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)
“When you see Abigail, have her call me.”
“Sure,” He nods. “I’m still billing you for all the time she invested in this.”
“Of course you are.” I adjust one of my cufflinks. “She’s a good lawyer, Rook.”
“She is,” he agrees as his gaze wanders my face. “She has a drive to succeed that I haven’t seen that often. She’s got a bright career ahead of her. There’s no limit to what she can accomplish. I wouldn’t be surprised if she leaves us in the dust one day to chase something better.”
Those words hit me hard.
I won’t be left in the dust, though, because there’s no way in hell that another man is better for Abigail than I am.
CHAPTER FIFTY
Abby
I glance to where Mrs. Collymore is busying herself, putting toppings on a piece of flatbread.
She’s already stuffed me with a Kalamata olive spread on some divine homemade crackers and a small side salad that consisted of a variety of roasted vegetables with a tangy mustard dressing.
I don’t have the heart to tell her I can’t eat another bite, so I’ll keep eating.
After this, I won’t need to have a meal for days.
“You’re quiet today, Abby,” she says with her back still turned to me. “Is there an issue with that fellow that makes your heart go boom, boom, boom?”
I can’t hold in a smile or the truth. “Yes.”
That spins her around. “Do you need a compassionate ear or a strong shoulder to lean on?”
I could use both, but she’s a client, and I already crossed the appropriate line between an attorney and their client when I spent hours with Kalina discussing her unexpected pregnancy.
“That’s a very kind offer,” I tell her. “I think I need to figure this one out on my own.”
There’s not a hint of disappointment on her face, only a friendly smile. “Can I offer you one piece of advice?”
“Yes, please,” I say.
She wipes both hands on the blue apron tied around her waist. “Words are wonderful, Abigail. Don’t overlook their power. If this young man means what I think he means to you, talk to him. Many relationships have suffered because people were too stubborn or scared to reveal their true feelings.”
I consider every word. “Thank you.”
“I once let a man slip through my fingers.” She holds her hand in the air, spreading her fingers. “All I needed to do was tell him how much I loved him. He had already confessed his love to me, but I was too scared to do the same, and one day, poof, he was gone.”
“You regret that.” It’s a statement not an assumption, because I can see the truth in the sadness in her gaze.
“Very much so.”
“I’m scared,” I admit in a whisper. “I’m scared to talk to him.”
“Trust in your heart.” She pats the center of her chest. “And in his. You love him, don’t you?”
I nod. “I do.”
“I’d bet my favorite philodendron that he loves you too.”
A bubble of laughter escapes me. “I know how much you love that plant. You must be sure he loves me.”
“I’m as sure as sure can be,” she says confidently. “I’m also sure of one more thing.”
“That this food is the best I’ve ever eaten?” I smile.
That makes her laugh too. “No, but I’m glad to hear that. I was going to say that I’m sure that I want you to represent me going forward. I’m going to talk to Rook about it today.”
That brings me to my feet from the stool I’ve been sitting on. “What?”
“You understand me.” She smiles. “You’ve been honest with me about the last few offers, including the one you brought with you today. You want what’s best for me, and I need someone like that in my corner.”
“I know how much the business means to you,” I say. “I know you built it up from the one theater you bought decades ago.”
She nods softly. “After my uncle died and left me a bundle, I bought that movie theater because that man I loved used to take me to the movies every Saturday night.” Her eyes mist. “After he stopped coming around, I’d go alone.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, unsure if it’s appropriate or not.
She nods. “I thought he might come back one Saturday night, hoping I’d be there waiting for him, but he never did.”
Tears well in the corners of my eyes, but I’m at a loss for words, so I stay silent.
“Eventually, I met my late husband when he started showing up at one of the theaters. We fell in love, and the rest is history, as they say.”
It’s a happy ending to a story that could have had a much different ending.
“I had two loves in my life.” She glances at the gold band wrapped around her ring finger. “I was lucky. If you’ve found your one great love, don’t let him slip away.”