18. Other People’s Nice Stuff
CHAPTER 18
OTHER PEOPLE’S NICE STUFF
Jake: Hey, I know this is last minute, but my friend offered me his boat for the day. Laura and I want you two to join us, if you can. Meet at the Waterfront dock in an hour?
I t had been five days since Addison and Tim last saw each other, exchanging only sporadic texts. She’d had fun with Lexi at the nail salon on Saturday, but her mood was dampened by worrying about Tim still being upset. She decided to wait for Tim’s response to Jake’s text. Her phone pinged with a message from him:
Tim: You in for the boat?
They hadn’t made plans for the weekend since Tim had needed some space to cool off. Addison felt relieved that he wanted to see her now.
Addison: Definitely. Sounds like fun!
Tim: I’m at my parents’ house for a bit longer. Dad was adamant about climbing up on the roof to do a repair, so I obviously had to go over and stop him. Can I meet you at the dock?
Addison: Of course. See you there.
Addison immediately began getting ready, more to distract herself from overanalyzing Tim’s texts than because she needed much time. By the time she arrived at the Georgetown Waterfront dock, where Jake and Laura were already aboard a shiny pontoon boat bobbing beside the plaza, she realized she had beaten Tim there.
“Hey,” she greeted brightly when Tim arrived.
“Hey,” he responded, giving her a quick kiss.
It wasn’t his usual enthusiastic greeting, but it wasn’t terrible either.
They were saved from further awkward conversation by Jake’s campy rendition of The Love Boat theme song. Laura looked momentarily embarrassed before joining in.
Tim climbed aboard first, holding out his hand to help Addison. He didn’t let go after she was on the boat, his hand warm in hers.
Addison raised her eyebrows in question, giving him a hopeful look.
“No, I’m not mad,” Tim whispered in her ear. “We need to discuss some things, but I’m not mad.”
Discuss some things? Addison knew that was just a fancy version of “we need to talk.”
Seeing her alarmed expression, Tim added, “It’s not bad. You look like I’m about to push you overboard.”
That would be preferable to a big talk.
She smiled weakly. “Okay.”
Jake and Laura’s good moods were contagious, and by the time they had motored further down the river, Addison and Tim were smiling and laughing along with them. The earlier tension had melted away, and Addison was ready to believe Tim when he said he wasn’t mad.
“I made sandwiches!” Laura announced proudly when they anchored in a quiet spot.
“Oh, future wife, you’re the best,” Jake declared, planting a big kiss on her cheek.
Laura handed out sandwiches and drinks, then produced a chocolate cake from her cooler. “You thought sandwiches were good? Wait until you try this cake.”
Jake and Laura seemed wrapped up in their own little world, leaving Addison and Tim to their own conversation. Addison glanced over at Tim, only to see him gazing at her.
“I want to be like that. Public. Free to show everyone we’re in love,” he told her longingly.
“We will be. We’re so close,” she assured him.
“In front of everyone, Addie. No worries. No drama. No hang-ups. Don’t I deserve that?”
Uh oh. Looks like that discussion is happening now. Jake and Laura were oblivious, too wrapped up in each other to notice. No one to save me now.
“You deserve everything, Tim. I want that too. You know my issue. I already promised you I’d talk to Lexi, but you need to let me do it in my own time.”
“If we’re going to be a real couple, we need to compromise. I’ve waited long enough,” Tim said firmly.
“I did compromise. That’s why we came out to Jake and Laura at Jaleo.”
Addison made compromises for a living—negotiating was practically second nature. But she wasn’t going to be pushed into more than what was fair.
“Can you at least give me a timeline?” Tim asked, sounding defeated.
“One month.”
“Two weeks,” Tim countered.
“I’m not selling you a used car, Tim! We can’t negotiate this. One month.”
“Fine. One month. Not a minute later,” he sighed.
“Looks like you had a good weekend in the sun,” Melissa, Addison’s boss, remarked as she admired Addison’s tan.
“Yeah, it was nice. A friend invited me for a boat ride on Saturday, and it felt great to be outside.”
“I’m glad you’re well-rested because you might be spending some long hours indoors,” Melissa said cryptically, giving her a wink.
Addison’s interest piqued. “Do I sense a challenge?”
“You bet. I’m taking Derek off the Bergman case and making you the lead.”
Addison’s eyes widened. Me? Replacing a senior associate?
She kept her expression professional, despite the excitement building inside. “I’d love that. I’ve already spent a lot of time on the case, so I could get up to speed quickly.”
“You’ve been the MVP on most of Derek’s cases. I figured it was time to let you shine,” Melissa said, her smile proud.
Addison could hardly believe it. This was the big opportunity she’d been waiting for. Derek was likely sulking somewhere, but he had been slacking off for months, leaving her to do most of his work. It seemed like justice.
With the case now on a tight turnaround, Addison found herself staying at the office late into the night. She barely had time to think about Tim’s countdown as she buried herself in the Bergman case. It was Another bonus of being the lead on the Bergman case was that she was too busy on her important case to have to babysit Kyle, so he had been foisted upon another associate. She didn’t care who. I feel the tiniest bit guilty about getting rid of him, but there’s no time for feelings of any sort now.
The client was a distasteful woman. Ms. Bergman was on trial for allegedly embezzling charity funds that were to go to her food insecurity non-profit’s clients. She was almost literally taking food out of underprivileged people’s mouths to buy expensive vacations, jewelry, and shoes. Finding a way to convince the jury that she didn’t do it was taking all of Addison’s brain power. The only times Addison had been able to see Tim during the case were when he came over when she got home, he forced her to eat something, and then they went to bed.
“I’ve never seen you so intense about your work,” Tim remarked one night, lying beside her in bed.
Addison could barely keep her eyes open, but she felt satisfied in a way only challenging work could provide.
“I’ve never had an opportunity this big before. This case could make my career.”
“You amaze me,” Tim said softly, brushing her hair back.
“Let’s hope I can bring home a win and really knock your socks off,” she said tiredly.
“Just my socks?”
Three weeks later, Addison’s client had her day in court. By all rights, Ms. Bergman should have gone to prison for a long time—but Addison was good at her job, even if her clients weren’t always deserving. She sometimes had to put aside her distaste for them, as they were usually over privileged people who abused their power and position. Sadly, money talks and gets people further, like being able to pay for Addison and her firm’s representation.
When the not-guilty verdict came in, Addison’s adrenaline spiked. She shook with excess energy as Ms. Bergman hugged her.
“You were incredible,” Ms. Bergman said, tears streaming down her face.
Addison smiled politely. “Glad we got you a win. Now, keep your nose clean, okay?”
“You better believe it. No more non-profits for me.”
Or, here’s an idea, maybe just don’t embezzle, Addison thought dryly.
Even Derek congratulated her. “Addison, I’m impressed. You really nailed it.”
That’s refreshingly gracious. I’m not sure I’d have been so nice in his position.
Outside the courthouse, Addison immediately called Tim. As the phone rang, she accepted pats on the back from colleagues.
“Are you America’s Next Top Lawyer?” Tim joked.
“You’re damn right I am,” she replied, grinning ear to ear.
They made plans for a romantic celebration that night at Tim’s place, where he promised to treat her like a queen.
Tim went above and beyond, making her feel special in every way. It was the perfect night.
The next morning, Addison’s phone rang while they were lounging and watching TV. It was from a number at the firm. Addison almost let it go to voicemail, but she picked up.
“Addison Kennedy,” she answered, professional as always.
“Addison! Rand Gilbert here. Just wanted to say I was so impressed with your work on the Bergman case. It was clearly smart to let you take the lead. I’ve been receiving congratulations all day for that decision. I knew you had it in you.”
“Thank you, sir,” she replied, surprised.
“I think you’ve earned yourself a vacation,” Rand continued. “Talk to Emma—she’ll set you up with everything you need. I’ve got a place in Aspen, and I think you deserve a break.”
Addison could hardly believe it. “Thank you. That’s incredibly generous.”
“You’ve earned it. Take a friend, relax, and have fun.”
After hanging up, she turned to Tim, still in shock.
“You’re never going to believe this. One of the senior partners is offering me a free trip to Aspen.”
“Ireally hope you’re taking me,” Tim said with a grin.
“I was thinking of taking Lexi,” Addison teased.
“Definitely. That’s a good idea,” Tim nodded, trying to hide his disappointment.
“Of course I’m taking you. Do you really think I’d take a romantic trip to Aspen with Lexi?”
“I’ve learned not to assume anything with you, Addie,” he laughed.
They spent the rest of the day planning the trip, excited for a well-earned break in the mountains.