Read Online A Very Good Life by Lynn Steward - Free Book Online Page A

iconoclast. Richard had told him to make sure she was properly attired, so it was technically part of his responsibility to the firm. The problem was that he shouldn’t have been enjoying the task quite so much. The more serious concern was that Janice’s reference to him as an evolving “landmark” had struck a chord within him.
    Janice unexpectedly appeared from one of the fitting rooms. Wearing a blue blazer and skirt, she searched for the saleswoman to help locate a size eight. Janice wore no blouse, however, so that the partially buttoned blazer was low-cut and revealing. Glancing left and right, she attracted the attention of the Saks employee who was putting together her wardrobe and then turned to face Brett. “How do I look?” she asked, flashing an innocent smile.
    “Uh, fine,” Brett replied. He took a deep breath. Janice’s blond hair fell across the navy blazer, and thanks to the bare skin below her neck, she created a stunning image that he knew would be hard to forget. He suspected that her failure to wear a blouse had been solely for his benefit.
    The saleswoman and Janice returned to the business of choosing skirts, blazers, and business suits. An hour later, Brett was satisfied that apparel had been selected that would pass muster with the partners as well as prevent embarrassment in the courtroom. Janice’s final choice, however, caught Brett by surprise. At the last minute, she’d added a lined red trench coat to her purchases, something that was flashy and more in keeping with her California
joie de vivre
.
    Brett simply pulled out the firm’s credit card and paid for the garments at the sales counter a few yards away. He knew the coat was her way of asserting independence despite the firm’s insistence on conformity of dress, but he wasn’t going to take the bait.
    “How did I do?” Janice queried, once more dressed in her jeans and turtleneck.
    “Mission accomplished,” Brett said with little emotion, eyes lowered as he signed the receipt.
    Some outfits would need alterations, but the two litigators nevertheless carried four shopping bags between them as they headed for the front doors.
    “Hi, Brett,” said a female voice.
    Brett looked to his left to see Patti Hartlen approaching. He forced a weak smile. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Hartlen.”
    “Please, call me Patti.” She aimed her very direct gaze at Brett, Janice, and then at Brett again. “Doing a little shopping?”
    “This is Janice Conlon, our firm’s newest litigator. Janice, this is Patti Hartlen.” Brett was at a loss for words. How could he explain that he was helping another woman pick out clothes? “Did you and Jack enjoy your dinner at Cheshire Cheese last night?” he asked, groping for words to change the subject.
    “Yes, it was excellent,” Patti replied. She examined Janice carefully and then addressed Brett. “Tell your sweet wife hello for me.”
    “I certainly will,” Brett said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get to Mrs. John L. Strong’s to pick up Dana’s order for wine journals.” He thought using his wife’s name might signal that the shopping excursion was aboveboard.
    “Certainly,” Patti said. “Have a lovely day.”
    Brett smiled again and left the store, Janice following him.
    “I really need to be going,” Brett said. “I think you’re set as far as the wardrobe goes.”
    “Yes, and thanks. But I’d like to tag along if you don’t mind. Want some company?”
    “That’s very kind of you, but it’s not necessary. I can—”
    “You want me along,” Janice said. “Trust me. You may not know it, but your life just changed after those few words with . . . Patti, is it?”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Let’s go,” Janice said. “I’ll explain later.” She paused. “By the way, did you and Dana have a cozy little dinner last night?”
    Brett made no reply. Eliza Doolittle had trumped the superiority of his modern-day Henry Higgins.
    They left for the