“Oh wow, that’s it? You’re lucky Frank’s not overloading you.”
No, I’m not lucky, and Mercedes knows it. When it comes to summer associates, the busier, the better. Busy means your skills are being recognized and utilized. A bored summer associate is most likely to be one without an offer come fall, and so far, my workload has been considerably lighter than it was in litigation.
A blur whizzes past the open door, stops, and edges into the room. It’s Frank Carlson, Mercedes’s former boss and the lead attorney of the public law group—aka, my new boss. The bright overhead lights gleam off his smooth skull, highlighting what remains of his short, wispy gray hair. “There you are, Cass. Are you free for lunch today?”
My stomach bottoms out; this will be the third time I’ve flaked on Devin this week if I cancel now. But it can’t be helped. Even he would agree that saying no to a lunch invite from a senior attorney isn’t wise.
I ignore the relief fanning across my skin and stand up a little straighter. “I can be. Why?”
“One of our clients is pitching a proposal to a city council member and wants someone from Smith & Boone to attend. I’ll be there, but your eminent domain memo might come up, so I’d like you there too so you can help field questions if needed. Stellar work on that memo, by the way.”
Mercedes’s smile falters at the same time I widen mine. “Thank you. I’d be happy to join.”
He raps his knuckles against the door frame. “Good. We’re meeting at Sullivan’s Steakhouse at one o’clock. Do you want a ride?”
“No, it’s okay. I can walk.”
“Do you know where it is?”
“Just a couple blocks down the street, right? The place with the maroon awning?” The only reason I know it is because I’ve passed it every day on my way to work for the past six weeks. Realization makes my jaw tighten—it’s also right next door to the deli where Devin and I had planned to meet for lunch today.
“That’s right. I’ll see you there at one.” Frank disappears from the doorway. Everyone else has left; only Mercedes and I remain in the conference room. “I can’t believe Frank sprung this on me so last minute. Now I have to cancel my lunch plans.” Now it’s my turn to sigh dramatically.
“Did you have a hot date or something?” She sniffs.
“Well, yes, actually.”
“With the same guy you’ve been seeing?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“Do tell. Is it serious?” She blinks her wide, guileless eyes. Unease trickles through my veins.
“Not really; we’ll see. We’re just having fun for now.”
“Well, good luck. See you later.” I don’t know if she’s wishing me luck in my love life or with my lunch meeting, but before I can respond she flounces out of the room.
Shaking my head, I slip my phone out of my bag and add the time and location of my lunch meeting to my calendar, complete with an alarm set for fifteen minutes beforehand so I’m not late. Then I text Devin.
Hey, I’m SO sorry for the last-minute notice, but I can’t make it to lunch. Work stuff, UGH!
Three dots appear. Disappear. Then reappear a few seconds later.
No problem. Something came up for me too so that actually works out well.
Guilt prompts my fingers to move.
How about you swing by my place after work?
We can have dinner out, order in, whatever you want.
Sounds like a plan. I’ll text you when I get off
Clicking off my phone, I stuff it into my bag and exit the conference room. Maybe hanging out with Devin one-on-one tonight will help me sort through my feelings. Or maybe not, says a tiny voice inside my head. Guilt squirms in my chest, but there’s no time to think about that now. I have a client meeting to prep for and a boss to wow, so I’d better get to it.
Forty-five minutes later, the alarm on my phone goes off just as the printer spits out the final page of my memo. I tuck the just-in-case hard copy into my bag, make a quick detour to the restroom to touch up my makeup, and leave the office at exactly 12:51. The restaurant’s only a five-minute walk from here, so I should be on time, even at my slower-than-usual pace thanks to making the trek in heels instead of the flats I usually wear to and from work. At least the sky is overcast, a welcome change from the sunbaked weather we’ve experienced all month.
I mentally review the principal elements of eminent domain as I turn the corner onto the street where Sullivan’s is located. Eminent domain allows the state to seize an individual’s private property, but only if the property is acquired for a public use, the owner is paid the fair market value for the property, and the property’s owner receives due process.