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 walk into Helena’s office, hoping she’s about to toss the name of Kalina’s new lawyer at me. All she sends my way is a bright smile.
“Hey,” I greet her with a grin. “Rook said you wanted to see me.”
My boss approached me when I stepped off the elevator less than five minutes ago. There weren’t any questions about how my weekend was or even a good morning. He had one mission: to inform me to talk to Helena as soon as possible, so I dropped my purse and cup of coffee off in my office before I came straight here.
“Rook said that?” she questions with a tap of a fingernail against her chin. “We spoke briefly this morning about the Llura deal. I told him we’re waiting to hear from Kalina’s new counsel.”
I shrug both shoulders. “I haven’t heard anything yet.”
Her hand skims the front of the dark blue blazer she’s wearing. I opted for a red dress this morning. It may not be the most professional look, but I suspect my day will consist of doing research for some of the senior lawyers on staff. Mondays are notorious for that.
“You’ve met Kalina, right?” Helena asks. “How would you feel about reaching out to her today? It might be worth our while to go right to the source to see where she stands on the deal and whether she’s got another lawyer lined up.”
I nod. “I can do that.”
“Good.” She pushes to stand. “How was your weekend, Abby? Please tell me you had enough fun for both of us because I was stuck here working on the Collymore deal.”
As tempted as I am to ask whether the firm is about to present a deal to Mrs. Collymore that is worth her while I don’t. Instead, I answer the question she asked after taking a deep breath. “I had a great weekend.”
“With a great guy?” she quizzes with a smile.
“Yes.” I keep my response simple, hoping she won’t dive deeper than that.
She rounds her desk. “Good. Promise me you’ll never give up that work and life balance. Once you do, it’s hard to get it back.”
“I won’t give it up,” I say, knowing I can’t promise that.
My career is important to me, but Declan is too, and I’ll do what I can to make it all work.
“You’ll let me know what Kalina says?” she asks.
“I will,” I assure her as she breezes past me on her way to her open office door.
“I’m heading to the break room for a cup of horrible coffee.” She laughs. “Do you want to join me?”
I wave a hand in the air. “I’m good. I bought a coffee on my way in this morning.”
“Smart girl.” She winks. “You’re a very smart girl.”
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Declan
Holden scans the interior of the diner I asked him to meet me at. “Where’s Rook?”
“Busy.” I motion toward one of the vacant chairs next to the table I snagged when I arrived.
Crispy Biscuit is a staple in Manhattan and a favorite of mine. I’ve spent hours here with family and friends, enjoying the stick-to-your-ribs type of food I can’t resist when the mood strikes.
That mood hit me when I got out of bed an hour ago. I was ravenous. Even though Abby and I indulged in a few good meals this weekend, I was craving one of Jo’s specials this morning. The owner of this diner knows how to cook eggs the way I like, and the bacon is always crisped to perfection.
I’ll put in a few extra hours at the gym this week to make up for this Monday morning treat.
“Lawyers,” Holden scoffs with a grin.
He unbuttons his jacket and takes a seat.
He’s dressed in a three-piece dark blue suit with a light blue tie. It’s similar to what I’m wearing, except I opted for a silver tie today.
“You and I have more in common than I realized,” Holden says as he scans the paper menu in front of him.
I take the opportunity to rib him yet again by running a hand through my hair. “Not a gray in sight.”
Despite trying to fight it, he smiles. “You’re a bastard. You know that, right?”
“I’m a bastard that you consider an old friend.”
“True,” he agrees. “I wasn’t talking about the hair, Declan. I’m going to be an uncle too.”
I stare at him. “No shit?”
“No shit.” He nods with a wide grin on his face. “Jameson and Sinclair told me this weekend. They invited me over for dinner yesterday and broke the news then.”
I pat his shoulder. “Congratulations!”
“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” His voice cracks. “Both of our younger brothers are going to be dads.”
Jameson Sheppard can’t be more than twenty-five or twenty-six, but I know his love story. Holden filled me in a few months ago. Jameson reconnected with his childhood best friend, and they admitted what they both knew all along. They were made for each other.