Page 113 of Gold Rush

Lloyd is listening intently.

I’m not surprised he’s impressing. Perry shares obvious similarities with the CEO. He’s self-made, paying his own way through college and university. If Julian was ever generous enough to offer his sibling money, Frank was too proud to accept the handout. I used to think I was the lucky one, being born to the wealthier brother. Now I think the opposite. What I always interpreted as envy on Perry’s part? I’m beginning to wonder how much of that was projected as I grew older and realized Perry was wealthier in different ways. His dad flew to New York just to see him. The only time Julian visited me in Boston was for the graduation ceremony.

The men at the table all stand, each of the lawyers shaking hands with Lloyd before walking this way. Perry is nodding along to something one of his colleagues whispers to him before he spots me. Surprise flashes across his face before he continues toward the elevators and where we’re standing.

I speak first. “Good afternoon, Perry.”

“Flynn. Hey. Good to see you.”

Jay glances between us. “Harvard classmate, Flynn?”

“Ah, no,” Perry answers first. “I was part of the ninety-three percent that was rejected.”

I had no idea Perry had applied to Harvard for law school. I wasn’t in the mindset to ask for advice from anyone, let alone the cousin I’d never been close with. He got rejected, then watched Julian ensure I was admitted.

“Perry went to Northwestern,” I state. “Which is also top fifteen.”

More surprise appears on Perry’s face.

“That’s where my brother went,” Jay comments. “He loved it.”

Perry nods. “I did too.”

“Here are your waters.” The same woman from before reappears with two glass bottles that she hands to me and Jay. “Lloyd is ready to start whenever you are.”

“Great.” Jay glances at me. “Ready?”

I nod.

“Good to see you, Flynn,” Perry says.

He continues toward the elevators, where his coworkers are waiting for him.

I spin, impulsively asking, “Want to grab a drink sometime?”

Perry glances back, shock apparent in his expression. “I, uh … yeah. Sure. That’d be nice.”

I release a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding. “Great. I’ll, uh … I’ll text you.”

“Sounds good. You’re buying.”

A surprised smile appears as Perry continues in the opposite direction. Who knew my cousin had a sense of humor?

My smile fades as Jay and I approach the table where Lloyd Clarke is seated. He glances up as we near, appraising Jay first, then me. His expression doesn’t change, yet I sense he’s unimpressed.

More suits, is what I’d guess he’s thinking.

“Afternoon, Mr. Clarke. I’m Jay Lewis, from Locke, Grey, and Lee.”

“Nice to meet you.” They shake hands. “Call me Lloyd, please.”

“Flynn Parks,” I state, holding my hand out next.

“Welcome.” Lloyd takes a seat again, leaning back in his chair. “Why should I hire you?”

The blunt question is aimed at Jay, not me. I wonder if this is part of Jay’s strategy in having me make the pitch. Or maybe he knew this account was a long shot and is treating this as a training exercise.

“Because you don’t just need new lawyers. You need different ones. Better ones.”