Jack with a Twist by Brenda Janowitz Page A

not know,” she says, “but that was the reason I didn’t want to use Gilson, Hecht—Jean Luc does use them on quite a few corporate matters of his own. Will it be a problem?”
    “It won’t be a problem for me,” I say, “but you need to think about whether or not it will be a problem for you. If you are at all uncomfortable with this, we can discuss it more.”
    “I have faith in you, Brooke,” Monique says, now examining the bodice of the dress, “I just want you to think about if you really want to do this.”
    “I do,” I say, as Monique pins the bodice, lowering the neckline. It highlights that part of my body that I hate most—where my arms meet my torso—and makes me look like I have chicken fat protruding from my armpits. Not my best look. Not any woman’s best look, is it?
    Okay. So I understand that this isn’t really my wedding dress that she’s working on. Really I do. But would it kill her to put me in a style that’s more flattering to my figure?
    “Monique, I just want you to know how much I appreciate this opportunity. I’m going to work so hard for you on this case.”
    “I know you will,” she says, smiling at me gently. “But, I suppose I don’t have to tell you my own personal opinion on what it’s like to work with the man you love.”
    “Well,” I say, the lawyer in me coming up with a rationalization before I even have a chance to fully think my response through, “we won’t actually be working together. We’ll be adversaries.”
    “But, isn’t that worse?” Monique says, tilting her head to the side.
    “Jack and I have worked together before,” I explain, “and the truth is, it’s never been a problem for us before. So, it won’t be a problem now.”
    “Good,” Monique says, “Now let me help you out of this muslin.”
    “Let’s talk spin,” I say, as Monique helps me get out of the dress. It’s like an obstacle course with the millions of pins that she’s put all over the fabric, but she holds the dress at just the right angles for me to take it off unscathed. Well, more unscathed than I already am. “That blind item in the Post. Do you want to sue?”
    “I think that would make it more conspicuous,” Monique says, putting the muslin back in the closet and then sitting down on the couch as I put my clothes back on. “This party tonight should put everyone’s suspicions to rest, once and for all. After tonight, there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind how committed Jean Luc and I are to each other. The funny thing is that Jean Luc and I thought of the idea together. I guess there are still some decisions we can make as a team.”
    I see Monique’s eyes begin to tear up at the edges, and I look away to pretend not to see.
    “I agree,” I say, walking to the window where I look down at the swarm of reporters waiting by the door, “I think you’re making the right decision.”
    “Then, it’s time for me to get ready for my party,” Monique says, and stands up from the couch where she’d been sitting.
    “Well, have a wonderful time tonight,” I say. “Do you need me to be here for anything? You know, in case any legal issues pop up.”
    “You are so funny, Brooke,” Monique says with a laugh. “How would it look to the reporters if one of my brides were to be here? The one who is a lawyer?”
    “You can also invite a bride who is an accountant,” I offer. “Or a banker. Do you have any brides who work in investment banking?”
    Monique laughs loudly and I laugh along, too, trying to pretend that I’m not desperate for a piece of free fish.
    “Well, have fun,” I say, conceding defeat. “I just know it will be a huge success.”
    “And so will your case,” Monique says as she walks me to the stairs. “Speaking of which, what comes next?”
    “Discovery,” I explain. “It’s the part of the case where each side gets to ask the other side for information—questions, documents, depositions—they’re all part of the pretrial