Her Backup Boyfriend (Entangled Bliss) (Sorensen Family) (17 page)

Jessica’s smile turned speculative. “I’m not surprised. You deserve it. If I didn’t think so, I wouldn’t have been trying so hard to get you to jump ship for the past couple of years. It’s about time they appreciated what they had in you.”

“Thanks, Jessica. That really means a lot coming from you.”

“Let me know if you ever decide to change your mind. Come and be a David against those big Goliath clients of yours.”

Kate laughed again and rolled her eyes. “You’ll be the first to know if I ever do.”

…

Just after four o’clock, Ms. Herrera’s documents arrived. With her breath held, Kate hastily skimmed the pages.

Most of the documents weren’t terribly harmful to their case. Except for two recently dated affidavits, which stated, in short, that despite her client’s insistence there were no previous complaints similar in nature filed against Mark, two former employees would say otherwise.

Kate’s earlier unease began to grow to a near panic, and she reluctantly picked up the phone to call Nicole and Tim.

“We’ll object to their admission and any testimony Mark gives about it,” Nicole said dismissively half an hour later and dropped her copies on to the desk before glancing over for Tim’s reaction. “And the other women’s claims are barred by the statute of limitations, so they can’t be added as parties to the lawsuit.”

The crackle from the speaker, where Mark and the CFO of McKenna were conferenced in, drew their attention. Mark cleared his voice. “Look. I have nothing to hide. Those two women were some of the worst employees we’ve ever hired. They never could do their jobs right and if I so much as corrected them, they cried foul. I never laid a finger on them. They conspired to make those stories up to try and hurt me. This is nothing more than a witch hunt.”

“So these two women did file complaints against you?” Kate asked, unable to keep her frustration and anger from her voice. Tim, who had remained silent so far, looked at her sharply.

“Give us a minute, please.” Kate recognized the voice as Jonathon’s, the CFO of McKenna.

There was a long pause and then silence as the client muted the speaker to confer. Another minute passed and Mark came back on. “As best as I can recall, I think one of the women had been upset with a performance evaluation and felt she had earned a higher score. So she complained to Kathy about it. When nothing came of it, she claimed sexual harassment.”

“Okay. I think I understand,” Tim said in his usual firm voice. “Why don’t you see if you guys can find any more documents about this complaint and get those to us ASAP. Unless you guys feel differently, I’m confident in going forward as scheduled. The sooner this is done, the sooner we can make a motion for summary judgment and get it dismissed.”

Tim paused as the two men on the other line agreed. It was hard to miss the way Tim’s gaze had rested on Kate at that last part.
The sooner this is wrapped up, the better.
No more delays and last-minute surprise documents.

“Sounds good, Tim,” Mark said. “I’m really relieved to hear you’re going to be around tomorrow. Thanks for your insight, Nicole. Kate,” he finished a little more stiffly.

“I don’t think he’s telling us everything,” Kate said when the call was disconnected. “I have a bad feeling about proceeding with this when we don’t know what’s going to come out.”

“Just because they find a couple of bitter and disgruntled former employees doesn’t mean we throw in the towel,” Nicole said.

“I think this is more than that, and I don’t think Mark’s leveling with us here, and if he can’t level with us, then—”

“Nicole,” Tim finally said. “Can you give me a minute alone to talk with Kate, please?”

Nicole cut her gaze to Kate. “Sure, Tim. I’ll wait in my office.”

After Nicole closed the door behind her, Kate spoke. “Tim, I know Mark’s a friend and all, but I’m not so sure if—”

Tim raised his hand, stopping her. “Kate. I usually respect your professionalism. Your ability to see through the crap to the legal argument you usually hit so eloquently. But today, how you spoke to your client—our client—was disappointing. It was disrespectful.”

Kate felt like he’d slapped her. “Tim, for months I’ve asked Mark and his staff to provide me any information, any names or details of complaints they’d received over the years against Mark. I was told repeatedly I had everything. The fact that Mark isn’t really even surprised by these allegations and
now
remembers one of these other complaints tells me they haven’t been up front with me. How can I put on the best defense when they’re holding back?”

“Come on, Kate. You know most of the time our clients walk the line on what’s the truth, what to come forward with, hoping against hope that if they forget something, everyone else will, too. That’s why we don’t really prod their memory too carefully. From what I’ve seen of this case, Mark and the company haven’t done anything that can’t be salvaged. If you have your head on straight and can stay focused on what really matters, that is.”

She bristled at his tone. “I’m thinking quite clearly, Tim. I don’t think Mark is the best guy to be laying our bets on.”

“You say you’re focused on what really matters?” Tim tented his fingers in front of his mouth and paused, almost melodramatically. “How about this pro bono case you spent the afternoon at? The afternoon when you should have been prepping with Nicole on this deposition. Can you really tell me your priorities are where they should be, Kate? You know, once you’re a partner—if you’re made partner—you’re going to need to figure out where your time and resources are best spent for the good of the firm. And hours of lost billable time on a messy custody battle is not one of them.”

“I’ve always thought that this firm found that public service to the community was invaluable, too. Are you saying you don’t want me to help this woman anymore?” It took effort, but she managed to keep her voice even and respectful.

“I’m not telling you anything, Kate. Just be aware that everything you do—and don’t do—will be considered at the quarterly meeting. And the most important thing you can do is make sure you get this McKenna matter nailed. No mistakes. No loose ends.”

For a moment, Kate remembered the missing video and an alarming thought occurred to her. Had Tim known about it and intentionally hidden evidence? He wanted to win this case, whatever the cost. She considered broaching it but realized that would be stupid. Until she actually knew what was on that video—possibly nothing—then she couldn’t make such an accusation.

But the thought remained.

Tim came to his feet and moved toward the door. “Tomorrow you have an opportunity to turn this around.” He paused and turned around and met her gaze. “Show me that I wasn’t wrong to bet on you, Kate. To trust you’re capable of handling this job and the other responsibilities that would be yours if you should make partner.”

She swallowed and nodded. “Of course, Tim. You can count on me.”

Chapter Sixteen

Dominic was in the kitchen painting when he heard the front door shut late Monday night. A moment later he sensed Kate standing in the doorway, but she didn’t say anything, possibly taking in today’s progress. He was working on the last coat of the soft buttery-yellow paint she’d chosen, a choice that reflected the brightness and warmth of the room—and the client.

“How long you going to stand there checking out my ass?” he asked finally.

But instead of shooting him the usual quick comeback, she stayed quiet another minute. “Just appreciating everything you’ve done. It looks great.”

“Since your cabinets could come in soon, I thought it would be a good idea to get this finished before I started reworking the floors upstairs.” He turned to look at her, noticing the tension in her forehead and shoulders, the tightness around her lips. “Hey. Everything okay?”

“It’s gone better.” She paused, as if considering whether or not to confide in him.

He smiled at her. “I’ll sign a waiver of confidentiality if you like. But either way, you know you can tell me anything in confidence.”

He climbed down from the stool and grabbed them both a beer and brought her to the other room and sat her down on the couch. After some more coercing, she finally spilled, telling him her concerns over the case and the recent discovery of missing evidence and conference call with the client. Finally she mentioned the possibility that her boss might be hiding evidence on the case that would show the truth on a major issue of contention.

“And the thing is,” Kate said, “I get the feeling there’s even more I don’t know. And I don’t like it.”

Dominic didn’t have much patience for companies that thought they were above the law. There were a lot of things he wanted to say, but he exercised restraint instead. “If your clients aren’t going to be forthcoming with you, then they’re the ones sabotaging their case. Not you. You may lose this one, but I’m sure there will be others.”

“There may be others, but
this
is the one that will decide my promotion to partner now. Something I’ve been working for since day one at Strauss,” she added and raised her chin almost stubbornly.

“I’m sorry, Kate. For what it’s worth, I think your cautiousness is appropriate under the circumstances, and if they can’t appreciate your concerns, then they’re the ones making the mistake. But you also have to ask yourself what’s going to happen if you find out Tim is holding onto this evidence. Can you work at a place that would try and bury the truth?”

A more appropriate question might be…would she want to? A question he wasn’t sure he wanted the answer to.

She bristled and straightened. “You don’t seem to understand everything that’s at stake here, Dominic. I’ve been working years to be at the place I am now, poised for this partnership, and in another five years, I’ll be ready to step into a senior partner position and, if I’ve played my cards right, a position as a state or maybe even a federal judge. Everything I ever wanted.” She brought her hands to her temples and rubbed them. “You make it sound like the answer is so easy, but as I see it, the answer is to keep the status quo and reach my dream or lose everything.”

He paused, not wanting to push her away, but needing to give her another perspective. “Is there no other path for you? Is this judgeship the only thing that you want? I’ve let this go before, but what’s so wrong with having other goals? Like a job that makes you actually happy? That doesn’t demand all your time and attention but lets you enjoy other interests, too. Interests like, maybe…” He paused, realizing he was putting out more than a mere suggestion with his next comment. “A husband you can share your life with? Who’ll be at your side to hold your hand as you make your way through life? Experience it alongside you.”

Her shoulders sank. “You just don’t understand. You’ve never had people tell you to your face every day since you were a kid that you weren’t good enough. That you don’t matter. All I’ve wanted is to show them all that I do matter. That my opinions are worth something. That
I’m
worth something.”

“But you already are.” Unable to stop himself, he sank to his knees next to her, taking her hands in his. “You matter to me and all the people who really care for you. You’re so passionate and loyal to the people and causes you care about. You’re not only smart and funny but beautiful and witty. Who the hell cares what the Michaels and the Ms. Vaughns of this world think? You have a lot to offer this world and you should do it, but on your terms.”

She smiled wryly and met his gaze, steady. “It’s easy for you to give advice, but how about taking a little of what you’re dishing out? How long are you going to hide out at your family construction company? How long are you going to settle for getting by instead of taking the steps you need to be happy? To fulfill your dreams? That’s what I’m doing and I have been doing for the past ten years, maybe longer. I’m not going to settle for less.”

Her words hit him like a bat to the back of the head. He wasn’t hiding, was he? Then the last part of what she said sank in.

She wouldn’t settle for less.

Was family, a husband to support and love you, a different career path short of a judgeship…was that settling for less? It ripped at his heart to think she felt like that. He looked again into her eyes to see the truth, but she would no longer meet his gaze, instead staring at the wall behind him.

She pulled her hands from his. “I’m sorry, Dominic. I’m kind of tired tonight. If you don’t mind, I think I’m going to take a bath and get some sleep. I have a long day ahead of me.”

He stood, knowing when he was dismissed. “Sure, Kate. I understand. But I’m here if you ever need someone to talk to.”

Dominic returned to the kitchen to finish and clean up. He had tried to sound unaffected, upbeat, even. But what he felt was frustration and disappointment. That Kate couldn’t see what she had in front of her, all the opportunities. Opportunities that might also include…him.

But what could he offer her? In some ways, he and Kate were more alike than she realized. Neither of them had an illustrious name, hefty bank accounts and trust funds, or the social connections that Michael had or that Melinda had wanted. They both knew what it felt like to not be enough.

The difference between them, though, was he didn’t care about those things. But it was beginning to hit him that to Kate, it meant a lot.

And maybe that was the biggest truth of all. He could never be Michael. He couldn’t give her the things that Michael could. The things that she seemed to want.

…

Dominic got off the phone Wednesday evening, exhilaration puffing his chest. Hell, he should have created a webpage months ago. Having taken Benny’s—and Kate’s—words to heart, he’d stayed up Monday night and well into Tuesday morning working on his own webpage. It hadn’t been nearly as difficult as he’d imagined. And twenty hours after taking his webpage live, he’d just had his first inquiry from a potential client.

Normally he would have been at Kate’s right now, doing little odds and ends as they talked or worked in companionable silence together. But since the bathrooms were finished and the kitchen painted, there wasn’t anything more to do until the cabinets arrived.

And it wasn’t like she wanted to see him right now anyhow.

She’d make that clear when she texted him yesterday to say she was working late the next couple nights and if she didn’t see him before then, she’d see him on Thanksgiving.

Well, she could hide all she wanted, for now. But he’d see her tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, and he’d remind her how good they could be. How happy she was when she was with him. How happy he was with her.

But she’d been right. He had needed to take some of the advice he was giving out so freely and make some tough choices of his own. He’d planned on waiting until after Thanksgiving to break the news to his dad, but he’d only been putting off the inevitable discussion, and he wasn’t going to do that anymore. It was time to embrace life. Take those risks.

And he was going to start right now. He grabbed the keys to his truck, already lighter at the prospect of talking to his dad.

It was time.

It was a bit of a shock to see his dad sitting at the kitchen table with Cruz when he arrived at his parents’ house just after seven. He’d grown so used to seeing him lying in bed when Dominic’s mom wasn’t railing on him to join everyone for dinner that he’d forgotten how reassuring it could be to see him in good health. His bathrobe was hopefully permanently retired.

He looked up now and smiled when he saw his son. “Dominic. Nice to see you.”

Dominic shared an incredulous look with his brother, who gave a slight nod of assurance. “Dad. You look great.” And he did. The usual gray pallor that had shadowed his face these past few years was gone, as was the fear in his eyes when he looked at his family. Like he was going to lose them any moment. “How you feeling?”

Petter Sorensen nodded, his blue eyes free from fear now. “Like a new man. And happy to see both of my sons making unexpected visits.”

Dominic looked down at the papers in front of the men and the Cruz’s laptop open in front of their dad. “Yeah. What’s going on here?”

“Wanted to fill Dad in on the recent progress with the company. And show him some ideas I’ve been working on.”

Dominic nodded. Cruz had been tied up in as many knots as Dominic these past few months, anxious to talk to Dad about plans for the future. The difference being that Cruz’s plans included further involvement with the company and further growth—while Dominic’s were to hopefully make his escape. From the slight creases in Cruz’s eyes and slight turnup of the lips, things had gone well. He was almost smiling. “And what do you think?” he asked, taking a seat at the table.

“I think Cruz has his work cut out for him. And he’s ready to take the lead. Which, surprisingly, is something of a relief. You boys have done a great job of holding things down these past three years. It’s really set my mind at ease.”

His dad looked so happy. Proud. And Dominic’s stomach tightened at the thought of disappointing him. “It was the least we could do for you, Dad. Which is kind of something I wanted to talk to you about today.”

Cruz sat back, clearly knowing what was coming as he gave his brother another reassuring nod. His dad just waited, mildly curious.

“You know how much I love working with you and the company,” Dominic started. “Stepping back in a few years ago was something I was more than happy to do. You needed me. And don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved my time there, working with Cruz and all the men I’ve known practically my entire life, but…well. I just think it might be a good time for me to get back to what I was doing before. Renovating houses, designing things. Maybe start my own business. And as you can see, Cruz has things well in hand.”

His father had crossed his arms during this litany and now studied him quietly. The clock above the stove ticked loudly in the quiet of the room. Then his face broke out in a grin, and his blue eyes twinkled. “What took you so long?”

Dominic blinked a few times. Wait. His dad not only didn’t sound surprised, but he sounded like he’d just been waiting for Dominic to make the announcement. “You’re okay with it then? You’re not upset?”

His dad actually chuckled. “Hardly. I can’t tell you how much it meant to me when you dropped everything and jumped in when you did. All of you. I count my blessings each day. And I can’t wait to see what you can do now that you’re ready to get out on your own. Maybe with a certain someone next to you for support?”

Kate. Right. His pretend girlfriend whom he no longer wanted to pretend with. Having her at this side, supporting him through this new endeavor, would make him feel invincible. But that possibility was looking more and more bleak of late.

“Maybe” was all he said, though. Not yet ready to confess the whole thing was a farce.

He still had hope.

…

Kate looked at her watch as she reached the front steps of Dominic’s parents’ house and breathed a sigh of relief. Ten minutes to spare.

She had seriously underestimated the time it would take to visit her grams, dig out the old recipe for the sweet potato casserole, and put it together. Not helped by the last-minute return trip to the grocery store when she’d realized she should have drained the can of yams
before
she mixed everything up. Her dish now actually looked and smelled pretty good, kind of surprising even her. She just hoped it
tasted
as good as it smelled.

Kate reached the front door and took some deep, even breaths to calm her nerves. Not just at seeing Dominic’s family, but at seeing him. She’d been avoiding him for the past few days, and they both knew it. But she told herself it was easier this way—as they drew nearer to reaching the end of their plan, she’d have to get used to being on her own again. Save for her work.

The past couple days at the office had been tough, though, and it was only by going on autopilot that she’d reached the end. Mark’s deposition had gone brilliantly, fortunately, with her cutting off the opposing counsel’s questions and objections when necessary.

Even if it left her with a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.

Why did Ms. Herrera’s attorney have to be so freaking incompetent? He hadn’t even put up much of a fight. If it had been Jessica who sat across from her at that table, Kate might have felt a little better knowing Ava Herrera was getting the best representation she was entitled to.

Kate managed to pin a smile to her face when the front door swept open and three eager faces cried out her name and pushed her inside. She managed to hold onto the dish as they bounced around her, and she couldn’t help but laugh at their exuberance. She was met with an interesting array of aromas, including roasted turkey, buttery rolls, and also something…spicy.