“I met with Malaburn today about heading up the associate mentoring committee with him. He’s such an asshole, but still he said—out of the blue—that I was too effervescent to make partner. And this after I just came up with this novel legal argument on our last case. I was hoping now he would support me for partner.”

“You do realize that’s total bullshit. First of all, they should be happy to have someone who is happy and bubbly, if that’s what he meant—good for the clients and good for the firm culture. I thought that’s one of the reasons you were recommended for this committee.”

“I’ve no idea. Maybe he was warning me that I come across as air-headed.”

“That’s ridiculous. You never come across as air-headed.”

“Hmm,” she said. “Maybe I need to wear my hair in a bun.” Like Colette. Maybe that was the secret signal of seriousness.

“Don’t let them change you,” he said earnestly, holding her tightly. “It’s not worth it. You don’t need to change.”

She grinned. “Can I quote you on that?”

“Seriously, don’t listen to him. You need to be true to yourself in your job. You need to be who you are and not live up to some image.”

“Funny, when you first told me you were in marketing, I thought you’d be concerned about appearances.”

“No. I like music marketing because I really believe in the bands and their albums. I want them to succeed.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Sometimes it’s about creating an image, but to work, it has to be true to them.”

“My ex-boyfriend said that I’d never make partner because I was too nice.”

“Your law school boyfriend?”

“No, my boyfriend three years ago. He didn’t make partner, and then he said I would never make partner because I was too nice.” Her voice wavered.

“That’s a damning indictment of law firm culture, not you. Being nice should be an asset. It should help you make partner.”

Her brain froze. I am right to be nice. It should help. And if not, it is their mistake. Biscuit rolled over, exposing his belly. Audrey stretched out next to Biscuit, breathing in his doggy smell and rubbing his belly, feeling the soft fur underneath her hands.

Jake sat down on the couch, next to where she was lying on the floor. “My dad always says that you have to watch out for the soul-suckers in corporate life.”

“Who are those?” She sat.

“The people who don’t have a life and don’t want you to have one, either.”

“But I thought you felt that your dad works too much.”