“I was white, straight, from a solid family—and tax bracket—he assumed were his type of Christians. He figured I was one of his group—that is, opposed to anyone who wasn’t all of the above. After several weeks of trying to ignore, argue with, or block his bullshit, I told him I was bi, an atheist, my great-grandfather was Paiute, and my parents had an open marriage. He moved out, and that’s how I got along with him.”
Fascinated, Sonya paused at the door of the library. “You lied to him.”
“It was that or punch him in the face. Seeing the shock on that face was nearly as satisfying as punching it. Anyway, I got another roommate, and we got along fine.”
“Do you know where he ended up? The sanctimonious prick?”
“Never gave him another thought.”
“I believe that. I believe you have that power. Okay, come see what you think of how I’ve built your web page. It’s not ready to go live,” she told him. “I still have some additions, some tweaks, then testing, but you’ll get the feel.”
She brought it up on her screen, stepped to the side.
“It’s already a big step up, and a major change in that feel. You were right about using the offices, the house. And the colors, the font. It’s not fussy, but it’s not bland.
“I like that you’ve put the year the firm was established right up front.”
“When you’ve got a half century in business, you flaunt it. Try the Attorneys tab.”
When he clicked on it, he smiled. “Look at Ace.”
“Your mom’s in danger of becoming my go-to photographer. I had others to choose from, but this was my favorite. If there are any changes needed to the front-page text or any of the bios, just send them to me.”
“I don’t see anything so far. And here’s Deuce. It works, the casual shots. You were right again. I guess that includes me,” he said when he scrolled down.
“All three of you look relatable, accessible. The backdrops, the law books, the desk, and so on say professional. Corrine is really good.”
“I always thought so.”
“Check out the staff.”
He clicked, grinned. “Jesus, Sadie looks like she could stand on one foot and juggle. Which is what she does every day. These are great. And just enough personal details in the bios. Eddie looks so damn earnest, which he is. And…”
He stopped, roared with laughter that had the dogs racing over.
“You put Mookie on here. Look at this, Mooks, you’re a Legal Consultant.”
“I thought it added something, well, relatable again. But if it’s too much—sorry, Mookie. You’ll need to see how Ace and Deuce feel about that.”
“The ayes on it are going to be unanimous. It’s sweet, funny, and it’s also genius. You even gave him a bio.”
His reaction gave her a lift on both the personal and professional levels.
“I got the details from Lucy, since I wanted you to see it fresh.”
“There’s another word for it. Fresh.”
“You’ve got a tab for the intern program. I haven’t finished there, but I have the framework up.”
“Huh. You’ve got, what, a solid dozen previous interns, with their current situations.”
“I’m waiting on a few more. I didn’t realize you’ve had the program for nearly twenty years.”
“Started before my time. This is excellent, Sonya. Seriously blew right past my expectations.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
She showed him the design for stationery, business cards.
“Consistent, you said, and delivered.”
“Actual delivery will take another week or two, but if we get approval from the other Olivers on the letterhead and cards, Sadie could order them. And that concludes this evening’s consultation.”
She shut down her computer, then slid her arms around his waist. “I’m hoping you plan to stay.”
“I put a bag in the car, in case.”
“Why don’t you get it? Later.”
“Later works.”
And when he kissed her, the day fell away.
* * *
Eventually he went out for his bag, undressed again, and slid back into bed with her.
“Cleo’s right to be jealous.”
“Sorry?”
She tangled her legs with his. “She doesn’t have someone to curl up with. Like this.”
“Nobody back in Boston?”
“No one special. Her grandmother told her that lovers will come and go, but she’ll have only one love, and he’ll be her anchor in every storm. That’s right up Cleo’s alley.”