Chapter 15 Adrienne
Adrienne
Aiden’s name flashes across my phone just as I’m sorting through documents stacked high on my desk. I smile, swipe to answer, already bracing myself for his usual teasing.
“Hey, sis,” his voice comes warm but tired, the faint Texas drawl he’s started to develop sharper when he’s stressed.
“Listen, I’m sorry. I’m buried in a damn cattle mess down here.
Calves breaking through fences, ranch hands running in circles.
I don’t think I’ll make it home for the anniversary party. ”
My heart dips, but I force an understanding tone, not wanting to make him feel even worse. “Aw, that sucks. I know you wanted to be here. But it’s okay, Aiden. You’ve got your hands full. I’ll handle it.”
“You always do,” he says softly, then clears his throat. “But uh, while I've got you on the phone, I wanted to mention something… Axel mentioned you’ve been spending a lot of time at the garage? With Scotty.”
My spine stiffens. Heat rushes to my cheeks even though he can’t see me.
Of course, Axel couldn’t keep his mouth shut.
“It’s nothing,” I say too quickly. “The Mustang needed work. Scotty’s helping. That’s all.”
“Mm-hmm.” His skepticism crackles down the line. “Just… be careful, Adrienne. You know his reputation.”
It’s a good thing it’s not a video call because I roll my eyes so hard. I sigh, “I said it’s nothing, Aiden. Now stop worrying about me and go wrangle your cattle. I’ll make sure the party goes well. We both know I can’t count on Axel for much help.”
He chuckles, weary. “Alright, alright. I trust you. I’ll give Axel a call, make sure he knows he needs to help you. Love you, sis.”
“Love you too.”
I end the call and stare at my phone a second longer, frustration buzzing under my skin. My brothers always think they know better. They’ve been in my business since the day we were born. Slade Cubed, as everyone called us growing up. And with Axel and Aiden, it’s Slade Squared: forever meddling.
Before I can spiral, a knock at my office door jolts me. “Come in,” I call, smoothing my blouse.
The door opens, and in walks my Aunt Celeste, still perfectly put together in a tailored cream blazer and matching pants. My aunt always looks like she stepped off the cover of Vogue, a reminder that she’s originally from LA and her style never forgot that.
“Aunt Celeste?” I smile, pleasantly surprised. Since she retired, allowing me to step up and take over as the lead corporate counsel here at Slade, she rarely drops by the office anymore. “What are you doing here?”
She smiles, closing the door behind her.
“Drake insisted on coming to check in with Trent. I swear, that man will never fully retire. I figured I’d tag along and see how you’re doing.
It sounds like you do little more than work these days.
I can relate.” She shakes her head at the memory of her time running this place with her husband, Drake.
“Figured you wouldn’t mind a little break and chat with your Aunt. ”
A laugh escapes me, the tension from my call with Aiden easing. “God knows I need it.”
“Then make us some tea, darling,” she says, settling gracefully into the chair across from my desk.
I move to the small credenza in my office and turn on the electric kettle. While I wait for the water to boil, I ready our mugs with tea bags. My pulse finally slows. For the first time all day, I feel myself breathe.
“Chaos aside,” Celeste says, crossing her long legs, “you’re glowing. Being overworked and busy seems to suit you.”
I roll my eyes as I carry her tea over. “Busy is the only thing keeping me sane with this anniversary looming. Aiden just called,” I sigh, sinking down into the chair next to her. “Things are pretty chaotic down in Texas, so it’s looking like he won’t be able to make it home for the party.”
“Oh, sweetheart, that's unfortunate. Is there anything I can do to help? You know I can make a single call and have the best party planner on the West Coast out here in a day.”
“Oh gosh no, but thank you.” I reach out and squeeze her hand. She’s always gone above and beyond in any way she can for all of us. “I’m keeping it small.”
“Small?” She crooks a brow, “with this family?”
“Small for a Slade function,” I laugh. “No big LA caterers or flying in Willie Nelson for a surprise performance of ‘Happy Birthday.’”
“That was one time,” Celeste quips, “besides, Willie is a friend of Drake’s, you know that.”
“I know,” I laugh, handing her the tea. “But I promise, I’ll figure it all out and keep my sanity at the same time.”
She takes the mug. “Then let’s drink to sanity.”
Celeste takes a slow sip of her tea, eyes thoughtful, then sets the cup down.
She rises, crosses to the door to make sure it’s fully closed, and pushes it shut with a quiet click.
She returns to her chair, crossing one elegant leg over the other, her gaze steady on mine.
“Adrienne, there’s something I need to say, and I want it to stay between us for now. ”
I swallow, straightening in my chair. “Okay…”
She smooths the cuff of her blazer, stalling for a beat, then meets my eyes. “You remember my old firm in LA?”
“Of course. I lived on caffeine and adrenaline the semester I interned there during law school. It was brutal… but I loved every second of it. Why?” I can’t hide the confusion in my voice.
“You thrived there, Adrienne. You were sharp, fearless. You lit up in a way I haven’t really seen from you, outside of the times you were away from here.”
I smile at the memories, but they start to fade. Why is she bringing this up?
“Well,” she continues, her tone more serious now, “since I left, the firm has grown into one of the top in the city, you know that, you experienced it. My colleague Catherine is the managing partner now, and she’s been pressing me for months for recommendations.
She needs someone with corporate law and contract negotiation expertise.
She needs someone hungry, eager. Someone who isn’t afraid of being busy and run ragged, frankly, by the demands.
Preferably someone who thrives in that kind of environment. ”
I grip my mug tighter, heat seeping into my palms. My stomach flips.
Celeste’s eyes soften, but she doesn’t look away.
“I’ve never mentioned your name to her before.
Not because I didn’t believe in you. God knows, Adrienne, I believe in you more than anyone, but I wanted you to carve out your own path here.
I don't feel like I nudged you into mine.” She leans forward, her hand brushing over mine. “But this time… I thought of you.”
My breath catches. “Me? As what, an associate?”
Her smile is proud. “Junior partner.”
“Junior partner?” I repeat back to her, unsure I heard her correctly. “In LA?”
“Yes.” Her voice is calm. “It’s not something you have to want. But it’s an extraordinary offer. The kind that doesn’t come around often. Catherine is willing to talk the moment you’re ready. And Slade… Slade will always be here. Whether you try LA for ten years, or one, or not at all.”
I stare at her, my throat tightening. My aunt has always been the gold standard, the mentor I measured myself against. To hear her say this… it feels like both validation and upheaval.
Celeste tilts her head. “Adrienne, you’ve spent your whole life living up to this family name.
You’ve done it brilliantly. But I remember you in Boston during Harvard, alive with the thrill of outsmarting every professor.
I remember you in Chicago at Northwestern, debating with a fire that left whole rooms breathless.
You love the challenge. You shine when the stakes are high.
You walked across both of those stages at graduation with the highest honors. ”
My stomach sours, memories of the conversation I had with Scotty just a week or so ago coming back to me.
The way I confessed secrets to him about the standards I’ve built around myself like a cage that I’ve never said aloud to anyone, not even myself.
This is an amazing opportunity, and the Adrienne that I’ve created would kill for this chance, but something inside me continues to gnaw at me.
What if none of this is what I want?
But the second I allow myself that thought, guilt crashes over me.
“I don’t want you to wake up one day wondering if you missed your chance at something bigger, something that’s yours,” she says softly. “You deserve to at least think about it.”
I nod slowly, biting down on my bottom lip, unable to stop the swell of emotion. Flattered. Overwhelmed. Torn. Her hand squeezes mine once more before she lets go. “That’s all I wanted to say. Just… consider it.”
I can only whisper back, “Thank you. For believing in me and even considering me for an opportunity like this.”
Her eyes glisten for a second, a pretty rare sight for the impenetrable Celeste Slade, before she pulls me into a hug. Her perfume wraps around me, crisp and familiar, the same scent I clung to when I was a little girl sneaking into her office to watch her work.
For a moment, I let myself rest against her, grateful for the calm in the middle of the chaos. When she pulls back, her smile is gentler. “Now, before your uncle drives Trent and Axel insane with his hovering, I’d better go wrangle him.”
I laugh softly, the sound a little shaky. “Good luck.”
“Luck has nothing to do with it,” she winks, raising her hand and offering a playful smack through the air, “gotta keep those men in line.”
The door clicks shut behind her, and silence settles heavy around me. I’m still sitting there, mug in hand, staring blankly at the spot she’d just occupied.
Junior partner. In LA.
It doesn’t even feel real. This is the scenario I dreamt of for years. The chance to move away, prove myself outside of my Slade name, and explore a different kind of life. It’s like she cracked open a window into some alternate version of my life, and now I can’t unsee it.