The Boss of Her

by Julie Cannon

  “That would be great…” Parker trailed off, realizing she hadn’t gotten the woman’s name.

  “I’m Bernice, but everyone calls me Niecy.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Niecy. Thank you for the warm welcome.”

  Niecy opened a door that already had Parker’s name on it. The room was huge, with towering bookcases and wide windows. The large desk had a matching credenza behind it and a pair of matching chairs in front. Parker smiled. Although she had Manhattan experience, she’d never been on the side of big money. This office was officially the nicest one she’d ever had.

  “Will it do, Ms. Jones?” Niecy sounded nervous.

  “Parker.” The correction came before she could stop herself. She made a point of smiling. “And it’s perfect. Thank you.”

  Parker walked into her office. She set down her bag and eyed the computer sitting on the desk. It would certainly do.

  “Parker. So glad you made it in. Flight uneventful, I hope?”

  Parker turned. Niecy was gone, and in her place stood Don Peterson. Although they hadn’t met, she recognized him from his online bio, as well as some of the additional research she’d done on him. “It was. Thank you.”

  “Your team is on standby whenever you want them, but feel free to take some time to settle in. You’ve got all the standard-issue equipment here, but we’re happy to get you whatever else you need.”

  “This looks fine.” And as much as she might like to get a feel for things, she hated to keep people waiting. “I’d love to meet the team.”

  “There’s a conference room across the hall. I’ll have everyone there for you in fifteen minutes.”

  “Great. Thank you.”

  Parker used the few minutes to text her mother and to review the bios of the team she’d selected from the firm’s staff. She’d made her career on details, and that extended far beyond the case at hand. She spent a minute longer than she needed studying Elisa’s bio.

  They’d not been especially close in law school, but Parker had liked her enough. Elisa had been a serious student, but not uptight. She’d started at Tulane because she’d followed a woman, someone in Parker’s class, to New Orleans. But from what she’d gathered, the relationship didn’t last past her first year. She’d seen Elisa around, they’d been on law review together, but not worked on any of the same articles.

  And then one night, spring of her third year, they’d been at the same party. She’d had probably one too many vodka sodas, thinking it might be the last time she’d have fun before buckling down to study for the bar. They’d chatted, then gone outside to get away from the noise and the press of people. They ended up on a wide lounge chair near the pool, alone. Parker hadn’t planned on kissing her, but once she started, she didn’t want to stop.

  But then one of Parker’s friends came out and called her name. Elisa waved her off, acting like it was no big deal. By the next morning, Parker’s mind was back on school and she’d not given it a second thought. No, that wasn’t fair. She’d given Elisa—the smell of her hair and the taste of her mouth and the gorgeous curves of her body—plenty of thought. But she had her priorities, and taking her eye off the prize hadn’t been one of them. And since Elisa had played it cool the next time she saw her, Parker figured the feeling was mutual.

  So why was she angling to cross paths with her now? Parker hadn’t thought that part of it through. Not that she needed to. The case would keep them plenty busy. And Elisa was a perk of this job, not the reason for it. If something else came of it, well, she’d see how it played out.

  In the conference room, half a dozen people sat around the big table. Elisa had taken the seat closest to the head and didn’t waste a second making eye contact. Parker liked that about her—direct, confident, and by extension, sexy as hell.

  The other four members of her team looked equally attentive, if not as appealing. Don Peterson was there, too. He wouldn’t be working the case, but she imagined he wanted to see her in action. Make sure he was getting his money’s worth.

  Parker opened the meeting with introductions. She wanted to set a friendly tone, but efficient. She outlined the case and the timeline she wanted to keep for filing motions and briefs. “If all goes well, we’ll be able to reach a settlement before the trial actually begins.”

  Drake Shelby raised a hand. “Is that what happened when you did this in New York?”

  “It is.” At the time, she’d wanted to go to court. Her idealism wanted to make a spectacle of financial managers who slid exorbitant fees into their fine print. But at the end of the day, settling meant more money back into the pension system and less on legal fees. “The goal is recouping money for our clients and creating a disincentive for having it happen again. If we do our jobs well, that shouldn’t be a problem.”

  Don stood. “This is a new kind of case for our firm. We’re partnering with Kenner now, but if we can be successful, while keeping the time and expenses down, it will generate a whole new specialization area for us.”

  Parker nodded. “Which is why I’m here. My goal is to create the in-house expertise moving forward. I’m here to lead and to coach, not to have you running around like a bunch of 2L interns.”

  The comment earned her a chuckle. She gave out initial assignments and made a point of making eye contact with each person. Other than one guy—Kyle Babin—she got the sense that everyone respected her role and was eager to get to work. Kyle seemed more resentful than anything else. She’d have to sort out whether it was his personality or had something specific to do with her. When the meeting ended, Parker turned to Elisa. “Ms. Gonzalez, do you mind coming back to my office for a moment?”

  Elisa stood. She’d been wondering if Parker would single her out. She couldn’t decide if she was annoyed or relieved to get it over with. “Of course.”

  Elisa followed Parker to her office, but at the door, Parked turned and gestured for her to go first. It was the kind of butch chivalry she’d usually find charming. Usually. “After you.”

  Elisa entered. It was bigger than hers, and had a better view. Not that she cared. “You don’t need to call me Ms. Gonzalez.”

  Parker flashed a smile that gave Elisa a flutter in spite of herself. “Elisa, it’s good to see you.”

  Elisa folded her arms, not ready to trade niceties. Even if Parker was better looking than she remembered and Elisa couldn’t seem to stop herself from being attracted to her. “Why are you here?”

  Parker’s posture was relaxed. “I thought we’d just gone over that in the conference room.”

  “I understand the case. What I don’t understand is why you’re here, in New Orleans, in my law firm?” Despite what she’d said to Laura, she needed to make sure it had nothing to do with her.

  “My father passed away last year and I’ve been angling to come back to be closer to my mom.”

  Much of Elisa’s annoyance dissolved. She’d been so focused on her own reaction to Parker’s return, she’d not given any thought to what might have motivated it. She also realized just how little she knew about Parker’s life, before or now. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  A muscle in Parker’s jaw twitched. “Don’t be. He was an asshole, and the world—my mother included—is better off without him.”

  She studied Parker’s face, trying to discern whether grief undercut the ready dismissal. Either Parker was an excellent liar or she really didn’t mourn his death. If anything, it seemed like Parker was, if not glad, relieved. “Oh.”

  Parker blinked a few times and focused her gaze on Elisa. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be so terse about it.”

  Elisa lifted both hands. “No apologies necessary. If you’re glad, and happy to be back, then I’m glad it’s worked out for you.”

  “I get the distinct impression you aren’t glad.” Parker folded her arms and leaned back against the credenza.

  “About your father? I wouldn’t assume to feel one way or the other.”

  “No.” Parker looked at her in
a way that made her feel exposed. “Glad that I’m back. Here. Working with you.”

  Shit. Elisa did not have words to describe the extent to which she didn’t want to go there. She took a deep breath. Tread lightly. “Technically, I believe I work for you. Which is fine. I have no desire to be lead counsel.”

  Parker continued to study her. Her ability to be still made Elisa nervous, which, in turn, irritated her. “Why not? I’m only a year older than you and I made partner three years ago. You were just as smart as me.”

  Elisa took a deep breath and willed herself to remain calm. “It’s not about being smart.”

  Parker moved her hands to her hips. And, God, what glorious hips they were. Of course, her pants probably cost six hundred dollars. That didn’t help matters. “Please don’t tell me this firm is riddled with misogynist bullshit. I’m so beyond dealing with that.”

  “No.” Elisa found herself feeling oddly protective of her firm, and her role in it. “I opted not to pursue the partner route. I like my work, but I like my life, too. I chose balance over ambition.”

  Parker nodded slowly. She couldn’t tell if Parker agreed with her or was merely filing that fact away. “I guess I never thought of it as an either/or thing. Work hard, play hard. You know?”

  Elisa shook her head. “To me, that sounds exhausting.”

  “Oh, I sleep pretty hard, too. Especially after playing. It all works out.”

  And there it was. That cocky demeanor that had, after a few beers, seemed so fucking sexy. The underlying arrogance that felt so crushing the next day. Good thing she’d grown up since then. She no longer found it desirable or devastating. Even if she had to remind herself she was immune. Elisa smiled, refusing to give anything away. “I’m sure it does.”

  Parker looked at her in a way she couldn’t quite decipher. “I hope you aren’t sincerely upset that I’m here. I would have reconsidered the offer had I believed that to be true.”

  Elisa didn’t know whether to believe her, but she supposed the statement itself counted for something. “I’m not upset.”

  “Good. Because I’m very much looking forward to it.”

  “Is there anything else?”

  “Actually, I was hoping for a rundown of the rest of the team. I got a sense of subject matter expertise from their bios, but I’d like to get a feel for personalities—who has what strengths, who works well together. I thought you’d be the best person for that.”

  “Oh.” Why did the request surprise her?

  “It doesn’t have to be today. I know not everyone is on your team usually.”

  “No, no. We’re a small enough firm that we know each other pretty well.”

  “Perfect.” Parker picked up a legal pad and a pen. “Shoot.”

  It was hard to know if Parker’s waste-no-time attitude stemmed from her personality or her years in New York. Either way, Elisa made a mental note to stay on her toes. She might not operate that way, but she’d be damned if she let Parker think she couldn’t keep up. She spent a few minutes describing the other members of the team. Parker nodded and scribbled notes.

  “And what about Babin? Kyle.”

  Elisa quirked a brow. Even if she wasn’t looking to ally herself with Parker, she had no loyalty to him. “He’s arrogant, sexist. Not a bad lawyer, but not good enough to warrant his ego.”

  Parker tapped her pen against the pad. “I got the same feeling myself, so I’m thinking I’m going to agree with your other assessments. Thank you for taking the time.”

  “Of course.” Elisa nodded. “Is that all?”

  “I’d like to do team meetings each day at ten and four. They probably won’t be more than twenty minutes, but I want to make sure we all stay on the same page.”

  “I’ll add it to everyone’s calendar.”

  “Thanks.” Parker stood and Elisa took that as a sign she was done talking. She started to leave when Parker said, “One more thing.”

  Since Elisa was now facing away from her, she indulged in a brief eye roll before turning around. “Yes?”

  “If I ask you to do things, I hope you know it’s to be efficient. You know the logistics of things around here better than I do.”

  Elisa tipped her head slightly. “You’re the boss.”

  Parker frowned. “I don’t think of myself that way. I hope you don’t either.”

  Elisa had no idea what to make of Parker’s assertion. Was it an attempt to be friendly? To cover her ass? Was Elisa supposed to take it as a compliment or an insult? It annoyed her, but she refused to ask for elaboration. She straightened her shoulders and nodded. “Sure.”

  And then she fled to the relative safety of her own office.

  Chapter Three

  At 5:00 on the dot, Elisa shut down her computer. She didn’t usually enforce regular business hours with such exacting precision, but today it was a matter of principle. Well, that and the fact she had plans. She grabbed her purse and contemplated going down the back stairs to avoid walking by Parker’s office. Hating herself for such a cowardly thought, she walked purposefully toward the elevators.

  “Heading out?” She was a step past Parker’s office when she heard her voice.

  Elisa backtracked so she could make eye contact. “I am. Hope you have a good night.”

  Parker had taken off her jacket and rolled up the sleeves of her shirt. The look suited her even more than the full suit. She offered Elisa an easy smile. “Thanks. You, too.”

  Elisa offered a wave and kept walking. As she waited for the elevator, she chided herself for noticing. She sighed. She’d done far more than noticed. Her body seemed to have an automatic switch when it came to Parker. She went from zero to aroused in two seconds flat.

  It didn’t seem mutual. Even knowing that was for the best, it stung. She didn’t need every lesbian she encountered to find her attractive. But something about Parker—the casual confidence, the sexy butch energy that radiated from her at all times—got under Elisa’s skin. Having it entirely one-sided was…demoralizing.

  The elevator doors pinged open and she stepped inside. On the ride to the lobby she shook her head and rolled her eyes. Parker was her boss, for the next few months at least. Even if she asserted otherwise. And even if she’d already learned her lesson when it came to Parker.

  She drove home, then walked the short distance to Maxie’s. Her cousin, Sam, and friend, Mia, were already there. “Hey, lady.” Mia pulled her into a hug.

  “Hey, yourself.”

  Sam, still a relatively new addition to their group, kissed her on the cheek. By the time they’d finished exchanging greetings, Laura joined them. “No Chloe tonight?” she asked.

  “Hot date. The one she met online,” Mia said.

  Elisa smiled. “Date number four, I believe.”

  Mia nodded. “Expect details in the morning.”

  Sam held the door and they headed into the bar. Gossip took a back seat to perusing the menu and ordering drinks. Before long, they each had some version of a martini in front of them. After a chorus of cheers and clinking glasses, Elisa took a sip. She didn’t like to think of herself as ever truly needing a drink, but today, it really hit the spot. She let out a contented sigh.

  “How was it?” Laura asked.

  “How was what?” Mia added before Elisa could answer.

  Elisa related the abbreviated version of the story she’d told Laura the previous night over margaritas. Mia and Sam listened with rapt attention, nodding and shaking their heads, and offering tuts of disapproval. “And now I’m out drinking for the second night in a row.”

  Her three companions laughed. “You say that like it’s a bad thing,” said Sam.

  Laura looked at her expectantly. “So how was today?”

  Elisa shrugged. “It was fine.”

  Mia propped her chin in her hand. Laura looked incredulous. Sam folded her hands and set them on the table.

  “It was annoying and awkward and she called me into her office after the team meeting and
tried to be friendly. I guess her dad died and she’s been wanting to move back home to be closer to her mom. So that’s a relief, right? I mean, not about her dad, but that her coming back had nothing to do with me.”

  Three heads nodded. Laura asked, “Is she still hot?”

  Elisa sighed. “So. Fucking. Hot.”

  Laura looked at her with sympathy. “I’m sorry. Did she, you know, acknowledge your past?”

  “I don’t think what happened between us counts as a past. It was one night. Mostly we were acquaintances. Casual friends at best.”

  Mia shook her head. “A hookup is a hookup. Not acknowledging it is weird. You have to mutually agree to pretend it never happened or it just hangs out there.”

  “Which makes it a thing.” Laura shook her head. “I’m sorry, but if she remembers enough to call you in and chat you up, she remembers making out with you.”

  “Maybe making out with me is not all that memorable.” Not that she wanted to think that, but it might make her current situation more palatable.

  “I think she was flirting with you.” Sam pointed at her with a toothpicked olive. “If she’s not technically your boss, it’s not taboo to ask you out. She’s chumming the waters.”

  Elisa curled her lip at the assertion, as well as the metaphor. “I don’t think so.”

  Laura nodded. “Sam has a point. What exactly did she say?”

  Elisa replayed the conversation in her mind. “She asked me to do something and I replied with ‘you’re the boss.’ Then she said, ‘I don’t think of myself that way. I hope you don’t either.’”

  Sam ate one of the olives and dropped the toothpick back in the glass. “Definitely flirting. Why else would she say that?”

  “Because she made a dig about me not being a partner yet and probably felt bad.”

  Sam lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. I think it could easily be read either way.”

  “Or both,” Mia said.

  “So what are you going to do?” Leave it to Laura to ask the million-dollar question.

  “My job.”