Lawfully Yours by Stacy Hoff Read Free Book Online

supposed to say this? Involved in my anxiety, I hadn’t really been listening to what anyone else did. Oh, sweet God above, have I just blown protocol? I feel my cheeks immediately flush. Sweat breaks out on my brow. I open my mouth, about to say we will not be waiving any formalities, when Jordan walks in.
    He’s looking at me, obviously trying to surmise what’s happening. Surreptitiously I give him a nod to let him know he’s on. Immediately he composes himself.
    Seconds later, I notice the two people he’s with. One is a tall, thin, well dressed, and very attractive blonde woman. The other’s a short, squat, middle-aged man with a protruding gut and receding hairline. I gather these are the clients.
    Jordan starts his presentation, and it’s wonderful. Even though he’s representing a private developer the community wants to lynch, somehow he’s able to persuade this angry mob to settle down and listen. They watch the video I made showing the lack of traffic congestion. He explains the map markings I made, showing how many homes could be developed on the parcel, and then explaining how many homes the developer will voluntarily forgo to make the community less crowded. He shows my setback lines and speaks about extending them so the community will be obscured from the road. He talks about site work and the mature trees that will be planted around the development for privacy and aesthetics. While the community isn’t ready to throw him roses, they’re no longer ready to throw him out of the room.
    By the time our presentation’s done, it’s 11:00 p.m. The P & Z Board goes on to item nine, and we put on our coats and gather up our things to go. I walk out with Jordan and the clients. Leaving them, I walk to my car, ready to head home when their conversation stops me.
    “We’re going out to celebrate the world’s greatest law firm,” the male client says.
    “Gerard,” the blonde answers, “I’m going home. It’s 11:00 p.m.” She leans over to Jordan and gives him a kiss on the cheek. Was she just being friendly? Or very friendly? I can’t tell. I walk toward my car again, plunging my hand into the depths of my purse to find my keys. The client, Gerard, spots my move.
    “Oh no you don’t, you’re coming too!”
    I start to protest, but Jordan steps in.
    “She’d be delighted. Gerard, I’d like you to meet my newest hire, Susan Linkovitch.”
    I catch on quick. This is a direct order, albeit one at 11:00 p.m.
    “I’d be delighted to join you gentlemen,” I say, putting on what I hope is a fetching smile. Gerard moves to walk in between us. He puts his arm in mine, as well as Jordan’s, and marches us to our cars.
    Due to the late hour and a lack of real civilization in Canton, we wind up at a Denny’s. Not as highbrow as our multimillion-dollar development deal, but I don’t mind the plain atmosphere. It gives the night a gritty feel that lets me know the good time I’m having is real. We finish off our coffees and Denny Burger Combos while Gerard happily recaps all the details of the P & Z meeting. Jordan’s reaction is smiling, but predominately silent. After glowing comments and hearty good-byes, Gerard gets up to leave. Jordan gets up, shakes Gerard’s hand, and then confuses me by sitting back down. I’m already standing up to leave. Upon seeing Jordan sit, I don’t know what to do. I sit back down, too. The waitress who was on her way over to clear our table pauses, and then turns around to walk back into the kitchen.
    “Not leaving?” Gerard asks Jordan.
    “I want to brief Sue on tomorrow’s assignments.” He waves over another waitress. “More coffee over here, please.”
    Gerard looks at me with pity. “Well, sorry for that Sue, since it’s 12:30 a.m. I hope a good portion of what I pay Jordan goes to you, considering your hours,” Gerard says before he leaves.
    I turn to Jordan, incredulous. He’s going to give me more assignments now?
    “Sue, I wanted a minute alone