat and shook Jenner’s and Ford’s hands. When I reached Dominick, I continued, “I’ll see you tonight.” As I got to the doorway, I said over my shoulder, “And you’re picking up the whole f*****g tab.”

HANNAH

“H

annah, the time has finally come,” my uncle said as he sat across from me in the boardroom. “On behalf of your aunt and your cousins, I’d like to offer you an internship at our firm.”

This was a moment I’d thought about for as long as I could remember. Now that I was here, I hid my hands underneath the table, clenching them together, squeezing each finger, reminding myself that this was really happening.

That I wasn’t dreaming.

That every bit of my hard work and determination had finally paid off.

My uncle, looking at me so warmly, slid a folder in my direction, stopping once the manila was within my reach.

“In there, you’ll find a description of the program, your compensation, and our commitment to you as your employer.”

Every word my uncle spoke echoed in my head.

I made it.

Of course, Oaklyn would say I should have expected this. Maybe a part of me had, but that didn’t diminish the work it had taken me to get here or how I’d strived to overachieve to show my family how badly I wanted to be a part of their firm. Not just because it was theirs, but also because it was the best.

I released my fingers, lifting them onto the table, flattening my sweaty palms against the folder. “Thank you.” I glanced at each of their smiling faces. “I’m so honored to be here, you guys.”

My aunt beamed as she said, “Your uncle and I are so tickled that you’re here. We’ve watched you achieve everything you’ve set out to accomplish—first with your undergraduate degree and now with law school. You’ve had some notable scholarly achievements, young lady, and we’re so proud of you, Hannah.”

“It’s been impressive to watch,” my uncle added. “Even though you will always have a place at the family table, you’ve earned your place here as much as your fellow interns.”