Mr. Mahoney continued, "First we would like to tell you how difficult the decision has been. Both you and Mr. Player have done an exceptional job."

"There was some discussion," Ms. Klein interjected. “Of finding a way to retain both of you since you both worked so well together. Up until the final decision we remained torn. Truly."

"In the end we decided that the original agreement would work best after all,” Mr. Mahoney continued. “It is unfortunate, but we only have so many resources. Please believe that we deliberated long and hard over the decision, but we wanted to let you know that we have decided to ask Aiden Player to assume the full time position."

I felt certain that I was going to be sick.

And I didn’t give a fuck if they had to see it.

"We also want to tell you that you will receive the highest of reference from each of us upon your next job application, and if there is anything that any of us can do to assist you, please do not hesitate to ask. We all have confidence that you won’t have difficulty finding work."

I took a moment before speaking. I could hear Mahoney's speaking, but the words had begun to swirl together.

Finally I found my voice. "I understand," I said speaking in a calm and confident tone, unlike my inner emotions. "Thank you for everything. This has been an amazing experience, and I have learned more than I could have imagined. Thank you all for the opportunity, and it was more than an honor to meet you all. I can assure you that Aiden will make a wonderful lawyer. I think you have made the right choice.”

I managed to get through it sounding sincere, though I wasn’t certain that I meant the statement about Aiden in the same way in which they heard it.

"Thank you, as well,” Ms. Klein said in response. "Please stop and see Willa on your way out to pick up a company card for references."

"Of course," I said.

They all stood which I took as an indication that our part of the conversation to be over. I shook each of their hands, trying not to rush. All I wanted to do at that point is to get out of the room before I embarrassed myself entirely.

I made it out of the office and into the hallway, pulling the door closed behind me. As soon as I was out of sight from the partners I let the smile slip from my face. I felt the anger and shame rush the blood into my cheeks. My hands shook as I reached for my car keys.

I needed to get out of there as soon as possible, and it occurred to me that I would have to walk past Aiden to do so.

I steeled myself, firming my jaw and steadying my gaze as I headed down the hallway.

He had remained seated in the waiting room, and sat with his ankle crossed over his knee. He glanced up as I waltzed into the room without pause. Before I slipped my sunglasses I glared at him with all the fury that I could find letting it spill out of my eyes without restraint.

"Congratulations," I said, spitting the word like a curse, heading straight for the staircase so as to avoid having to wait for the elevator.

I didn’t see his face as I left, nor did I want to.

He had been a dick to me.

Now he’s getting the job.

Fuck me.

I made it to my car, but I had to wait about fifteen minutes before I had pulled myself together enough to drive safely.

I got home and instantly threw off my clothes, letting them land in the corner of my room. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to go ahead and put on my pajamas and crawl into bed, even though it was only six in the afternoon, or close to it, or if I wanted to eat the entire contents of the refrigerator.

I thought about calling my mother, but I wanted to revile in my misery for a little while longer. I did find myself relieved when I arrived and Kelsey wasn’t home.

One thing was certain.

I didn’t want company.

Not yet.

What I settled on was to change into a tee shirt and jeans, pour myself a drink, and curl up on the couch. I turned on the television and binged watched some cooking show in which contestants had to win against each other. The judges could randomly change any ingredient during the process of the preparation. Sounds fair, I thought as one chef's chicken Marsala had to incorporate canned peas.

I found it quite cathartic when any of the contestants were kicked off for various reasons. I simply imagined Aiden's face in place of the chef who had lost.

By the time Kelsey arrived home, I had had about three drinks. I must have had tear marks down my face as well as I slouched upon the couch turning my eyes towards her as she entered.

"How did it go?" she asked as she set down her bags.

"How do you think?" I said, raising a glass.

"Hm..." she speculated for a moment, tapping her fingers against her chin. "Well normally the early imbibing of beverages indicates a celebration."

I rolled my eyes and glared vicariously at her.

"On the other hand," she continued. "It could also mean that you’re drowning your sorrows."

"Bingo," I murmured.

She paused and looked me over perusing the situation.

"Okay," she said cheerily. "Here's what we are going to do. First, let's get some food into your body, and then some coffee, and then I want you to tell me all about it. Sound like a plan?" This last bit wasn’t a question.

I followed her with my eyes as she called the delivery place for a couple of large meatball subs and a bag of bread sticks. It sounded good despite myself. While she did that I tucked my feet underneath my legs and pulled the throw blanket over my shoulders.

Absently I picked up my phone, just to glance through it as she disappeared into the kitchen. It was then that I noticed I had three missed calls, all starting about half an hour after I had left the firm, and all from Aiden.

He hadn’t left any message.

If he wanted to talk to me he would have to try harder than that.

I had nothing to say to him, and I didn’t want to hear anything that he had to say. I punched my phone closed and curled back up on the couch to wait for the food.

An hour and a half later I felt considerably better, having eaten. I still felt hollow and defeated, but at least my head had cleared somewhat. I cupped my hands around the warm late day coffee cup that Kelsey had pressed onto me, letting the contents further calm my nerves.

"You’re going to be fine!" Kelsey insisted. "What you should do, is go into Entertainment Law. There's a huge market for it. You already live in the right area."

"Maybe," I said as I dipped a bread stick into the small cup of marinara. "But my expertise is in criminal law."

"Tell you what," she said. "Don't even worry about it tonight. I think we should do something that neither of us have done in a long time."

"What's that?" I asked.

"Let's get our cutest outfits on and let's go clubbing!"

"Are you even serious right now?" I said rolling my eyes. "Besides, you went clubbing just last week."

"When was the last time you've been?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

"That is entirely beside the point,” I declared. "It does not sound fun at all. Getting groped by a hundred drunken people while overly loud bass lines bring our hearing ability down a few notches? No thanks."

"Geez, Grandma,” she said rolling her eyes.

"Besides," I insisted. "I think it's supposed to rain tonight. I picked up my phone to glance at the weather app, only to find another missed call from Aiden from about ten minutes ago. "Wow, someone can't take a hint,” I mumbled.