Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“Talk,” I say as I lower back into my chair.
“What do you know about extending contracts?” Her eyes twinkle. “Namely, negotiating with a hard-ass attorney for another two years of employment beyond what I’ve already signed up for.”
Relief floods me as I lean back in my chair. “This hard-ass attorney sounds like he knows his stuff.”
She nods. “He knows a good employee when he sees one, and I’m sure he’ll want to keep her satisfied, so he’ll be open to giving her a ten percent raise and an extra two weeks of vacation a year.”
“If I were the hard-ass attorney you speak of, I’d argue for twelve percent and three weeks, including airfare and five-star accommodation in Miami.”
Her smile widens. “My sister happens to live in Miami.”
“Small world.”
“I’m not ready to retire, Rook.” She sighs. “I love Kirby too much to give it all up, and another two years just feels right to me.”
“I’ll take whatever I can get with you,” I say in an even tone. “I consider you an integral part of my daughter’s life. We need you, Maura, but at the same time, I need you to be happy with the arrangement.”
She nods. “I am. I get to take care of the sweetest little girl in Manhattan.”
“I’ll have the new contract drawn up for your signature this week?”
Her hand drifts over her forehead. “My current one doesn’t expire for another six months, so about that twelve percent…”
Huffing out a laugh, I press a button on my desk phone that signals that I need Svea to step into my office. “The raise will be retroactive, dating back to the first of this year.”
Her eyes widen. “That’s very generous of you.”
“What can I say?” I tilt my chin down. “I’m not only a hard-ass attorney, I’m a good guy.”
A light knock at the door prefaces the appearance of my assistant. “Yes, Mr. Thorsen?”
“Arrange for Maura to have a spa day at The Beaumont Hotel tomorrow.” I pivot slightly. “Also, have the hotel concierge get in touch with me today.”
I want that keycard waiting for Carrie if she arrives before me tonight.
“Very well.” Svea nods. “Anything else, sir?”
I turn my attention back to Maura. “I’ll pick up Kirby from school tomorrow. You enjoy the time off.”
“You are one of the good ones, Rook.” She pushes to her feet. “Chesca was a fool to let you go.”
That’s not what went down. She didn’t let me go. I didn’t dump her. We just got to a place of pure honesty, where we admitted that our shared love for our daughter wasn’t enough of a bond to keep us in the same bed.
“Can I walk you to the elevator?” Svea offers to Maura. “I’d love to hear some Kirby stories.”
“I have a million of those.” Maura shoulders her leather tote.
I know it’s loaded with supplies for my daughter. She’s devoted so much of herself to Kirby that the least I can do is treat her with the respect and admiration she deserves.
I stand. “I’ll be in touch about the new contract.”
“I know you will.” She flashes me a smile over her shoulder. “I’m glad I stopped by.”
“You’re welcome here anytime, but the twelve percent is firm, Maura.”
She stops at the threshold of my office to turn to face me. “Until it’s not. I’ll see you back here in a year and a half.”
Laughing, I watch her walk away, knowing I’ll give her whatever she wants because she’s giving me something money can’t buy.
That’s the peace that comes with knowing my little girl is safe.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Carrie
Mondays have never been my favorite day of the week, but today might have changed all of that.
Not only was Mr. Black completely on board with Kirby visiting the lab, but Mr. Benton stopped by to ask me how old Kirby is. He said he’ll arrange the visitor badges for her and Rook, but he tacked something on to the end of that. He’s ordering a little lab coat with Kirby’s name stitched on the front and the words Chemist in Training.
If it fuels a future love for the sciences within her, that will be the icing on the cake, but I’ll be just as happy if it’s a gift she’ll treasure forever.
“I take it that you want to be the one to ask Rook when he can bring Kirby to the lab?” Telford asks me as we exit the elevator in the lobby of the Matiz building.
Nodding my head, I motion for him to cut around a group of people waiting to board the lift. “I’ll do that.”
“In person or on the phone?” he queries with a perked brow.
“One or the other,” I play it off like it’s no big deal.
“My vote is in person, so he’ll see your pretty face again.”
I turn to look right at him. “Aw. Thanks, Tel.”