Page 64 of Filthy Lawyer

I approached them with a smile.

“Hey there, Elizabeth!” Rita said. “Are you finally out of the tombs?”

“Yeah. I got out a while ago.”

“Good to hear.” She peered at my folder. “They’re letting you handle clients?”

I nodded.

“Lucky you.” She scoffed. “I’m a glorified client soother and courtroom watcher.”

“Mr. Carter lets you help with cases, Elizabeth?” Amanda asked.

“It’s probably only the simple ones,” Rita said. “Right?”

No, all of them.“Yes.”

“I knew it,” she said. “I guess we all have to pay our dues until—”

“They trust us,” they say in unison, sharing a line Damien has never once uttered to me.

“On the plus side, the theater room here has allowed me to catch up on all my favorite shows during my breaks.”

“Tell me about it,” another girl said. “Ilovethis office. I never want to leave this building.”

They chatted about everything they loved about this place, and I thought about how I suddenly felt confined and wanted to deal with something outside these walls.

WILLFULLY (ADV.)

REFERRING TO DOING SOMETHING INTENTIONALLY, PURPOSEFULLY AND STUBBORNLY

ELIZABETH

Damien

You looked sexy as hell in that lavender dress today.

I’m wearing jeans now because you tore off the zipper…

Damien

I’m not sorry. :)

Can you do me a favor?

Yes.

Damien

I need you to host the research team for the strategy meeting at your place today.

Something came up, and I can’t.

Something like the fact that you hate interns?

Damien

That, too, but also something serious.