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 smile. “Have you considered doing anything else?”
She skims a hand over her dark brown hair. “Retiring.”
That brings a grin to my face. “That sounds exciting.”
She nods. “It definitely won’t be boring. I had to go in for a consult on an odd-shaped mole on my back last week. It turned out to be nothing, but it did get me thinking.”
“I’m glad it turned out to be nothing.” I pat her hand. “Did it get you thinking about your next chapter?”
“Right.” She glances toward the barista counter. “I’ve worked for a big name law firm for over thirty-five years. I worked my ass off and tucked away a small fortune, so I could jump ship and close my notebook for good.”
She extenuates the point by slamming the cover of her notebook closed.
“It would be a whole new adventure,” I say.
She sighs. “I almost took the plunge before I was handed this case. Kalina came to the firm in a bit of a panic when Mr. Wells approached her. I had an opening in my schedule, so this deal landed in my lap.”
“I’m glad. It’s been nice getting to know you today.”
A smile slides over her lips. “I feel the same way. I didn’t think my farewell case would involve a condom company, but it’ll be a great conversation starter for the future.”
I laugh. “I’ll do what I can to help close this deal quickly.”
An hour later, I’m sitting in the same chair in Declan’s office that I was in earlier. The only difference is that the door is closed, and he’s the only other person in the room.
His gaze drops to the paper I just handed him with the details of Marg’s final offer of the day. “Abigail.”
My name comes out of him edged with exasperation. I watch as his index finger slides over the paper.
“I realize it’s above the monetary limit you have in mind,” I explain.
He finally looks up at me. “It is. I was clear, or at least I thought I was about my limit.”
“You were,” I say in a voice still brimming with confidence, even though I lack that inside.
Marg and I went back and forth on the terms until she got a call and had to leave the café. I promised I’d present her final offer to Declan, so on the subway ride here, I readied myself for this meeting.
He balls the paper in his fist and then tosses it toward the wastebasket beside his desk.
Naturally, it’s a slam dunk.
“You can do better than this.” His voice snaps through the silence. “You will do better than this.”
“Yes, sir,” I say without giving it any thought.
His gaze narrows. “I can’t tell if you’re calling me sir intentionally to make me hard.”
I want to laugh, but the pressure of the deal is weighing on me. “It slipped out.”
A smile tugs at the corners of his lips, but he chases it away almost as quickly as it appears. “Alright.”
“I’ll set up another meeting with Marg later this week.” I push to stand. “I’ll get you the terms you want, Declan.”
“I did some research on her, and she’s been at this a long time.” His tone softens. “Her job is to get the most she can for her client.”
I’m well aware of that, but I just nod in response.
“Give her a day or two and then make contact again,” he suggests. “I know Kalina is eager to sell. She told me that she felt Wells was the right home for Llura, so we need to reach a compromise that works for all of us.”
“We will,” I say with assurance. “I’ll go back to my office and plan my strategy for when I speak to Marg again.”
“Then you’ll meet me for dinner.”
“I’m having dinner with my sister tonight,” I tell him because Carrie did indeed ask me to rush home to try a new recipe she’s preparing. “Can we do dinner another night?”
“Of course.” He pushes to his feet. “You pick a night, and I’ll be there.”
“Thank you.”
He rounds his desk until he’s standing right in front of me. “You’ll get the deal done. I have faith in you, Abigail.”
That means more than he knows, but I bite back all the emotions flooding me. “I’ll get you everything you want.”
“I’m looking at it,” he whispers. “The Llura deal is the icing on the cake.”
I can’t help but smile. “Have a nice evening, sir.”
His left brow perks. “That wasn’t a slip. You are trying to drive me wild.”
I shrug. “Am I?”
His hands drop to my waist. “When you can see me again, send me a text. I’ll be waiting.”
I softly kiss his smooth jaw and breathe in the scent of his skin. “I won’t make you wait too long.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Declan
I raise a hand to gesture my brother over to my table. “Sean!”