"Stick together"

There were a lot of really impressive figures here. Investment from any of them would mean lots of income for the company. You would be able to expand and maybe even move out of the cramped office everyone was in. Still, you had little idea on how to go about that.

You and Dillon had shown up together, but most of the men that approached you seemed far more interested in her than they did you. That was, until, a mature woman with auburn hair approached you. You immediately knew who she was: Dani Jensen — one of the biggest lawyers in New York. She had her own firm that handled only the most high-end of cases.

"Well, you must be Aubrey's pet project," Dani smirked and took a sip of her wine. "She has talked quite a bit about you."

You cleared your throat, "hopefully good things."

"Oh, very good things. She's positioned you as one of the better lawyers in the state— perhaps even the country. I've only caught some recordings of your cases, but I would love to see what you can do in person." She pressed her finger to your collar before letting it slide down. "Truth be told, I knew you were coming. I would like to talk to you about some things a little later, so don't go anywhere." She winked at you and then walked off, her hips swaying rather overtly.

She was powerful in both words and stature. You were surprised you'd managed to **** out what you did.

"Well that was rude," Dillon said, her hands on her hips as she watched Dani walk away. "She didn't even acknowledge me."

"I wish she'd been more focused on you than me," you admitted, clearing your throat. "That's the kind of person who can make or break your career. I'd rather be under the radar than in her sights." You were trying to help Dillon's confidence, but you were also trying to calm yourself down. It was one thing for people to be interested in the practice, but it was another for them to take a keen interest in you.

"Really?" Dillon looked up at you, confused, but also slightly encouraged.

"Yea. She's from a firm that could swallow ours whole and we wouldn't even be able to fight back. Kinda wish she didn't even know my name." You pulled in your collar a bit; it suddenly felt a bit stuffy. "If she's acknowledging you, she either sees you as an opportunity or a threat. You managed to skate under her radar. Me? Not so much."

"Well, let's take your mind off of her," Dillon smiled sweetly. She reached up and kissed your cheek before taking your hand. "There are plenty of other people around here that we can bump shoulders with and impress."

Her encouragement brought a smile to your face. You knew she was nervous; probably more nervous than you were. Still, she was making an effort. You couldn't let her down now! You took a deep breath and built up your resolve. "You're right. Thanks, Dillon." You turned to her and kissed her lips. "I mean it. Really. I don't know what I would do if you weren't here with me."

"Well, you're stuck with me for a while month, Mr., so you better get used to it!" She winked as the pair of you started walking. Your heart felt like it was about to burst. Just being next to her threatened to send you over the edge. You were wading in a pool of love and you only wanted to go deeper.

The pair of you were stopped by an older gentleman. You knew who he was the moment you laid eyes on him. "Gerald Guess." He stuck out his hand. Dillon had her arm around your left, so you shook with your right.

"John Doe," you replied with a firm handshake. Another massive player in the industry.

"I couldn't help but notice the two of you. Are you newlyweds? You seem to enjoy each other's company." He winked at you, though you could see his eyes running all over Dillon's body.

"Oh, we've... been together for a while. We met at the firm we're at now, actually." You offered a gentle correction. You weren't going to saying that she wasn't your wife, especially since the two of you had been kissing and holding each other. That certainly wouldn't look good to the other people around.

"It's so good to see a husband and wife working together in the same industry. I'd be careful, if I were you; you never know who might snatch her up," he laughed and extended his hand to her. "And you are?"

"Dillon Doe," she said brightly. She loved the way the words left her mouth. They felt so right. She had to admit that she had been nervous. Not just about the conference, but about being here with you. She understood your hesitation, but she also knew what she wanted. Her biggest obstacle wasn't Tegan; it was the feeling of selfishness she had when it came to you.

The pair of you had been acquaintances/coworkers/friends for a while now. She'd had small thoughts here and there about you, but until the storm, she'd never taken the time to think on or develop them. Now that she was here with you, seeing you in your element, she couldn't help but feel that this was right. "No more hesitation, Dillon. I'm going to show him that we should be together!"

"He's a great lawyer," Dillon said, squeezing your arm. "When he's in the courtroom and laying into the opposition, it's like watching a movie! He's so good in there!" She kissed your cheek again, the warmth spreading down your face. You knew your cheeks were red. They had to be.

"Sounds like your wife thinks very highly of you," Gerald replied.

"Sir," you looked at him with a confidence that shocked even yourself, "I'm the lucky one here. I wouldn't be able to do any of what I do without her. She's so organized and efficient; she knows how to handle herself both in and out of the courtroom... Our firm would be a mess without Dillon. That's one of the reasons I love her."

Gerald couldn't help but laugh, "the two of you are quite the pair. Well, I'll be keeping an eye out for the both of you moving forward. Perhaps we can arrange some sort of collaboration between our two firms. Family is incredibly important, especially in this line of work and seeing the two of you together gives me hope." He shook your hand once again and walked off.

You finally let the breath you'd been holding in escape. Dillon made you feel like a superhero; you were fearless with her around. But more than that, you wanted to be the person she saw you as. "Did you mean that?" She asked, albeit a bit quietly.

"Yes." You did not even need to think about it. If you were building a case for Dillon in your heart, it was starting off strong. It was her turn to blush now. It seemed the night was off to a good start.