Tobias stood in the corner, took a sip of his champagne and watched the action. Six weeks after Genevieve had turned down his proposal he and the 200 plus employees at his firm were at a German restaurant called Schillinger's celebrating the victorious defense of one Mr. Enrique Morales in a case of alleged tax evasion. He snorted at the thought; not paying taxes was probably the least of Morales' sins. As an attorney he had no qualms about defending people, who most likely were guilty, his job was to provide a solid defense. His conscience somewhat nagged at him that he was involved in a case as an associate with someone he was pretty sure was one of a Triad of international drug dealers that reached through the Pancamo organization of New York and the Redding connection out of Jamaica. "Oh well, shit occurs" he thought dryly as he finished his third glass of champagne in a half an hour and surveyed the room looking for a server. His gaze settled on a tall, dark haired waiter dressed in the requisite "cater waiter" outfit. White shirt, black bow tie, black pants. He signaled to him with his empty glass. They were about ten paces from one another and what Toby could only describe as a smirking smile and knowing look came over the man's face. Instead of coming over to Tobias he smiled at him for a few more moments with an intense interest that made him feel slightly uncomfortable. Toby wasn't naive and could tell when someone was flirting with him, male or female. This guy was most definitely attractive and the way he stood, even surrounded by successful attorneys, he oozed confidence and smoldered with sexuality. He was the arc typical tall, dark, and handsome and even through the uniform Toby could see that he was well built and muscular and found himself faintly thinking, "Where do you work out?" The two kept their eyes locked in a dance that was not quite committed but questioning. He didn't know what the answer might have been due to Ryan O'Reily, another associate at the firm stepping into his line of view.
"Hey Beecher, what the hell's wrong with you. I've been standing here trying to get your attention. Wake up."
"Huh, what sorry. Just thinking."
"You need to get over that shit."
"What "shit" is that O'Reily?"
"This whole Genevieve thing. The bitch dumped you. After you spent all that time and money so she could paint her little heart out. So now you're in debt and have a case of the blue balls. You need to get rid of that place and get laid."
"You know Ryan, you are my most disgusting friend." He said with a little smile. "I know I ought to let it all go. But Gen and I, we're not just fuckbuddies or anything like that. I love her and know we could be happy. I just need to convince her of that."
"Are you sure it's her who needs convincing? I know loads of women who'd love to go out with you, and I'm sure would sleep with you on the first date. What about Glynn's secretary Floria or that new associate Katherine, you know she's been checking you out. Maybe even Mrs. Whittlesey. It's always better to fuck upward as opposed to down or lateral!" He said with that trademark twinkle in the eyes.
"As soon as you get over Gloria, I'll do the same with Gen." A dark look passed over O'Reily's face. Usually Ryan O'Reilly, known as the master manipulator in and out of the courtroom had women eating out of his hands. However, in the case of Gloria Nathan, the man was indeed whipped.
"C'mon Ryan. Do you think she'll ever leave her husband and just marry you? Neither of you are examples of fidelity and steadiness." His point was made as in that second a female server came up to them with a tray. Toby took a glass and watched Ryan with the woman. She wasn't pretty, plain in fact and her body wasn't the best. However, she had extremely sparkly blue eyes with a mischievous glint, not unlike Ryan's and he could pick up on the heat between them. Her name was Claire and she got off around 0100. What a coincidence because he, Ryan, knew of a late night jazz club in Georgetown where they could go and "talk", maybe have a drink, see what developed. After she had moved onto other patrons, Ryan and Toby continued as if they hadn't been interrupted, "Another thing you need to get in more face time with the bosses. You and I both know you are the best litigator at Glynn, Devlin, and Whittlesey, but you need to work on those social skills man, Harvard may get you in the door, but networking will keep you there, am I right? It's all about who you know and how you work it." Tobias hated to admit it, but it was true. He was an excellent lawyer, but found that his low-key attitude sometimes put him in the shadows of people like Ryan who just seemed to radiate confidence. Fate seemed to step in as the senior partner Leo Glynn and his wife made their way over to where he and Ryan were standing. Like everyone else at the celebration, Mr. and Mrs. Glynn had a cheerful and relaxed air about them, thanks to the champagne and other liquid libations that flowed. Ryan nudged him with a look that said, "Make a move"
"So, how are two of my best and brightest? Honey, you remember Ryan O'Reily and Tobias Beecher from the Christmas party." She greeted them cordially, if a little disinterested. As his spouse she had played this scene on numerous occasions and sometimes it was hard to feign interest.
"It's a pretty big feather in our cap, this Morales case. I think everyone involved should be proud. We gave him a defense that the "Dream Team" would be envious of." He said beaming with pride due to the complexity and maneuvering it had taken to keep Enrique Morales' hide out of prison as well as the poor house.
Tobias tried to think of something witty or interesting to say in response, but all he could manage was a half joking, "Would we really want to be compared to them?" That got him stone silence from the Glynns and a "Are you fucking nuts?" look from Ryan, who quickly defused the situation by piping up, "Sir, what I think Beecher here meant was, our case was totally based on the hard, dry facts of the case. Nothing flashy and no show business angle. Just hard work." He finished flashing his famous Irish smile. Glynn looked a bit skeptical, but in the end took a sip of his scotch, slapped O'Reily on the shoulder and led his wife off to another group.
"What was that?" Ryan asked shaking his head.
"I thought he might appreciate a little humor regarding the subject." Tobias replied a bit helplessly.
"He's the boss, why would you think that. Next time just call his wife fat and kick him in the balls."
Toby just shrugged his shoulders. "I'll see you later, I need a drink", he said looking for the waiter from earlier, spying him serving a drink to Katherine McClain he made his way over to the other man. As he approached the man turned in his direction and gave him that half smirk/half smile once more which despite himself he returned in kind. Up close Tobias saw that he possessed midnight blue eyes that appraised him quickly, the smile broadening a bit more which Toby automatically returned as if by instinct. "Drink sir?" Of course he didn't just ask, more like a purr. "Thanks." Toby said licking his lips and taking a quick sip. Suddenly he was very thirsty; thoughts of Genevieve's rejection, his money problems and career progression were pushed aside by this man who looked at him as if he were a cool, glass of ice water on a hot summer day. He couldn't honestly say that he was altogether bothered by it, which in itself did bother him. Before he could say anything else, Claire beckoned to the waiter who with a slight rising of the brow and that same beautiful smile, that seemed to say "later" he made his way towards her. He felt a twinge of disappointment. He didn't have time to dwell though, because Katherine who had been talking with one of the other partners, Diane Whittlesey, took him softly but firmly by the arm and pulled him into a discussion regarding the intricacies of Internet law.
Go to next part.