Legal Prejudice 2 - Weather The Storms

Chapter 54

Chris Walsh had been at Hunter Russell Moore just over a week. Having turned forty he was conscious he'd needed to step up career wise to have any chance of making full partner. Allie had been handing over as much of her small and medium firm work as she could and in between she was finishing off cases that were reasonably close to completion. Chris ran his hand through his dark blond hair waiting for Allie in the kitchen area, chatting to Amanda. Daniel had waited for Allie in the parking garage and they came into the office together, stopping off at Allie's office to drop her stuff. They crossed to the kitchen and Daniel said, "Morning" and grabbed two mugs for him and Allie. Chris cleared his throat, "I've already got one for you Allie." Max arrived as Dan replaced a mug in the cupboard and turned and gave Allie a small smile. As they walked off Daniel couldn't help notice Chris placing a hand on the small of her back and Allie flinching. Max followed his gaze and narrowed his eyes. He nodded towards the shelf, "Hey Dan, grab that cup and get one for me yeah." Daniel poured and passed him the coffee and Max said, "Don't worry Dan, the New York meeting is in the diary so we'll start prepping for that." Daniel nodded and went into his office.

Allie put her mug down on the table and grabbed her laptop. Chris made her feel slightly uneasy. He was pleasant enough, very confident, but as with anyone new she came across, Allie was acutely aware that he would almost certainly seen the programme about them, even though he'd never made any mention of anything relating to it. He was also just a little too familiar for Allie, especially since he was well aware she was engaged to Daniel. At the back of her mind she was thinking she just had to navigate another week or so and she'd be working on the Aquatech deal and Chris would be flying solo.

She was running through a case relating to a client they were due to see in the afternoon when she saw a notification that Max had set up a meeting on Aquatech prep for later in the day. Chris spotted it and saw her face light up. He nudged her shoulder and asked, "What's the story with this Aquatech then?" Allie smiled, "It's a really interesting one. It's a tech platform company and they're acquiring a business here in California but they are also looking to acquire a complex fintech group in the UK. Anyway, best get on with running you through this one so we're ready for later today."

When they finished she stood up as a signal the session was over and Chris mirrored her but said, "I was wondering if you guys are going for a drink after work on Friday?" Allie smiled replying, "There may be some people you can persuade but me, Dan, Robyn and Max have a charity dinner with Robyn's husband this Friday so we won't be around." Chris stood blocking the door, "Are there any tickets left? I could come along, bring a couple of the others." Allie thought this was a great example of why she found Chris slightly uncomfortable to deal with, she felt he was pushy. She said, "I believe it's sold out. Sorry Chris, I need to catch up with Daniel about this meeting, can I just come past?" He opened the door, but positioned himself so Allie had to squeeze past him.

Daniel was on the phone but he beckoned her in. He finished off within a couple of minutes and stood up noticing the slight uneasiness on her face. He came from behind the desk and slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her in and kissing her tenderly. "You okay Allie honey?" She leaned into the space between his shoulder and neck and breathed him in gratefully before lifting her head up, "Yeah, just looking forward to getting this handover done." Daniel lifted her chin gently so he could look her in the eye, "Allie, has Chris done anything to upset you?" She shook her head, "No, Dan, no. Promise. I just don't know him and he acts like I do, makes me wary, do you know what I mean? But he hasn't done or said anything untoward, it's just me." Daniel sighed and held her tightly, "It's not you beautiful, he makes me uneasy too." Allie said, "I think he just really wants to make an impression. Anyway, I saw Max put the meeting in later today on Aquatech, just wondered if I needed to do anything ahead of that." Daniel kissed her and shook his head "No, you've got clients to see and you've had the structure charts. Let's get out of here for lunch yeah?" Allie smiled and nodded, "I'd really like that. Give me a shout when you're ready. I'd better go finish off prepping for this client meeting. Love you." She squeezed the hand he was holding and left.