24
Vivian
Emergency Calls
Vivian looked in the mirror one last time.
The dress was devastating. The bow on one shoulder prevented it from going totally Jessica Rabbit, but she expected Rowan’s eyes to pop like a cartoon just a little bit.
Her hair was… as perfect as she could get it.
Some things were just never going to happen without the aid of a professional.
But overall, she thought she looked damn hot.
She carefully left the office and walked down the short hallway.
Negotiating the stairs in her gown took a little bit of effort.
There was a lot of skirt. She ended up hitching it up and sort of tip-toeing down so she wouldn’t trip and kill herself.
She reached the bottom and took a moment to compose herself.
She didn’t want to look discombobulated when she saw Rowan.
Vivian stepped out into the hall and approached the curtain, hoping that Rowan was waiting for her. She reached for the curtain, preparing to make her entrance, and stopped as she heard a woman’s voice.
“Well,” purred Belinda, “what do you think?”
Vivian stood behind the curtain and hesitated.
She wanted to go out and tell Belinda exactly where to get off.
But if she went out there, she would have to stand up and say she was dating Rowan.
Was this the time? She generally avoided squaring off against Belinda directly.
Vivian didn’t have the power that Belinda did and she also found it silly to be so at odds with the other woman.
On the other hand, Victory Mission and the gala belonged to her. Belinda could go fuck herself.
“Not a bad little shindig, right? Vivian is such a good assistant. She really did hire the right event planner. These galas have really become one of the fundraisers to be at.”
Vivian took a deep breath and gathered her skirt, intending to go out and smile politely at Belinda until she went away.
“I have to admit I don’t really go to many fundraisers,” said Rowan. “But yeah, it seems great.”
Vivian stopped. It seemed great? That was worse than an insult. It was the it’s fine of compliments.
“Well, the firm likes to align itself with quality talent,” said Belinda, and Vivian wrinkled her nose.
What was Belinda playing at? Those had almost sounded like compliments.
“Someday, Vivian might grow up into quite a little manager. I don’t think she’s picked her direction in life yet, though.”
“I’m not sure I can offer an opinion on that,” said Rowan. Vivian glared at where she thought Rowan was through the curtain. What did that even mean?
“Really?” asked Belinda with a laugh. “You seemed pretty close with her last week when I saw you in the hall. I mean, I completely understand. She’s adorable. But maybe you’re right—it’s better not to get involved in the inner workings of the twenty-something mind. Who knows what you’ll find?”
Rowan let out a surprised bark of laughter and Vivian ground her teeth.
“Anyway,” said Belinda. Her voice had the same perfect pitch as when she delivered her closing argument. “When you’re ready to have someone who can carry a conversation, maybe you should give me a call.”
“Belinda, I don’t think—” said Rowan, his tone was politely firm, but it didn’t negate the laugh from a moment earlier.
“I get it. You’re the kind of person who likes to keep things discreet and tidy. So do I. See you around, Rowan.”
Vivian peeped through the curtains in time to see Belinda caress his arm as she left, hips swaying gently. Rowan watched her as she walked away.
Vivian opened the curtains and stepped out. She felt flushed. Rowan shook his head as if in disbelief at Belinda and turned around. Vivian waited. If he said she looked great, she would punch him in the face. Instead, he didn’t say anything.
“Viv,” he began, a slow smile curling the corner of his mouth. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Let me guess, you can’t really offer an opinion,” said Vivian.
“What?”
“I told everyone we were dating,” she said angrily, trying to fight through the block of tears that seemed to be clogging her throat. “You said that’s what you wanted.”
“You didn’t tell Belinda,” he growled. It was a tone she’d never heard from him before—aggressive and sharp.
“I told everyone who matters,” she snapped. “But I guess you wouldn’t want to investigate the inner workings of my mind to find that out.”
“What?” He looked equal parts confused and angry.
“Well, us twenty-somethings aren’t very bright.”
His phone began to ring, and he looked at it impatiently and swiped it off.
“Oh, that doesn’t apply to you and you know it!”
“Who else does it apply it to?” she demanded.
“All the idiots on my payroll. They have about six highly trained brain cells between them. You are not in the same category.”
“Gee, thanks so much for the sterling endorsement,” retorted Vivian.
“Viv, I don’t know what you want from me.”
She wanted him to take her seriously. She wanted him to love her. She wanted him to say it out loud.
His phone beeped a text, and he glanced at it.
“9-1-1,” he muttered.
Then the phone rang again, and he picked it up this time.
“Forest,” he said. “Is Olly OK?”
Vivian couldn’t hear what Forest said in response but she could hear the tone—it was sheer panic.
“Wait? What? Forest, talk slower.”
Rowan was silent as he listened to Forest.
“Rowan,” said Vivian hesitantly. She didn’t have much time before the gala started.
“OK, the process server came to the door. But with what? What did he give you?”
Vivian hesitated. Legally speaking it was an absolute fact that process servers did not bring good news.
“Vera’s parents served you with custody papers—” said Rowan.
Vivian was still furious at Rowan, but she felt her heart racing for poor Forest. He’d said his partner had passed. If Olly’s grandparents were suing for custody, Forest was probably freaking out. He needed a lawyer immediately.
“No, that is a terrible idea,” said Rowan, firmly.
“Rowan!” Vivian grabbed at his arm, but he shook her off.
“Forest, don’t hang up. Just give me a second. No one is taking Olly anywhere.”
“Yes, I am listening but wait. Forest, just wait. Do not put Olly in the car and drive to Canada. That is not what you need to do.”
“He needs to call—” Vivian began, but Rowan turned away from her.
“No, don’t hang up.”
Rowan made a frustrated, angry noise and stared at his phone. Then, he began texting furiously.
“Rowan, Forest needs to—”
“Vivian, please,” Rowan snapped, holding up his hand like she was one of his underlings.
“I’m trying to tell you—” She grabbed his arm. “He needs an attorney and I can help.”
Rowan paused and glanced at her. “You’re right. Find him one and text me the information.”
“I need—”
“I don’t have time for this.”
Vivian picked her words carefully. “No, you don’t. You need—”
“Vivian, you are brilliant, but you don’t have the experience for this kind of thing. Forest doesn’t need advice from the girl I’m—Mexico? What the fuck.”
He cut off, and Vivian stared at him. He wasn’t even looking at her—instead, he continued to type on his phone.
“Right,” said Vivian, feeling the sharp burn of humiliation. “Right. I’m just the twenty-something assistant you’re fucking.”
“That is not what I said,” he said, biting off the words—still without looking up.
“Maybe this is a lost cause,” she said, shaking her head. His head snapped up and he swung around to face her.
“I’m sorry is my family interfering with your party?” he snarled. “You know nothing about the kind of responsibilities that come with—”
“With being an adult? Yeah, thanks, Mr. Valkyrie, but save the speeches.”
“Hey, Viv!” Ashley yelled before pulling open the curtain, but then she froze. Her hand went to her headset, as her eyes swiveled back and forth between the two of them. “They’re about ready for you at the front table.”
“No problem,” said Vivian. She looked back at Rowan. “What I was going to say, if you’d let me finish, is that Forest should call Grant Ichikawa, the lawyer that handled Olly’s citizenship. Not that I would know anything about the law since I’m just a paralegal.”
“Viv?” Ashley looked like she wanted to be anywhere else. Vivian gave it a beat, but Rowan didn’t speak.
“Yeah, Ashley. Looks like I’m done here. If you’ll excuse me, I have a speech of my own to give.” She turned away, swallowing tears, and marched into the ballroom.