The next couple of weeks pass with little improvement in the situation that surrounds her. Donna decides to do something that she has not done in a very long time. She is taking a long weekend. It is a polo weekend in the Hamptons and she is going to enjoy her freedom fully should she not have it much longer.
As Friday falls upon him, Harvey quickly remembers that today may have not been the day to give Donna the day off. So far, his day has been utter and total chaos. He had forgotten just how big a role she plays in keeping him on schedule and organized.
Donna is relishing the day off. Days like these are few and far between so she is going to make the most of it. So far she has had her mani/pedi and a facial. Once she is done here, she is hoping that Jules can break free for a ladies who lunch styled luncheon. Donna is surprised that Offie is answering Jules' cell phone this morning. He tells Donna that Jules in indisposed with a patient but he will make sure that she is free for lunch. Donna extends the invitation to Offie as well. He is delightful company in his own right.
Offie is Jules', for lack of a better term, assistant. He is Jules' guy Friday for both her business and personal life… in other words he is Jules' Donna.
Jules is rushing around her office ranting. Offie is sitting at a desk watching Jules dart back and forth like a tennis ball at the US Open. He knows she had a frustrating morning with Johnathan Dempsey and she is just working out how pissed off she is. The phone rings with yet another call from a patient. This is a business of flood or famine and as of late, Jules is quite ready to build an ark. With the amount of activity to her Cayman accounts the freaking IRS is going to think she is running a money laundering operation rather than a medical practice.
Offie hands her the address. He preemptively knows her routine, he hands her the address, her keys, her bag and a coffee. Jules turns towards him mockingly. "Marry Me?" Offie laughs at her. "Been there... done that..."
Donna is waiting at the Hotel Lexington. She is not surprised to find out that Jules is running late as Offie joins her. "Well if it isn't the second sexiest redhead I know." Offie pulls Donna from her seat into a dramatic hug with a dip.
"Who is the sexiest redhead you know?" Donna gives him a sly smile.
"Well Sweetness if you have to ask… I mean." Offie waves his hand down his outfit.
Donna loves Offie. He is a 6'5 hulking ginger of a man who Jules met when she was in the military. Offie is the one person who may know Jules as well as Donna does. Offie and Donna gossip through lunch and cocktails. Offie fills Donna in on the details of Jules' love life with the rendered conclusion that they need to get their girl a man. He also inquires about Josh Cahill since Jules filled him in on the details of that encounter much to Donna's chagrin.
"Be careful, Red. You know that boy is like a hurricane… exciting but ultimately ending in disaster." Offie has a thick southern drawl that Donna has always adored. It makes her feel just like Scarlett O'Hara. His accent is truly Southern, unlike Jules' New Orleans accent. Offie hails from Savannah, Georgia.
Jules' appears at the table in time for dessert. Offie waves to the waiter to bring Jules a coffee. Jules apologizes to the pair but this is something that they are both quite used to with their dear Doctor. Her line of work comes with a great deal of unpredictability with her schedule.
In the moment when Offie leaves them to take a quick call, Jules broaches the subject of Harvey's little visit. "Why didn't you tell Harvey that your soldier… was me? He thought you were in love with a soldier."
"He said that?" Donna knew that they would likely hang out together though she is not exactly sure how the evening would have ended up at Jules' apartment. She knows from that statement alone, that Harvey has seen the photos and those photos are only one place.
"He didn't have to. The shock and awe expression gave that detail away."
Donna ponders Jules' question for several moments. There were a thousand reasons why she didn't clarify that for Harvey over the years. Harvey just made a blind assumption that she never corrected. She liked that he was a bit jealous.
"He made assumptions. I chose not to correct them." Donna is unsure if Jules can see right through her or not.
"You would only want him jealous for one reason." Jules sips her coffee and picks at Offie's dessert.
"And what would that be?" Donna knows she knows but asks anyway. "You are still crazy about him."
"Jules it is not like that. He is like a brother, a cousin that you are really happy to see at Christmas but then are really happy that they get to leave."
Jules takes another bite of Offie's cake with a judgmental raise of her eyes towards Donna. "Sure… whatever lets you sleep at night but I know that look about you." Jules waves the spoon towards Donna like a fairy godmother's wand.
Offie returns to the table knowing he missed something, he is just not sure as to what. These are two of his favorite ladies in the world. Donna has always been a friend and Jules… Jules saved his career. He would do anything for either of them.
"Hamptons, this weekend?" Offie decides to introduce a new topic to the conversation. "Yes, definitely. Jules you in." Jules relaxes into the seat. "Of course, just another day at the office."
"You know Pepper's party is this weekend after the polo match." Both Donna and Jules exchange a wicked little smile. Pepper's parties are the stuff of legend.