Zara felt sick to her stomach. It was just her luck that her very first entertainment law case with a real-life celebrity had to be against the man who had introduced her to the client in the first place—the man who claimed he loved her. How could she betray Jay by turning that kindness back on him? And how could she act against J-Tech knowing that the company couldn’t afford to get involved in a lawsuit? It would be the end of Jay’s dream.
On the other hand, a high-profile lawsuit would secure her future in the firm and give her a foot in the door to the entertainment industry.
“How do you know Jay?” she asked, stalling for time. “I thought you two were friends.”
“Our moms went through cancer treatment at the same time at the same hospital.” He put his hat back on, tucking a few rogue curls under the band. “You get to know the people supporting the people when you’re there all the time. He told me if I ever needed security for an event, I should give him a call. So that’s what I did. After the filming was done, I offered to host the wrap party because I heard Keanu Reeves does that kind of thing and I fucking love Keanu.”
She nodded in agreement. “Who doesn’t?”
“I called in that favor from Jay and he set it up. I said no phones, cameras, or recording equipment. The A-listers always have that rule, and since I’m going to be A-list one day, I try to live my life like an A-lister would.”
“That makes sense.”
Bob’s puffy jacket rustled as he sat back in his chair, one skinny ankle crossed over his knee. “He wouldn’t have let a camera slip through if I was A-list. His reputation would be ruined just like mine has been ruined.” He slammed his fist on the arm of his chair. “Well, fuck him. And fuck his company. And fuck whoever took those pictures. I’m going to sue them all and you’re going to help me because you’re fierce like a tiger.” He roared so loudly Zara jumped in her chair.
Moments later Janice flung the door open. “What the hell?”
“Everything is fine.” Zara took a breath to calm her racing pulse. “Mr. Smith is just enthusiastic about our firm mascot.”
“Whew.” She gave a sarcastic smirk and wiped a hand over her brow. “I thought there was an animal in here.”
“I’m a method actor,” Bob said, puffing out his chest. “It’s understandable how you got confused. I spent a few hours this morning watching tiger shows and practicing the roar before I came here so I could understand your firm better.”
“That’s true dedication to the craft.” Janice’s voice dripped sarcasm, and Zara could sense more coming.
“We’re all good here,” she said firmly. “You can go.”
“Does he do lions? Can he pounce?”
“Thank you, Janice. Close the door, please, on your way out.”
“So how do we start?” Bob asked. “Do you want me to sign things? Do you need a retainer or something like that? I’m gonna make sure it hits the press the minute we file. If I’m going down, I’m taking J-Tech with me. This is going to be a big case for you. Huge. You’re lucky I saw you at the City Club the other day, or another lawyer would have gotten the case.”
Something niggled at the back of her mind. “I might have a conflict of interest,” she said, thinking quickly. Maybe she wouldn’t have to make the decision. Maybe it had already been made for her thanks to the Rules of Professional Conduct. “I can’t represent you if there’s any appearance of impropriety, and Jay and I—”
“Are you guys together?”
“Well . . . no.” Because he’d told her he loved her and she’d run out the door. Because she’d realized she loved him and had no idea what to do with that. Or how to fix what she’d broken.
“So, what’s the problem?”
Zara shifted in her seat. “We were . . . sort of . . . involved. For a short time. It wasn’t serious . . .”
At least not to me.
“Ah. Bad breakup. I get it.” Bob grinned. “So this is perfect. It’s the ultimate revenge. He introduced you to me and now you’re going to sue his ass.”
She gave him a tight smile. Regardless of how badly she wanted this case, she didn’t think she could betray Jay by taking Bob on as a client and turning around and suing his ass.
“I definitely came to the right place.” Bob rubbed his hands together. “The tiger says it all. Fierce. Predatory. Powerful. Prince of the jungle. The other firms I visited were boring. All dark suits and solemn faces. None of them would dress up for a zombie party. They don’t understand the industry like you do. They don’t understand this.” He pointed to a framed picture of a tiger on the wall. “The killer instinct.”