“I think it would be best.”
I shook my head. “I can’t do that.”
“You can,” he pressed.
“Then I should say I won’t do that. I stand by her claims. She was wrongfully terminated. Someone has to hold the senator accountable.”
“Then let the Justice Department do that. I’m sure a high-end firm would love the publicity.”
I sighed with exasperation. “That’s exactly what Lana doesn’t want. She needs an advocate who has nothing to gain. Nothing financial. Nothing but pursing the purity of the law. And that’s what I intend to do.”
He huffed. “I had a feeling you would say that.”
“You did?”
He nodded. “I really wanted to make sure you were fully committed.”
“I am. Fully.”
We started to walk back toward the clinic. “Then, I’d like to offer my assistance.”
I was shocked. “For a case you want me to drop?”
“It’s not that I want you to drop it, it’s that if you do drop it life would be simpler for all of us. But I haven’t been teaching and practicing law for this many years to turn down a monumental moment. I’d like to be in on it, if you’ll have me.”
“Oh my God, yes. Of course. I’d love to have help. Your help.”
“Great.” He smiled. “We can schedule a briefing for tomorrow.”
I nodded. “Absolutely.”
I climbed the stairs.
“See you tomorrow, Elliot.”
I suddenly felt as if I had a full arsenal at my disposal. Max Harrison was a brilliant legal mind. And he was now on our team. I needed to call Lana and let her know. This changed everything.
By the time I reached the top of the third floor I had already forgotten everything that happened at work today.
I saw the door. It came rushing back. The way my hands splayed against the planes. How Vaughn had held me with his body. I stared at it for a moment, not quite ready to put my keys in the lock.
That door reminded me I had gone somewhere I had never thought possible. I never would have explored that part of myself without Vaughn.
It drove me crazy that I didn’t know where he was or when he’d be back.
I turned the key in the door and walked inside.
The apartment was dark. I turned on a few lights before pouring a glass of wine. I knew it was too cold to sit on the rooftop. Maybe with a heater and a blanket, but I wasn’t feeling adventurous. Instead I felt tired and cranky. I wanted wine and the couch. No, what I really wanted was Vaughn.
I pulled a blanket over my legs, letting my body sink into the cushions.
The door barged open and Greer wrestled a file box through the apartment.
“Do you need help?”
She dropped everything in front of her room.
“No. It would be nice if I didn’t have to lug this shit back and forth to work.”