20|Shark
"They look okay," Kate said flatly as she flipped through the printed memos.
I stood in front of her desk, jaw tight, hands neatly clasped in front of me like I hadn't done most of the actual legal strategy on this client for over a year.
"Okay?" I repeated, trying to keep my voice calm.
She finally glanced up, giving that condescending smile of hers.
"Yeah. They're clean. Basic," she said as she tossed the file onto her stack like it was junk mail. "I'll have Mia tighten up the language before it goes to the client."
Mia, the second-year associate who couldn't even find a precedent without Westlaw's search filters.
"Right," I said, my jaw locking.
She leaned back into her seat. "Don't take it personal, Naomi. I'm just trying to make sure my client gets the best service."
I tried my best, but I couldn't stay quiet for the life of me.
"Your client?"
She dropped her smile. "Yes, my client. Did you forget again that you lost to Nate and got demoted?"
"You must be really enjoying this," I said bitterly and her smile returned.
"You know I am," she proudly said, and I couldn't take it anymore.
"Fuck you," I snapped at her.
"Maybe I'll make Nate fuck me next," she proudly replied. "Seems like he's got a thing for humiliating you and putting you in your place."
She laughed. "Does he even like you?"
"You pitied him into dating you in law school and you pitied him into marriage," she said. "That's sad."
I stood there hurt, stunned, my heart pounding so loud I knew she heard it.
"You're disgusting," I hissed.
She stood up. "No, I'm just ambitious. Something you used to be before you got...soft."
I watched her in disbelief.
She used to be my best friend on earth.
She used to be the only one I actually gave a shit about.
The one I would rather die for than to see her hurt.
"Soft?" I asked as my heart ached. "I lost my daughter, Kate."
"My baby," I tried to continue, but my voice ached too much.
That wiped the smirk off her face, but I didn't want her pity.
I quickly walked out and rushed to my office, packing up my stuff as quickly as I could.
There was a sudden knock on my door before I turned to see Russell.
"In a rush?" He asked and I picked up my bag as I started making my way to the door.
"Yeah," I replied coldly. "I quit."
He blinked. "You what?"
I stopped before passing him.
"I'm done," I said, sharper now. "I'm not going to keep letting this place humiliate me while you pretend it's some kind of lesson in resilience."
"Naomi-" he began, but I quickly cut him off.
"No," I cut in. "I gave this firm everything. Years of my life, my talent, my marriage, my damn sanity."
"And when I needed grace, you gave me shame," I angrily said. "When I needed space, you gave me Kate."
"I could've worked at any law firm I wanted, but I chose you because I trusted you," I angrily said. "I believed in you."
He sighed quietly.
"Naomi..." he said again, more carefully this time. "I came to tell you...you're reinstated."
My eyes widened.
"Back as a full attorney. Your title. Your files. Your desk. Effective immediately."
I stood there stunned.
"I wasn't trying to humiliate you," he continued. "I was trying to wake you up."
"I know you're a great lawyer, probably our best one," he continued. "But I can't have you freezing up in court whenever it comes to Nate."
"That's not sustainable. Not for you, not for the firm, and certainly not for our clients."
That's...fair.
He smiled. "I wasn't punishing you."
"I was giving you the chance to remember who the hell you are," he said. "You're Naomi Carter, act like it."
I found myself smiling.
"So if you're ready to be her again, come to my office," he said. "We have a case to prep."
...
I hummed happily as I rubbed cocoa butter into my legs, the soft music filling the room like a gentle hug.
I felt light.
Russell and I only had an hour to prep for our case and we still won.
I smiled when I remembered the look of annoyance Prosecutor Robert gave me afterwards.
The door suddenly opened and Nate walked in sighing as he dragged off his tie.
He paused when his eyes landed on me looking so relaxed and happy.
For a long moment, he just quietly watched me.
Then he cleared his throat before looking away as he headed to his side of the room.
"In a good mood?" He asked as he began to take his shirt off.
"Uh huh," I smiled as I hopped out of bed and went to his side.
He looked down at me, a small smirk forming on his lips. "And why is that?"
I smiled wider. "Russell reinstated me today."
He didn't seem surprised, so I took a step back.
"You didn't have anything to do with it, right?" I asked, knowing him.
He remained quiet, and my heart began to race.
"Nate."
He straightened as his smirk faded. "I didn't."
"You swear?" I pressed.
"I swear," he repeated, and I relaxed a little.
"Good," I said softly. "Because I need to know that I earned it."
He stepped closer, his hands coming up gently to cradle my face, his thumbs brushing against my cheeks.
"You did," he said, his tone sweeter than usual. "I'm really proud of you, Shark."
That made me pause, my lips tugging into a slow smile as the memory hit me.
...
The law school library was almost empty.
It was almost twelve and I hadn't made a dent in my workload.
Suddenly, the guy I met the other night paused before making his way to the exit.
"Burning the midnight oil again, Carter?" He teased.
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Feels more like drowning."
"You're not drowning. You're a shark."
I blinked at him, confused. "A what?"
"A shark," he repeated. "You're always circling, always hunting for a weak spot. You never give up, no matter how tough it gets."
I couldn't help, but laugh. "That sounds...kind of badass."
"Exactly," he said. "I've seen lots of students. You're different."
"You've got that rare fire," he ended and I looked at him, feeling a massive flutter in my stomach.
"From now on," he added. "You're Shark. Deal?"
I nodded, a shy smile tugging at my lips. "Deal."
...
At this point, I was grinning to death.
"I'm going to beat your ass in court, next time," I promised him.
"Ha," he confidently said. "I'd like to see you try."
His eyes sparkled with that annoying confidence that I just loved so much.
"I'm serious," I said, still smiling. "You won't know what hit you."
He leaned in just a little, his tone becoming softer. "I don't doubt that for a second, Shark. You've always kept me on my feet."
My body remained frozen as I watched him.
Another kiss won't hurt, would it?