Chapter 4
Porter
My mind wandered heavily on my drive into the city. I had a meeting with my first choice of the firms I’d be interviewing with.
Yet instead of gearing myself up for the interview, I couldn’t get my damn mind off of Kaylee. The woman was nobody to me; I barely even knew her name. Why was I so distracted by her?
The thing I’d learned the most by growing up in a small town was that news traveled fast and it was almost impossible to avoid running into people.
I would’ve loved to not have to see Kaylee again or even breathe the same air as her, but unless I wanted to move again, it was going to happen.
She was a typical gold digger, and from what I’d seen, the only other thing she had going for her was a hot body and big attitude.
Neither of those things should have been enough to keep her on my mind.
Yet here she was, floating around in my thoughts, all the way on the drive.
I slapped the steering wheel and focused on how pretty the scenery was.
It would give me some dedicated time that I could listen to a book on my phone or dictate notes into an app.
Use my handsfree to call and catch up with my old clan.
The drive didn’t have to be a bad thing.
Kaylee didn’t have to travel to work. She just fired up the computer and got naked and… whatever else she did to get money from sad old men with deep pockets. I couldn’t respect that. No thought went into it. No training or education. She’d taken the easy way out.
And it didn’t matter how hot she was. Gorgeous, really.
It was her looks that made her believe she could act the way she did, all abrasive and rude.
I shouldn’t have even noticed her looks, as hard as they were to ignore.
If it weren’t for the way she carried herself, like she had vinegar sitting under her skin, I might’ve given her the time of day in the bar the other night.
But even her posture screamed that she was a lot of drama and nonsense.
Perhaps a casual date or two with her wouldn’t have been so bad.
But no. No. I had to shut down that way of thinking. That was me letting the wrong head lead the way. Her gorgeous face and body weren’t worth the hassles they’d bring along with them.
I parked in the garage underneath the near skyscraper that housed the offices of Gilbert, Gilbert, and Fell.
The elevators opened into an enormous lobby with a receptionist that seemed to serve all the offices in the building. Big job.
“May I help you?” she smiled and cocked her head at me.
“I have an appointment with Gilbert, Gilbert, and Fell. Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.”
She tapped on a tablet and smiled a few seconds later. “You may take the south elevators,” she gestured behind her to the left, “to the thirteenth floor.” She handed me a small sticker to put on my suit. “The clerk there will take over.”
“Thank you.” I nodded my head at her and walked toward the elevators.
This office was pretty impressive. My last firm had been highly sought after but was in a small town. It was a great position, and I’d loved my time there, but this made me feel like a country mouse in the city.
I was sure I’d get used to it, though. This had always been my dream, to work for a large firm, one day working my way up to partner, while I had a wife and kids waiting on me at home.
Well, I didn’t mind if she stayed home or wanted to work. Whatever was fine. The family, the devotion. That’s what was important.
“Porter!” An older man met me in the lobby. “Right on time.” He held out his hand and shook mine firmly. “Richard Gilbert. A pleasure to meet you.”
The receptionist stood and opened the door for us, nodding at us both as we walked by.
He was noticeably young, perhaps an intern.
“Porter, I know we spoke on the phone about a position in our family law department, but after talking to your old partners and seeing your case history, I’d like to talk to you about something else. ”
He took me to a conference room where two other men sat chatting at the end of a big conference table. “Porter, meet my partners. My brother, Jeremiah Gilbert, and our third partner, Victor Fell.”
It wasn’t really what I expected of an interview, but maybe they did things differently here. “Nice to meet you all. Thank you for having me.”
I shook their hands and joined them at the table.
“Porter, I’m going to get straight to it,” Richard said. “I’m retiring at the end of this year and we still haven’t found a suitable replacement. We’ve been interviewing but nobody fits the bill. I’m mighty impressed by you, son, and would like to talk to you about possibly becoming a partner.”
I raised my eyebrows and looked at each of them in turn. “That’s quite an honor.”
“This isn’t a job offer, you understand,” Mr. Fell said. “It’s more an invitation to spend more time with us and see if you might be a good fit.”
I nodded dumbly. “That makes sense, you want your new partner to mesh with the two of you.”
“Exactly,” Richard said.
We spent some time discussing the caseloads, employee numbers, and other things firm partners had to concern themselves with.
After a half-hour of talking, I knew I wasn’t ready for a position like this.
“Gentlemen, as flattered as I am, I’m going to have to pass.
I’m still very interested in your position in family law, and wouldn’t refuse you in the future, I don’t think.
But I’m hoping to meet someone and start a family before too long.
I’d hate to be putting in the kind of time a partner has to commit to with a young family at home. ”
Richard ducked his head. “I can respect that. We’ll pass our information to the hiring manager in that department.
I don’t see any issue with adding you to the team there.
And who knows? My brother is ten years younger than me.
Maybe by the time he retires in a decade, you’ll be ready for the promotion. ”
I grinned widely. “That actually sounds amazing. Thank you.”
Richard signaled to someone at the door and held up a finger to me.
“Stay for lunch, son, we’ve already ordered it.
I’d like to get to know you a bit better.
” He stood. “Come on, they’re laying us out a big spread in the other conference room.
And maybe by the time we eat, I might have you changing your mind. ”
Mr. Fell chuckled as we followed. “He’ll wear you down. He’s good at that. The best way you could’ve gotten a job offer from Rich is by refusing him.”
I was sure I wasn’t ready for a partner position, but it was flattering all the same.
As we walked into the hall, toward the left, a movement to our right caught my gaze. As soon as I turned my head, shock and revulsion filled my gut. What in the hell was she doing here?
Kaylee spotted me seconds after, and her steps fumbled for a second.
Of all the… Why was she there? She headed toward us wearing a somewhat-tasteful blue dress that flared at her knees.
My eyes traveled down her shapely legs, unable to look away from her little feet in the matching blue shoes. Damn it.
But then Richard noticed her. “Kaylee,” he said, her name a caress on his lips. He was obviously beyond thrilled to see her. He veered around and walked toward her. “You came.” He touched her shoulders gently and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
Oh, freaking gross. Of course, she had a client here. Now I couldn’t take this job. This woman, who shouldn’t have been anything to me, was showing up in the most unlikely places. I would’ve thought she was stalking me if Richard hadn’t clearly known her.
Richard passed by the rest of us as we waited politely, with Kaylee on his arm. She glanced at me out of the corner of her eyes with her nose in the air.
They led the way to the other conference room where wraps and other deli selections were spread out all over the conference table.
“Excuse me,” Richard said. “I’ll be right back. Little boys’ room.” He headed back out into the hall and closed the door behind him.
Kaylee turned to me as soon as the other partners moseyed to the far end of the table and busied themselves with filling plates. “What are you doing here?” she hissed.
“I’m here for a job interview.” I didn’t bother asking why she was here. It was obvious. “I guess you’re here to collect from your sugar daddy so you can steal my house from me. I’m guessing you’re the reason the realtor is dragging her feet?”
She smirked and tossed her long, honey-blonde hair over her shoulder. “I don’t need a sugar daddy to buy my house.”
The door opened and Richard came through. “Oh, so you know my granddaughter?” he asked when he saw us talking.
His… granddaughter?
Oh, fuck. Kaylee’s face spread into a big, smug grin. “Porter lives nearby in Bluewater, Gramps.”
Shit. I’d really fucked this up.
“Well, nice that you’ll have someone nearby to show you the area,” Richard said and beamed at Kaylee. “I’m sure my granddaughter would love to show you the sites.” He winked at her. “Porter here is in family law.”
He pulled out a chair for her and made a plate as she sat and beamed at me. “That’s so interesting. What made you get into family law?”
“Here, boy, make yourself a plate. I’d make one for you, too, but I don’t know what you like. I know my Kay-kay here.” He set a plate in front of her and she blew him a kiss.
“Perfect, Gramps. Thanks.” She took a big bite of her wrap and continued smiling at me as she chewed.
I grabbed a sandwich blindly and snatched a bottle of water before plopping down in the chair across from Kaylee. “This is nice, thank you. I don’t think I’ve ever been fed at a job interview.”
Mr. Gilbert, who I supposed was Kaylee’s great-uncle, chuckled. “This is a bit out of the ordinary for us as well, but you’ve piqued Richard’s interests now.”
Richard puffed up and patted his chest. “Oh, I’m just a nosy old man.
” He made his own plate and told me about himself.
“My son is Kaylee’s father. We had a falling out many, many years ago.
I didn’t even know Kay-kay existed until she was eighteen.
By then, she didn’t need a gramps. She’d been on her own too long. ”
She stared at me as he spoke, daring me to comment on that.
I understood it too well. I judged her choice in careers, but I wouldn't judge her for a rough upbringing.
“But I wore her down. And now I have a beautiful granddaughter in my life. I’m a lucky man.” He sat down and patted her hand. “I couldn’t ask for more.”
Kaylee’s face softened as she looked at her grandfather. “Me too, Gramps. Love you.”
Her glare returned when she looked back at me.
I lowered my gaze. I wouldn’t challenge her here. She resented me, and even with the thought of having to run into her here at the office, I still wanted this job. I liked Richard and the other two partners. They seemed like fair men.
We made small talk and I told the partners more about my case records as we ate. Eventually, though, Mr. Fell checked his watch. “Gentlemen, we have another appointment in five minutes.”
They stood, and Kaylee and I followed quickly. “Excuse us,” Richard said as he squeezed Kaylee’s arms again. “I meant to walk you out, Porter, but Kaylee, can you do that for me? I’ve got to go grab some files for this next meeting.”
“Of course, Gramps.” She beamed at him. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Porter, boy, you expect a call from me soon,” Richard said with a significant look.
They left and Kaylee’s entire demeanor changed. She stiffened and glared at me. “Don’t worry about your job. I wouldn’t rat you out to Gramps. But you do need to retract your bid on that house.”
I recoiled. “Are you giving me an ultimatum?” That was pretty low, even for her.
“I am. I want that house. Enough to fight dirty.” She raised her eyebrows and waited for me to meet the challenge. “Will you do it?”
Damn. “Stop being a brat.” I seethed as I tried to think of a way to keep the house and the job… and get this bitch out of my life.
“I’m not being a brat. I’m going after what I want, and you’re standing in my way.” She stepped closer, indicating she wouldn’t be backing down no matter what.
Having her body so close to mine turned me on, and if I was honest, so did her challenging behavior. I was an alpha, with an alpha personality in all aspects of life. Nobody challenged me.
The fact that she thought she could, and that it made me want her, royally pissed me off. She was being a brat and that’s all there was to it.
“Recall your bid.” She turned with a flounce and walked out of the conference room, leaving me standing in an empty room full of leftover food, gaping at the spot she’d just stood.
I made my way home, and by the time I walked back into my tiny fucking loft, my blood was boiling. My dislike for Kaylee grew every time I saw her.
I had to figure out a way to bring her down a peg or two.