Chapter 1
Sheesh. It was hot as Hades in here.
Despite the brisk early October chill and the fresh white snow that powdered the ridge of the Wasatch Mountains that she could see from the window, Alice Jamses could feel beads of moisture forming on her upper lip. She tugged at the cuff of her wool blazer and tried not to squirm while her boss finished his phone call. Her curiosity at the reason for this impromptu meeting had become overshadowed in the last couple of minutes by her longing to throw off the stupid jacket.
But unless it burst into flames, that wasn’t an option.
She cursed her haste in running out the door this morning without taking her usual perusal in front of the full-length mirror. If she had, she would have noticed the white tag billowing like a flag at her waist and realized her new silk blouse was on inside out. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until she’d arrived and was sprinting toward Finn’s office that she’d noticed the slight wardrobe malfunction.
At the Finne, the best solution had been to take the ten seconds to slide on the spare jacket she kept behind her office door.
She hadn’t expected it to be, like, a hundred and ten in here.
Alice took a quick peek from the corner of her eyes at the other participant in today’s last- minute conference. Ava, the latest addition to Oliver and Andrew’s litigation division, didn’t seem to be having any problems with the temperature of the room if the smooth, shine-free polish of her clear, porcelain skin was any indication. Her shiny raven-black hair was secured in an elegant chignon Alice couldn’t help but envy. She resisted the impulse to pat her own bristly red hair already escaping from the confines of her hair clip.
No wonder Ethan was In love with this paragon of perfection.
At least, according to the rumors that linked the pretty new associate with the firm’s most eligible bachelor—and Alice’s ex-boyfriend. Alice had been trying to convince herself that the rumors didn’t bother her. Sure, they had dated for three years, and she might have been expecting a proposal—not a plea for space—when he’d broken up with her. But that had been fourteen months ago. Give or take eight days. All the same, it still stung to be sitting next to such flawlessness.
Why were they both here, anyhow?
As soon as he hung up the phone, Alice apologised and said, "Sorry to keep you waiting, Finn." "This morning I had a meeting," you might say. She made the decision not to reveal the encounter was a private one. She had her doubts that Finn would care that she had waited over an hour for a contractor to give her a bid for her house renovation or that he had failed to show up. She also had her doubts that he would care that the contractor had not shown up. Always putting the company's business first.
Finn gave a curt nod in response. "I'm sure you're both curious about the reason I asked you to meet here today. This morning, the Chief Financial Officer of Owen and Associates gave me a call. Our client is excited to put out a vigorous defence during the upcoming depositions.
Alice was on the verge of sighing aloud. Her swift ascent to the position of partner at Oliver, one of Salt Lake City's most prestigious legal firms, was facilitated by her success in the Owen case. despite the fact that the client had more stringent requirements than all of her other clients put together. And a jerk to boot. But this jerk was connected to several of the senior partners in the business.
"Even though they believe you've done a great job of things up to this point, Alice," Finn said, his blue eyes cold and discerning, "they want to make sure we hit the other side hard and have asked for more manpower." I came to the conclusion that Nicole would make a wonderful second chair."
Alice felt a tightening in her tummy. Without a doubt, she got it. She was able to collaborate with other solicitors and was a good team player.
However, did it absolutely have to be her?
Alice cast a sideways glance in Nicole's direction and met her eyes. After a brief moment of smiling, Alice observed the woman's teeth and remarked how clean and straight the line of her teeth was. She had a natural reluctance to grin because she was self-conscious about her two front teeth, both of which were slightly misaligned and which she had a lifelong desire to get repaired.
"I am aware that you have devoted a lot of your time to preparation for the upcoming depositions; nonetheless, I would appreciate it if you could allow Nicole the opportunity to read over your notes. It's possible that she'll provide you a fresh viewpoint on topics you haven't experienced before. After taking a quick look at his Rolex, Finn stood up. "I have no choice except to run. I have no doubt that the two of you will be able to manage whatever that comes your way."
Alice assuaged his concerns by assuring him, "Absolutely," a remark that Nicole echoed and which he acknowledged by waving his hand.
After then, there was no one else in the room, and the temperature continued to rise with each passing minute.
Nicole was the first to speak, and her tone was quick and professional. It would be helpful if you could have your assistant deliver the file to me this afternoon so that I could obtain a general sense of the problems. We can get together the next day to talk about our strategy."
"You are correct. I'm looking forward to getting your feedback on this.
Whereas there. They came across as acquaintances at best. Just about.
To this time, Nicole had not moved her hands from their position of being clenched together on her lap. Now that she was up, she spread her fingers out in front of her as she looked about. It appeared as though her left palm was emitting a brilliant flash of light. Alice's carefully maintained serenity dissolved into astonishment as she realised what had happened.
Oh, dear God, in the name of all that is just and pure, please tell me that what I'm imagining isn't the case.
Nicole appeared to be conscious of Alice's stare as she extended her hand in an attempt to catch the light.
Alice felt compelled to make a statement. Anything at all.
"Wow. Is that a ring for a future marriage?"
First version.
As Nicole raised her hand higher, the light reflected off of the large ice chip that she was holding. "Isn't it amazing how gorgeous it is? I've only just begun to get used to it."
Alice's neck appeared to be constricted by a boa constrictor, and the pressure was intense as she struggled to get out the words "Congratulations." She made an undercover effort to remove the moisture from her upper lip by swiping it with the back of her palm.
Alice was staring back at Nicole with icy green eyes as she glared at that inconvenient Finne, and Nicole's upper lip curled in a vaguely disgusted expression. As she said, "Thank you," however, her tone remained courteous, if not a little frigid. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
As a stabbing agony shot through Alice's chest as she struggled to draw in air, Alice hardly noticed Nicole's footfall as they left the office.
Ethan was preparing for his wedding.
Nevertheless, not to her.
Why hasn't this dummy left the building already? It's been five seconds since the light switched.
Alice clenched her teeth in determination. The driver had his left arm propped up on the open windowsill of the vehicle, and his hands were tapping out an unidentifiable rhythm. Alice continued to count for another five seconds before removing her foot from the brake pedal. Her vehicle continued to drift forward until it was only a few centimetres away from the offending fender. She applied the brakes quickly.
After acknowledging that he had gotten the message, the person puttered through the junction with his hand raised in a quick hello. However, there was no discernible increase in the man's speed. The truck moved quite slowly down the road.
Alice bit back an expletive of exasperation and, for the sixth time since she had left her office, clicked the redial button on the Bluetooth headset she was wearing. Don't bother going to your voicemail. She prayed that the call wouldn't be sent to voicemail.?
Elizabeth said, "Hi, Alice," when she was out of breath. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to answer your calls. The previous hour was spent in a meeting with a wedding videographer, during which time I turned off my phone.
