I had been the quintessential book worm, not interested in dating and not many interested in dating me, either. I turned on the hair dryer and ran the brush angrily though my wet tangled hair. Regardless of everything falling into shambles there wasn’t denying that I had to be in court soon. I needed to clear my mind for now and focus on getting ready.

Chapter Six

The atmosphere at the courthouse contained a strange electric energy. Aiden had already arrived, and we waited with the senior partners in the small room for the bailiff to come and fetch us. A whole new jury pool had been summoned and we had to wait while they all went through intake in the main hall.

Our team included myself, Aiden, Mr. Mahoney and Ms. Klein and we sat in the small chamber off of the courtroom. We had gathered in the lobby, and I had hoped desperately that the hangover I felt didn’t appear so readily on my face as I felt that it did.

I didn’t speak to Aiden except the usual pleasantries so as to not arouse suspicion from the partners of unprofessional behavior. We waited without much discussion. I pulled out some papers from my case and reviewed them while we waited, more for the sake of having something to do, rather than needing the actual review. I also knew that once we went to the courtroom for jury selection, Mr. Shaw would join us and the trial would start later that day depending on time. For now we just had to wait.

"Are you both feeling good about the opening statements?" Ms. Klein asked after a moment probably speaking to fill the silence.

"I do,” Aiden replied. "I’m definitely ready to get started. What do you think, Blair?"

I had largely ignored the discussion trying not to have to talk to him unless necessary. I glared at him before I placed a pleasant smile on my face turning towards Ms. Klein.

"Um, yes. Fine," I said, glancing up from my document. I realized I may have seemed stand offish, so I raised my eyes more fully. "I feel quite confident in our case. I too am anxious to get underway."

I returned to my review, forcing myself to focus on the words in front of me, refreshing myself on what I had prepared. In my periphery I could sense Aiden's eyes on me. I tried to ignore him, but I couldn’t help but think about the competition between us.

In our efforts to outdo each other we had somehow managed to play off of each other’s strengths, each of us trying to outdo the other. We had built a very strong case in the end. I tried not to let my mind wander to the events of last night, but being in such close proximity with Aiden, seeing his hands and his eyes, the scent of his beachy cologne didn’t help matters.

I felt my face grow flush even as an errant thought of the feel of his mouth against my skin drifted across my thoughts.

Shit.

I had to get him out of my head.

On reflex I glanced over at him, and found him sitting in a relaxed pose one arm resting across the back of the empty chair next to him. He cut his eyes over to me and grinned when I lifted my head, prompting me to immediately look back down.

We looked up when the bailiff came to the door. We all expected him to summon us, but he had a different message for us this time.

"We have time for a bit of a break. The jury pool is about ready. Once the pool is assigned they get a small break. If you guys take half an hour now you should all arrive back at the same time."

"That's one thing you two will have to get used to,” Mr. Mahoney said as he stood. "The ongoing grind of due process. There's very little excitement to any of it. Most of it involves hurry up and wait."

He smiled a bit at his own amusement, and if I hadn’t thought myself mistaken I could have sworn that Ms. Klein nearly rolled her eyes as they walked out the door together.

I decided just to head down to the break room in the basement and grab a sandwich from the machine. I wasn’t in the mood to go anywhere, but I hadn’t eaten yet either.

I headed to the elevator. Just before the doors closed Ms. Klein stepped in beside me.

"Hi," she said with a small smile. "Heading to the break room?"

"Yes," I said.

We had only ever spoken on a professional level so far. I fiddled with the zipper on my bag, nervous to try and think of some way to endear myself to her.

"How are you holding up?" she asked.

 "Holding up?" I asked.

"The first big case can be hard on a new lawyer,” she said, giving me a kind look. "I remember how it was. You must be under immense pressure."

I had a hard time imagining her ever feeling anything but the cool confidence that she exuded at all times.

"Yes, it is a lot to take in," I said. "But I feel pretty confident."

"As well you should. The two of you have done an amazing job."

The elevator door opened and we stepped into the basement following the Formica floor to the small break room. I pulled out my money, slid it into the slot and punched in the number which produced the chicken salad on white bread that would become my lunch.

I didn’t want anything too heavy considering how I felt.

She opened her lunch bag and sat down at one of the tables. I picked up my sandwich and walked over to her, feeling quite like the girl in high school approaching the popular table.

"Mind if I join you?" I asked.

"Please,” she said.

I pulled up a chair and began to unwrap the white paper around my sandwich. She carefully set out her meal, a small plastic bowl of udon noodles and a small bag of crisp greens. With precision she broke the lettuce leaves over the noodles and produced a pair of plain bamboo chopsticks. I watched with fascination, while trying not to be too obvious, as she set out the elements of her meal.

When she had finished, the place before her had the appearance comparable to any restaurant setting. I tried to think of some way to break the ice.

"So," I began. "Do you have any advice on the business, from a woman's perspective? I've been curious to pick your brain."

"Hmm,” she said thoughtfully placing her chopsticks over the bowl. "That is a good question. I would venture to say that you have figured part of it out already."

"I'm sorry?" I asked, nibbling at the edge of my sandwich.

My mind raced at the idea that she might be insinuating what I thought she was. I looked at her with a quizzical expression trying to pretend that I didn’t understand.

She laughed in a lighthearted way.

"Please don't take what I say the wrong way," she said. "But I have been in this business a long time, my dear. This is a high pressure job. There is no doubt about that. The key is to find the balance. We have noticed that you have an undeniable sense of drive."

"Thank you, Ms. Klein,” I said sincerely. "It means a lot that you have noticed. I have put everything I have into my career."

"I’m sure that you have,” she continued. "But you must be careful. The key is to find that balance."

"What do you mean?"

"You mustn’t forget who you’re,” she said. "And why you got into the business in the first place. It is important not to forget that."

"I see."

I turned my gaze down to my untouched food, knowing I needed to eat but having no appetite whatsoever. My head still hurt a little from this morning's hang over. The bite I forced myself to take barely had any flavor, like sawdust in my mouth.

"Come on then." Ms. Klein reached out and touched my arm. "Don't take it the wrong way. You’re doing a wonderful job. Plus you’re being very professional about your extracurricular activities."