Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
I eye up the plate of brownies that are waiting to be devoured. “Did she teach you how to make those?”
She slides the plate toward me. “She didn’t. I came up with this recipe.”
Although I doubt my stomach has room for another bite of anything, I grab a brownie and dig in. It’s not only fudgy and chewy, but the small toffee bits add another layer of flavor. “This is delicious.”
She sighs. “I’m glad you like it. I’m so glad you’ve liked everything.”
How could I not?
She’s been feeding me since I arrived at her penthouse almost two hours ago. What I thought would be a quick work-related visit became a feast and a few lessons in caring for houseplants.
We dined on bruschetta before she served a large salad with garlic butter coated croutons and perfectly grilled chicken. Freshly baked bread was served on the side.
I feel like I’ve dined at one of Manhattan’s hidden gems, but all the delicious food came straight from Mrs. Collymore’s kitchen.
“I’ve been talking non-stop since you arrived.” She laughs. “I know Rook sent you here on business, so fill me in.”
I wipe my hands on the lace trimmed white napkin beside my plate before reaching for my bag. I plopped it on the chair next to me when I sat down for dinner. Tugging on the envelope my boss handed me as I left the office, I stop to take a breath.
“It’s another offer to buy the business, isn’t it?” She tilts her head, causing the red curls that frame her face to bounce off her cheeks. “Be honest, Abby. Is it worth my while to look at?”
When I first started coming to Mrs. Collymore’s home to deliver legal documents, my boss made it clear that I was not authorized to offer any advice, so I shrug. “I think you should take a look and decide for yourself.”
Studying my face, her green eyes narrow. “Rook told you not to give me your two cents, didn’t he?”
I nod silently.
“I’m asking for both of those cents.” She grins. “Off the record, of course. I won’t tell your big, bad boss that you overstepped. You have my word.”
I smile at her description of Rook. “I suppose I could take a quick look.”
She rips the envelope open before yanking out a stack of papers. Without even glancing at them, she slides them toward me.
My gaze drops to the top page. I recognize Rook’s signature at the bottom. I skim the text, noting that it’s the standard letter attached to every proposal.
Mrs. Collymore reaches forward to tap a finger to the corner of it. “Get to the good stuff.”
Laughing, I flip over the page before I glance at her. “You’re sure you want my opinion?”
“Very sure.”
I quickly read the proposal, circling back to look over the terms for a second time.
“Well,” she draws that word out. “What do you think?”
I drop the papers on the table. “I think it’s a solid offer, but it’s not there yet.”
Her chin nods softly. “Then it’s a firm no from me.”
I slide the papers toward her. “You should look it over, though. Rook would want that.”
She picks them up to flip the stack over. “I don’t need to.”
Surprised, I feel a shot of panic race through me. “It will only take a second.”
She shakes her head. “You’re the only one from the firm who comes here to see me. You take time out of your schedule to visit me and listen to me drone on about my plants.”
I can’t help but smile. “I’m fascinated by your plants. Today, I learned that I might be able to keep a plant alive. Before I got here, I didn’t even know a pothos plant existed. Now, I know it might be the perfect plant for me.”
She lets out a full belly laugh. “That’s what I’m talking about, Abby. You stop by, listen, and today you did something no one has done in a long time.”
“What did I do?”
Her hand snakes across the wooden table to pat the top of mine. “You had dinner with me.”
I bite back the emotion that surges through me. “I enjoyed it. I truly did.”
“I know,” she says with a soft nod. “That’s how I know you’re being honest when you tell me to pass on this latest offer. If you think there’s room for improvement, I believe there is too.”
“There is,” I say, even though I know Mr. Thorsen would be pissed to hear me offer my opinion.
“I’ll call your boss in the morning and tell him to get his ass in gear and get me a better offer.” She winks. “I promise I’ll keep your name out of it.”
“Thank you.” I smile. “I appreciate that.”
“Now that we’ve settled that, let’s talk about you.” Her eyes brighten. “Is there a boyfriend in the picture?”