Page 99 of Miss Understanding

“Ah, Liam Davenport, how nice to see you again.”

“It’s nice to see you again, too, sir.” My gaze traveled to Phil, and he looked pleased, which made me anxious. Thankfully, my years of being a litigator enabled me to keep a poker face

“Phil and I were discussing how much money you’ve brought in for the firm the last few years. And with the Stephen Walsh case, you’re due to top our expectations this year. Well done.”

“Thank you. Much appreciated.” I accepted the compliments instead of deflecting them as I usually did. I’d worked my ass off for years, and I needed to feel as if I’d earned the respect given to me. But old habits were hard to break.

We took seats in Phil’s sitting area, with Gerald and Phil on either side of the couch and me in the ornate wingback chair.

“You know what I admire most about your career, Liam?” Gerald asked.

“No, sir, what is that?”

“You haven’t let anything get in the way. You’re not out chasing skirts, you’re not home changing diapers, you even managed to work through your bereavement leave. All that demonstrates you are purely focused on the prize.”

“And what’s the prize?” Did I dare ask? Did I dare get my hopes up to think my biggest dream was about to come true?

“Your name on the doors of this firm, of course. You want it, don’t you?”

I didn’t bother to be coy. “More than anything.”

“Good. That’s what I wanted to hear. It comes with sacrifice, of course. If you think you don’t have a personal life now, well, hold on for the ride. You definitely won’t have one if you become a named partner. In addition to the trial work you’d continue to do, you’d also need to represent the firm. As you may have heard, Alan Lowry isn’t in the best health lately. And I’m getting up there, too. We want young blood to invigorate the brand. And I think Lowry, Anderson, and Davenport has an excellent ring to it.”

It certainly did. This was why I hadn’t cut back my hours when I’d made equity partner. This was why I’d sacrificed sleep and a personal life.

Shit. I briefly thought of Kendall, but pushed her from my mind. This moment wasn’t about her. It wasn’t about our relationship. And it certainly wasn’t about choosing. There was no choice. I wanted to see my name on the door every day when I walked in. That’s what I’d always wanted. “I would be honored.”

“We have a board to convince. But with me being the head of it, and Phil agreeing with my mindset, I think we’ll have a majority vote next month. I’d like you to meet with the head of the executive committee tomorrow in Chicago. Leonard Smith. Can you be there?”

I’d have to rearrange the flight I’d intended to take home to Virginia tomorrow. But I’d do it. “Of course. I’ll fly out tonight if possible.”

“Good. See, you’re already in the mindset of named partner. The firm always comes first.”

Chapter Forty-Seven

Kendall

After walking the three blocks to my gynecologist’s office, I signed in and took a seat. I tried not to let what Liam had said yesterday affect me—about not wanting to give up using condoms. It made sense; the double birth control would be better protection. However, my motivation to avoid getting pregnant was because I was waiting for the right time. His motivation centered around never. The whole thing was a reminder he hadn’t changed his mind about having a family.

The thought was disheartening since I was already in love with him. But the thought of breaking up with him and not having him in my life was even more depressing. Still—did I want to stay in a relationship hoping he’d change? It wasn’t fair to expect it. But while my head could be logical, my heart was busy trying to convince myself it was possible he’d change his mind. Hadn’t he done so already about not wanting a relationship? It was enough to cause a headache for sure.

Once my name was called, I stood up and followed the nurse to the back into the exam room.

“We’ll do your annual exam, but do you have any concerns?” the doctor asked when she came in. She was someone I’d found through a recommendation when I’d first started working downtown.

“No concerns, but I’d like to go on some sort of birth control.”

She gave me a warm smile. “Certainly. Were you thinking about the pill or the shot?”

“Probably the pill if it means I don’t have to come in as often.”

“I have one I’d recommend which is a low dose of hormone.” She went on to explain some of the benefits and possible side effects, also warning about the loss of effectiveness if I was on antibiotics. “Any questions?”

“No, it all sounds good.”

“Excellent. We’ll test the urine for pregnancy, then I’ll do your exam and write your prescription.”

Sounded fine to me. Only when she came back ten minutes later, she wasn’t smiling. She wore a concerned-mother face.