Chapter 7
Serena
Feeling a slight sense of power in turning away from him first, I bite back my smile as Allison continues to fill me in on what appears to be a massively complicated job.
“So Logan doesn’t see the pro bono cases.
He is the lead attorney and will show up in court if it gets that far, but Jenny is the one who deals with them.
We need to have a five percent pro bono, and Logan takes one percent of those, so you won’t see many, but don’t bother him with it. Go to Jenny.”
“Who’s Jenny?” I ask boldly. Allison is a straight shooter and won’t give me the run around, which I appreciate.
“Blonde paralegal over there.” She points to a desk a bit further away where a stunningly beautiful, immaculately turned-out woman sits, talking on the phone.
Ugh. Jenny. Bet Logan has stuck his giant dick in her.
Almost fuming at the thought, I turn back to glare at him, but he isn’t looking at me this time. Asshole. I refuse to place him in the bigger jerk category of thinks he has a giant dick and doesn’t. There is no way that guy is packing a teeny wiener under that Hugo Boss suit.
“Be proactive; look for something to do if you don’t have anything.
Don’t go to Logan; come to me. If you have a hundred questions—ask them.
I would rather you ask than screw up. Logan needs stability in this role, and I think you can give it to him with the right attitude.
Don’t let him bully you. He’s a curmudgeon.
Get used to it. Don’t let it affect you. He will be worse if he makes you cry.”
My eyes widen at that. This sounds terrible.
“And do me a favor, love. Will you make up with Rue? She is the guard dog, and she does it well. Swearing at her, while I get it, was a bad move. You need her on your side. You’ll see how many creeps we get up here demanding to speak to the senior partners.
” She leans forward to whisper conspiratorially.
“She’s only had to call security once in four years. ”
Allison straightens up with a ‘there you go’ expression.
“Okay, I’m sorry for swearing at her. She was just being…”
“Rue?”
“I guess so. I’ll apologize.”
“Good girl.” She pats my hand, and I beam at her, enjoying the small amount of praise, even though it’s just a saying.
Allison stands. “Remember to ask. Don’t fumble through, okay?”
“Got it.”
“Go make a weak, tepid green tea and take it to Rue as a peace offering.”
Nodding, I try not to be insulted that she is defending Rue the guard dog over me.
She barely knows me, and clearly, Rue is a valued member of the team.
Well, never let it be said that Serena Wakefield couldn’t take the high road when necessary.
I really don’t want to make enemies on my first day. It’s not a good look.
Standing up, I bend over to lock the computer, taking Allison’s advice very seriously about leaving it open for anyone to look at. Glancing at the stack of files I need to sort out, I figure making up with Rue is probably in everyone's best interest, so the files can wait five minutes.
Logan is still immersed in his work, his glasses perched on his nose. Biting the inside of my lip, I look away. Staring too long at him hurts my eyes. He is gorgeous, but what an asshole. There is no way he will make me cry. If that’s what he’s hoping for, then he has another thing coming.
Making my way to the small kitchenette, I grab a nice, clean white mug and root around for the green tea bags.
Finding them, I pop one in the mug and hold it under the hot water dispenser, whipping the tea bag out as soon as the mug is full.
I glare at the watery contents and shrug.
Not my first choice, but it definitely seems to be Rue’s.
I leave it on the counter to cool down and decide to make a coffee while I’m in here.
As I reach for another mug, someone joins me in the small room.
I glance over my shoulder and give a curt smile to the middle-aged man in an expensive suit, but that doesn’t do much for him.
He is a slightly overweight, average looking man with thinning hair.
“New girl,” he says, trying for a purr, I think, but failing.
I instantly tense up and grab the nearest mug, yanking it off the shelf so I can move away when he steps in closer.
“I’m John Jeffers, Senior Partner. You’re Logan’s latest assistant?”
I nod. “Serena Wakefield.”
“Lovely name.”
Cringing, I turn away to make my coffee, jumping when his hand rests on my ass as I pour hot water.
“Oww,” I exclaim as the scorching water splashes on my hand at my sudden movement.
“Let me help you with that.”
“No! It’s okay; I’ve got it, thank you.” I shuffle away, but he closes in on me, wedging me between the corner of the counter and his considerable bulk. He’s not huge, but he’s a lot bigger than me and practically breathing down my neck, his eyes on my cleavage.
Eww.
“Excuse me,” I mutter, edging past him, needing to get away from the cloistered air suddenly all around me.
Luckily, he lets me go, his creepy gaze following me as I pick up Rue’s tea and race from the room.
“Pervert,” I mutter, glad to be back in the busy office, safe from further unwanted advances.
Note to self. Go out for coffee in future.
Making my way over to the Reception Desk, I remember that Allison said tepid, and this is hot.
I can’t go over to Rue with a peace offering that is all wrong.
In her shoes, that would just rub me up the wrong way, so I divert back to my desk to find Logan standing in his office doorway, a fierce frown etched into his handsome face.
Gulping, I place the two mugs down on my desk. “Sorry, I was getting coffee,” I mutter.
“Was he bothering you?” he snaps.
“Uhm…who?” I look over my shoulder and see creepy John ambling out of the kitchenette, looking sketchily innocent.
“John,” Logan growls.
Hesitating, I can’t decide what to do. Rat out the named partner and have this be a thing when I really need it to not be a thing, or brush it off and hope it doesn’t happen again.
“Hmm, no, I’m all good,” I murmur and flustered at the bald-faced lie, I snatch up the tea and march off, not even bothering to tell him where I’m going.
This day is going from bad to worse.
I’ll have my ass canned before he can even make me cry.
Startled, I find myself a bit upset by that thought.