After running the gauntlet, I sit at my desk and take a deep breath.

Within seconds, Michael swoops into my office and closes the door. “Heads up before we go into the morning meeting: The EQs are wondering if they should take some work off your plate.”

The EQs, or equity partners, are at the top of our law firm’s hierarchy. Unlike Michael, who’s a non-equity partner, they actually own the firm and make the important decisions—such as which senior associates they’ll invite to join their ranks.

I take a sip of coffee as though I’m unconcerned by the intel. Nothing could be further from the truth, though. “Why did that even come up?”

“As expected, the canceled wedding hit the rounds,” Michael says. “They’re thinking you’re probably bummed about it and need a little time to regroup. Olney said she wanted to be more sensitive to associates’ needs. Per usual, Henderson doesn’t give a shit. He also complained that you’ve been doing a bunch of work for that pro bono clinic at Georgetown, and if anything, that stuff should go first.”

Christ. We’re six weeks away from partnership decisions, and this is the state of play: Olney thinks I’m emotionally distraught; Henderson isn’t impressed with my workload. They’re looking for go-getters, dealmakers, and client magnets, not people who need their hands held when a romantic relationship goes sour, or worse, people who don’t pull in their fair share of business. “As much as I hate to admit it, Henderson’s right. I’m fine. And they shouldn’t give a shit about my private life. One way or another, I’ll make that clear to them.”

“Well, you may get a chance to do just that,” Michael says with a sly smile.

“You’re so fucking shady, and I appreciate it with every fiber of my being. What do you know?”

He scoots to the edge of his seat and leans forward. “A couple of months ago, a headhunter contacted us about an associate who’s considering a lateral move to the DC area. Her name is Kimberly Bailey. Word is, her partner is interviewing for artist-in-residence programs in the DMV area. Bailey’s a dream candidate: top-tier law degree, law review, a federal clerkship, 30 Under 30 in Atlanta Law Magazine, the whole shebang. She’s the fish we never expected to catch.”

That’s an understatement. Lawyers with a pedigree like Kimberly’s don’t usually leave their firms, not when partnership is on the table. But a relocation, especially for family reasons, is a solid justification that doesn’t raise red flags with prospective employers.

Michael gives me a Grinch-who-stole-Christmas grin. “There’s more, though. The headhunter didn’t mention this, but Henderson knows from his own sources that her father is Larry Bailey, general counsel of Baxter Media Group.”