The Intern: Enemies To Lovers

“Can you picture me with someone type A?” I paused. “Do you really think that would be in the best interests of your firm and the intern’s future here?”

“We’ll pair you with someone appropriate, I assure you,” Dominick voiced. “It’s a random selection, but we’ll make sure the two of you are a good fit.”

I turned my chair toward my friend. I’d never wanted to choke his ass out more than I did right now. “You mean to tell me you’re not even going to let me choose my own intern?”

He shook his head.

“Oh”-I laughed-“you’ve got fucking balls.”

The boys had known this would piss me off.

That was why they’d had me sign the contract first.

I ground my teeth. “You know, I could get you for breach of contract. Nowhere on those papers”-I stopped to point at the thick folder-“does it state anything about an intern.”

Dominick grinned, goading me. “You’re going to take me to court?”

“I might.”

“It’s a semester-that’s it,” he reminded me even though Jenner had said the same thing just moments before. “You’ll survive.”

I didn’t want a shadow.

I didn’t want to have to explain myself to anyone, especially someone who was going to test my endurance and tolerance and require so much finessing.

I wanted to come in, do my job, and have the support of an efficient, well-oiled team.

If I had wanted to become a goddamn teacher, I would have joined Professor Ward’s faculty.

I took my time glancing into each of their eyes. “Are you looking for me to say yes?”

“How about some excitement instead?” Ford joked.

“You like to test me, don’t you?”

The youngest brother adjusted his tie, smiling. “We only pick the best, top students. Our program is extremely exclusive. Whoever gets to work with you, you’re going to be changing their life, so keep that in mind.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I pushed back in my seat, rocking the leather, but it did nothing to soothe me. “You can save your pep talk. This is going to be hell, and you all know that.” An idea came to me as I continued to rock in the seat, forcing it to bounce. “You’re going to make this better by adding another clerk to my team. That way, I can get some extra help with the intern.”

“That’s not part of the deal,” Dominick said.

“Neither is the intern.”

He exhaled loudly. “You’re fucking relentless, you know that?”

Now, I could smile. “You’re going to love that about me when I’m in the courtroom, representing one of your clients, getting them exactly what I promised.” I stood from my seat and shook Jenner’s and Ford’s hands. When I reached Dominick, I continued, “I’ll see you tonight.” As I got to the doorway, I said over my shoulder, “And you’re picking up the whole fucking tab.”

SIX

HANNAH

“H

annah, the time has finally come,” my uncle said as he sat across from me in the boardroom. “On behalf of your aunt and your cousins, I’d like to offer you an internship at our firm.”

This was a moment I’d thought about for as long as I could remember. Now that I was here, I hid my hands underneath the table, clenching them together, squeezing each finger, reminding myself that this was really happening.

That I wasn’t dreaming.

That every bit of my hard work and determination had finally paid off.

My uncle, looking at me so warmly, slid a folder in my direction, stopping once the manila was within my reach.

“In there, you’ll find a description of the program, your compensation, and our commitment to you as your employer.”

Every word my uncle spoke echoed in my head.

I made it.

Of course, Oaklyn would say I should have expected this. Maybe a part of me had, but that didn’t diminish the work it had taken me to get here or how I’d strived to overachieve to show my family how badly I wanted to be a part of their firm. Not just because it was theirs, but also because it was the best.

I released my fingers, lifting them onto the table, flattening my sweaty palms against the folder. “Thank you.” I glanced at each of their smiling faces. “I’m so honored to be here, you guys.”

My aunt beamed as she said, “Your uncle and I are so tickled that you’re here. We’ve watched you achieve everything you’ve set out to accomplish-first with your undergraduate degree and now with law school. You’ve had some notable scholarly achievements, young lady, and we’re so proud of you, Hannah.”

“It’s been impressive to watch,” my uncle added. “Even though you will always have a place at the family table, you’ve earned your place here as much as your fellow interns.”

They noticed. Oh God, they noticed.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my heart. “I appreciate that, Aunt Sue and Uncle David.”

“And now, we’re throwing you straight to the wolves, so you can work your ass off again,” Ford teased.

My aunt smiled, shaking her head. “I wouldn’t have put it in those terms, but, yes, Ford is right. The next several months are going to be extremely challenging.”

Before I could respond, Dominick said, “I’m not sure how much you know about the internship program, but you’re going to be working under one of our litigators for an entire semester. We feel that’s an adequate amount of time to get an understanding of our operations. Aside from learning the ins and outs of the department, you’ll be assisting all members of the attorney’s legal team. We want to emphasize that this is a support role; you’ll be required to do everything that’s asked of you-within reason, of course.”

“In other words, if you’re told to pick up coffee, drop off dry cleaning, make reservations, book travel, do it.” Ford winked.

I could always count on him for keeping it real and spelling everything out in layman’s terms even if I didn’t need it.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Still, I couldn’t help but laugh at his reply. “Trust me, I get it, and I know what will be required of me.”

“And that sounds good to you?” Jenner asked.

It sounded like a dream.

All I wanted was a chance, and they were giving me one.

“It sounds perfect,” I told them.

“Good. Then, you won’t be offended when I tell you that we don’t play favorites in this office, nor do we give any special treatment even if you are a Dalton,” Dominick voiced, the gentleness in his tone now gone.

“I would never want you to.” I didn’t feel as though I’d said enough. My family needed to know how much I wanted to be here and what I was willing to do to stay and how I wouldn’t take a second of this for granted. “I didn’t walk into your building this morning, anticipating a red carpet or favors or for my last name to get me any kind of special privileges. I don’t want this job to be easy. I want to work my butt off, and that’s what I plan to do.” I took a breath, my stomach in knots, my hands even sweatier than before. “I don’t want anything handed to me. I want to be awarded a role because I’ve done everything in my power to earn it.” I scanned each of their faces. “I know you all have expectations of me, and my plans aren’t to meet them, but to exceed them.” I paused. “Just you wait and see.”