28|Finally Ready
Stacks of depositions, case files, and half empty coffee cups cluttered the long conference room table.
I leaned back in my chair, pinching the bridge of my nose and ignoring my headache.
Maybe crying all night in Nate's arms wasn't the best move.
Kate passed me a file. "Nate's gonna hammer this timeline. Perez's alibi is barely holding up."
I blinked as I read through the document.
We had been working on this the whole day, yet we were nowhere still.
"Well, we'll come up with something," I said as I texted my assistant to my hundredth cup of coffee.
Kate suddenly closed the file in front of me.
"Hey, I wasn't done yet," I glared at her.
"We need a break," she said.
"You need a break," I argued before opening back up the file.
"Come on, Nae," she said.
"Don't call me that," I glared at her. "You don't get to do that anymore."
She stayed quiet as my mind went back to that day.
...
June 12th.
That was the date.
I was practically glowing.
My heels clicked with confidence across the polished floors as Nate followed behind me, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back.
He hadn't said much since we got in the car this morning.
He was clearly still bitter that I didn't come to work with him at the DA's office.
"This place is ridiculous," I whispered with a grin. "Do you smell that? That's wealth, baby!"
He gave me a dry look. "It smells like elitism and overpriced coffee."
I nudged his side. "Hey, you promised you wouldn't ruin this for me."
"I'm not," he said quietly. "I just...want you to know who you are going to work for."
I brushed him off and walked ahead, my heart thudding as I neared the receptionist's desk.
I smiled at Nate one last time and he kissed me on the cheek before she led me into the conference room.
I hadn't even sat down yet before he looked at me with that apologetic expression...the one bosses only used when they're about to crush you.
"Mrs. Carter," he began. "Thanks for coming."
"Just tell me," I said, not wanting to seem rude, but not wanting to waste my time.
He sighed. "The board made a decision last night..."
My heart went faster.
"They gave the slot to someone else," he admitted and I instantly felt weak.
"What?" I asked in disbelief, my voice cracking.
"There were some concerns raised," he explained. "About your temperament and professional boundaries."
I froze. "What? How-"
Before I could even finish my sentence, my eyes landed on a familiar figure working the coffee machine outside.
Kate.
...
I hadn't realized how much I was shaking until Kate looked down at my clenched fists.
"I had to," she tried to defend herself.
"I would have never," I said with gritted.
"Yeah, you wouldn't have," she agreed. "Because you have your night in shining armour to help you with anything."
I scoffed. "You can't seriously be talking about Nate?"
"Yes, I am," she glared at me. "He made sure you got a spot here no less than two hours after you were rejected."
I clenched my jaw, knowing it was true.
"He helped you pass every exam we had in law school," she glared at me. "Giving you private lessons and practice exams."
"He made sure every professor knew your name," she continued bitterly. "Gosh, Naomi, don't you see?"
"You always had him clearing the path for you."
My hands curled into fists. "That's not true."
She scoffed. "Isn't it? You were always the favorite."
"And I was always the one standing behind you, clapping."
"I was never the favourite," I said painfully, remembering how invisible I used to feel in every room I walked in.
"I just worked twice as hard than you."
"No, you didn't," she said coldly. "Nate did and he's going to for the rest of your life."
I stared at her stunned, feeling a sharp pain in my chest.
"You betrayed me, Kate," I said, quietly. "You made me feel like I wasn't enough."
"You think I like knowing that the only reason I'm here is because of Nate?" I asked, still feeling hurt that he went behind my back to save me.
Her mouth opened, but I didn't give her a chance to speak.
"You were my best friend," I said. "But I was never yours."
The door suddenly opened before Russell appeared.
"Jeez, you two are always at it," he shook his head. "Naomi, I need you in my office ASAP."
I looked at Kate one more time before following Russell back to his office.
When he opened the door, I was stunned when I saw Harris Whitman, the co-owner of the firm, seated.
I sighed knowing exactly what this was about.
I was finally getting fired.
"You know I hate beating around the bush, Russell, so just give it to me straight," I requested.
"Okay," he simply said without a single once of remorse.
Jeez, I thought I would've mattered a little more after all these years.
"You made partner," he said.
"Okay," I nodded, not even feeling sad.
I knew it was coming. "I'll pack my-"
My body suddenly stiffened.
Wait.
"What did you just say?" I asked to verify if I was hearing the right thing.
"You're now a partner, Naomi Carter," Harris repeated. "Effective immediately."
I blinked, trying to register the words.
"I thought-but Kate-"
Harris laughed. "We reviewed your cases ever since you were reinstated and they were off the charts."
Russell smiled before hugging me. "You were too good not to make partner."
Partner.
Partner Naomi Renée Carter.
"Say something," Russell said, releasing me.
I exhaled slowly. "I-I don't know what to say."
"Try thank you," Harris smiled.
I smiled. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
"Congratulations, Partner Carter," he replied. "You earned it."
"You should give Nate a call," Russell said and Harris nodded.
"Better yet," I said. "Is it okay if I leave now? He should be home by now."
Harris gave a nod with an amused smile. "Of course. Go celebrate, I'm sure he'll be thrilled."
I hope.
I grinned, my heart racing as I rushed out the door.
...
I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I walked through the front door.
"Finally," Nate called from somewhere in the kitchen. "I need you to hold the chair steady before I break my neck."
I laughed, setting down my bag and following his sexy voice. "Is the great Nate Rhys Carter changing a light bulb?"
He stood balanced on the wobbly chair with one arm stretched towards the ceiling. "Don't mock me, Naomi. It's been out for like a week."
I stepped behind him and steadied the chair.
"Well, lucky for you, your wife just became partner at Whitman & Kane."
He froze mid-reach.
Then he slowly turned to look down at me. "You're joking."
"Nope," I laughed, probably glowing. "Harris Whitman said 'effective immediately'."
He blinked before getting off the chair. "Partner, huh?"
"Partner," I proudly confirmed and he smiled before pulling me into a gentle hug.
"Congratulations, baby," he said, kissing my cheek. "I'm so proud of you."
I was smiling so hard that it was beginning to pain.
He pulled away.
"We need to celebrate," he said, searching the kitchen drawers for something to celebrate with.
I pulled him back. "Wait."
He paused, looking at me with a raised eyebrow.
I smiled. "I know a way we can celebrate."
"What is it?" He innocently asked before I took his hand and carefully guided it into my pants, making sure his fingers brushed against my front.
His eyes instantly widened. "Oh."
I laughed. "Oh, indeed."
"But I thought you weren't ready," he asked out of concerned.
I shook my head. "I am."
After going over a year without having sex with Nate, I'm finally ready.