Free The Green Line by E. C. Diskin Page B

easily a basis for a suit, from what I recall. Do you think they can get it kicked out?”
    “No. I’m sure they don’t think so, either. They’re just stalling and trying to run up our client’s costs.”
    “Of course.”
    “Now here’s the good news. I just came from Peter’s office and he suggested that I ask you to take a stab at opposing counsel’s motion. Pull up his cited cases, see what we can do to chop up their brief.”
    Abby grabbed a pen and paper. “Sure. What’s your time line?”
    “Well, we need to get a draft response together by next week so we can discuss what we need with the client. How’s your schedule?”
    “I’m busy, but I can make time. I’ll take a look at it tomorrow.”
    “Great. Thanks, babe.” She didn’t even bother to cringe at the “babe.” She was used to it and it was the least of her problems right now. There was no way she could turn him down. She wasn’t even sure Peter had suggested bringing the work to her. Neil had a way of pawning off grunt work. But at this point it didn’t matter. She needed to get Peter back in her corner.
    Neil’s five-foot-five frame stood to leave. He gestured to the flowers on his way out, now wilting in the vase, and teased like a fourth grader, “Nice flowers, Ms. Donovan. Perhaps they’re from Officer Friendly?”
    “Ugh. Get out of here!”
    He saluted her, like his mission was complete, and laughed aloud as he walked away.
    Abby looked at the flowers. The water was starting to darken and a few petals had fallen to her desk. She couldn’t toss it.
    She turned back to her mounds of files and the forty new e-mails and searched for Steve Prince’s number.
    THREE hours later, Abby had finished the deposition for Amro, talked to her pissed-off client, and successfully checked a few things off her to-do list. It felt good to lose herself in the tasks.
    “Time for a pop-in?” Sarah queried from the door.
    Abby knew she shouldn’t break her rhythm, but she couldn’t forget this was a big day. “Always for you, girlfriend. Come, sit. So, are you excited?”
    Sarah sat on the edge of the chair. “Are you kidding—I’m freaking out. It’s my last day! Tomorrow, spa treatments with my sister and mom. Friday, we pick up the dress and check on the details, and then Saturday! I’ve been looking up things to do on the island all morning. I just don’t know if I’ll ever come home.”
    “Please do. I couldn’t last a day here without you. Just having to be here two weeks without you is going to be a bear.”
    “Come on. You mean that you won’t replace your lunch buddy immediately? Maybe Neil is free?”
    “Ha ha. We had a nice little chat this morning. I’ve got to do some work with him—for Peter. He talks to me like I’m working for him. Anyway, I think I’ll be eating lunch at my desk until you come back to me.”
    Sarah returned the conversation to the wedding. “Do you know what you’re wearing?”
    “Actually, I haven’t decided, but I’ve got a pretty good selection at home.”
    Abby had been to eight weddings in the last two years. It seemed everyone she knew was getting married. Even thinking about why she had so many dresses led her to think of David, which made her want to think of other things. She turned the focus back to Sarah.
    “I’m so excited to see you in your dress and see this shindig in action. It’s going to be spectacular. Your mom really knows how to throw a party.”
    Sarah laughed. “I know she’s a little over the top, but hopefully, we only do this once, right?”
    “Yeah, I just hope I get to say hello to you. With four hundred guests, you might be tough to spot!”
    “Well, you know that at least two hundred of those people will be over fifty. Just keep the visual for the young ’uns. And of course, I’ll be in the big white dress! You’ll see a few cool people from the firm who you can hang with.”
    “Got it. I’m kidding, you know. It sounds like a fairy tale. I