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 won’t,” I promise her and myself. “I won’t.”
I knock on the door to Rook’s office, dreading what’s waiting for me on the other side.
After I left Mrs. Collymore’s apartment, I stopped at home to drop off a potted peace lily she had gifted me, along with a paper bag filled with the leftovers from our lunch.
She told me to share it with my sister for dinner, so that’s exactly what I intend to do.
As I was leaving my apartment to head to the office, Rook called to tell me to track him down as soon as I got to work. I suspect he’s talked to Declan and knows that I didn’t fill our client in on the dead Llura deal.
If that’s the case, I might be looking for a new job by day’s end.
I have no reasonable excuse for not reaching out to Declan other than I’m avoiding him on a personal level.
None of that bodes well for my future at Thorsen & Associates.
“Come in,” Rook’s deep voice calls out. “Come in, Abby.”
I shouldn’t be surprised that he knows it’s me. There are cameras around every corner in this building.
I swing open the door to find my boss smelling what looks like a dying daisy.
“Good afternoon, sir,” I greet him.
“It’s Rook.” He flashes me a smile. “Close the door and take a seat.”
I do as I’m told and settle in one of the visitor chairs. I swear I get a whiff of Declan’s distinctive cologne, but I instantly wonder if my boss shares an affinity for the same brand.
Rook sets his ass down on the corner of his desk. His gaze travels over my black pants and blouse before it lands on my face. “How are you, Abby?”
“I’m fine,” I say truthfully because physically, I’m fine.
“We need to talk,” he states the obvious. “It’s important.”
Great, just great. I’m about to be handed unemployment papers because I didn’t have the courage to face my lover.
“It’s about the Llura deal, isn’t it?” I try and jump ahead of him. “I’m sorry that didn’t work out.”
“It did work out for you,” he pauses. “For us.”
That’s news to me. The last time I checked in with Kalina, she was still at home, figuring out how to tell her on-and-off boyfriend he’s going to be a father.
I’m hoping she’ll give me a play-by-play of that conversation so I can piece together a plan on how to broach that conversation with Declan.
“I’m not following, sir.”
A smile slides over his mouth. “Kalina Ash called this morning. She wants you to take on the role of counsel for Llura.”
“What?” I ask in disbelief.
“She’ll become your client under the Thorsen & Associates umbrella, of course,” he explains. “Alongside Mrs. Collymore.”
I stare at him in disbelief. “You spoke to Mrs. Collymore?”
“Patricia called me just a few minutes ago.” He gestures to the phone on his desk. “She’s taken a liking to you, Abby. She wants you as her lawyer, so you’ll handle the final negotiations on the sale of the theater chain. It also sounds like she’s got a new venture on the horizon. It was something about a bakery that is filled with plants. Does that sound about right?”
I smile. “It does, sir.”
“Rook,” he says his name with a chuckle. “I’ll get Svea to prepare the paperwork for you to sign, so you can hit the ground running with your first and second official clients. I’m proud of you, Abby. You’re a real asset to our team.”
I glance down to the floor before I meet his gaze. “Thank you, Rook.”
“Declan wanted me to pass on a message to you.”
My stomach immediately knots when I hear the name of the man I love. “What’s the message?”
“He wants you to call him.” His gaze travels over my face. “I’ve known Declan for a long time. I may be overstepping here, but I’ve seen a change in him lately. I’ve seen that change in you too. I want you to know that underneath the expensive suits and his need for greed, Declan is a solid guy. He’s loyal, honest, and one of the best men I know.”
Stunned, I nod.
“If something is going on between the two of you, I’m happy for both of you.” He perks a brow. “If I’m misreading this, forget everything I just said.”
I smile. “You’re not misreading, Rook, but…”
“But what?”
I glance at my stomach. “But nothing. Declan and I have been spending time together outside of work.”
His entire face lights up. I’ve only seen that when he’s been talking about his daughter. “That’s fucking amazing. Declan deserves a woman like you, and you can’t do better than a man like him.”
I know he’s right. I also know what I need to do. I need to talk to Declan, and that has to happen now.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Declan
“Two people are waiting to see you,” Huck says into the phone.