“He fired you for coming to a party of mine?” It seemed like a pretty dramatic overreaction to me.
“He fired me because when he confronted me about our relationship, I told the truth. Sleeping with clients is against the rules. I’m out.” She shrugged. “Six years of work down the drain, just like that.”
The relief I had been feeling was immediately replaced by guilt. Riley had been fired because of me. “I’m so sorry, Riley. This is my fault. You warned me what would happen and I wasn’t careful enough.”
“It’s not your fault. Briggs has been looking for a reason to get rid of me.” She finally made eye contact with me. “I’m not saying I’m happy about what happened, but I don’t regret it. I don’t regret us.”
“Good. I’m sure you’ll find something else right away. A woman as smart as you has got to be in high demand.” I didn’t really know what else to say, but I kept rambling. “If you need any help in the meantime, any money or whatever, I can help you out.”
Her face hardened quickly. “I don’t need your money, Will. I might not be the CEO of a company, but I’ve done alright for myself.”
“Of course. I’m sorry.” I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I don’t know what a man is supposed to say to his girlfriend when she gets fired because of him.”
“Nothing. You don’t have to say anything.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I need to use the ladies’ room. I promise, I’m not running out on you.”
“I wouldn’t blame you if you did,” I muttered, feeling slightly better when she gave me a slow kiss.
I watched her cross the room until she disappeared through the doors. The servers were beginning to take food to the tables, so I headed toward the table where Scott and Alexis were seated.
“Missing something?” Scott teased as I sat next to him.
“She didn’t leave, did she?” Alexis asked.
“No. Restroom.” I didn’t feel like going through the whole ordeal again. I already felt bad enough about what had happened.
Alexis didn’t share the same feeling as me. “She must be so upset. Riley loves her job. It’s basically been her whole life these last few years. To have it all taken away so abruptly… I’m surprised she even wanted to come out tonight.”
I thought back to the phone call we’d had the previous night. She had asked me about my meeting, but I had never bothered to ask her how her week was going. When she had acted nervous about attending the event, I had just assumed it was social anxiety. It had never occurred to me that maybe she just didn’t feel like being here because she’d had a truly terrible week.
“If you’ll excuse me for a moment,” I said, deciding that I should check to make sure she was really okay.
For the first time, I found myself wishing that Riley was more like other women. My previous girlfriends all would’ve made a hell of a big deal about being fired. I wouldn’t have accidentally found out by overhearing a hushed conversation.
The restrooms were off to the side, right next to the door leading to the alley. It was a fairly secluded part of the hotel and only two people passed me as I stood waiting for Riley to appear. When five minutes had gone by and she still hadn’t come out of the restroom, I tried calling her. Surprisingly, I heard her phone ringing somewhere behind me.
I turned in a slow circle, but there was no sign of Riley. On my second loop around, I spotted something metal on the floor near the outside door. I knew right away that it was Riley’s phone. I picked it up, moving slowly even though my mind was racing. Sure, it was possible that she had just dropped it and not realized it. But the way it was positioned so closely to the exit, and the fact that Riley’s brother had been stalking and threatening her, lead me to jump to the worst possible conclusion.
“Hey, Moore. What the hell are you doing out here?” Scott laughed when he saw me staring blankly at Riley’s phone as I processed the situation. “Is your girlfriend hiding from you?”
“No.” I looked up, my heart racing. I knew exactly what had happened to Riley. My worst fear had just come true. “She’s gone.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Riley
I knew when I walked into the office on Thursday that it wasn’t going to be a good day. I broke a button my suit jacket as I was leaving the train, the barista at my favorite coffee shop screwed up my order, and Georgia Camden was waiting for me in my office.
She was sitting on my desk with her long legs crossed and swinging. The patent pumps on her feet had probably cost more than a month’s rent. I couldn’t recall any other time when Georgia had come into my office, so I knew it was only going to be bad news.
“Can I help you?” I said, dropping my purse in a chair.
“I don’t need your help, Riley,” she said with a wicked smile. “I just wanted to give you a chance to come up with your rebuttal.”
“My rebuttal to what?”
“To the accusation that I’m about to make to Desmond.” Georgia pushed off the desk and held out a case folder. When I opened it, I realized it wasn’t a case at all. “Would you care to deny your relationship with Mr. Moore?”
My heart thudded in my chest. I had known this moment would come eventually. Georgia was like a dog with a bone and she wasn’t going to let that moment she witnessed go without comment. “William Moore is a client of the firm.”
“A client that likes to put his hand on your ass.” Georgia nodded to the folder. “It’s amazing what you can find on the internet. You haven’t done a very good job of covering your tracks.”
The pictures she had found and printed from the internet were troublesome, but not entirely damning. William and I standing a little too close together. Me looking at him a little too adoringly. Some handholding and general affection.
“You really don’t have anything better to do than stalk me online?” I tried to sound annoyed rather than worried, but I wasn’t very successful.
“You think you’re so perfect, don’t you? I know you’ve been trying to make partner track, but I’ve been here longer than you and I’ve put up with a lot more of Briggs’ misogynistic crap than you. I’m not going to let you get in the way of my goal.” Georgia’s eyes narrowed threateningly. “I don’t sleep with my clients to get ahead.”
“That is the dumbest thing you’ve ever said, and that’s saying a lot. For one thing, I’ve worked my ass off every day that I’ve been at this firm. For two, Briggs hates me as much, if not more than you, and he doesn’t intend to make me a partner. And three, sleeping with a client wouldn’t help in that regard anyway. It’s not like William could just magically make me a partner.” I was so angry that I didn’t have the wherewithal to worry about my job. Not that it would have mattered anyway. Georgia had already made up her mind to destroy my career at the firm.
“Hopefully he can magically get you a new job,” Georgia said with a smirk, just as the phone on my desk began to ring.
I was summoned to Desmond’s office and kept my mouth shut as he berated me for fraternizing with a client. It was clear that he had already made his decision to get rid of me, and nothing I could say would alter his plans. I had to listen as he listed all the things he didn’t like about me before telling me that it would be in everyone’s best interest if I left the firm. As he detailed the steps for me transferring my case load, I felt an inexplicable feeling.
Relief.
For so long, I had sacrificed my life for this job. I had missed friends’ life events and had put my romantic life on the back burner. I had thought that success in my career would make me happy, but instead it had been draining my energy and happiness. I hadn’t even realized that until I met William. Spending one weekend with him where I put myself first, before the job, had shown me what I was missing. I didn’t want this job any more. I wanted William.
I left work just a couple hours later. Officially, I would still be working for the firm for another six weeks. Essentially, I would stay on the firm’s roster until my clients were transiti
oned to other attorneys at the firm, but I wouldn’t be taking any new work or doing any substantial work on pending cases. With nothing to do at the office, I called Alexis and had her meet me at a bar down the street. After just a few minutes of moping, I let myself start to enjoy my new unemployed status. It was time to start enjoying my life.
That enjoyment was short lived because I found one of Michael’s notes waiting for me at home. It had been slipped under the front door of my apartment building, my name boldly emblazoned across the front. I recognized his handwriting immediately.
You stupid bitch. Did you really think I’d be scared of your boyfriend? Why are you doing this, Riley? I just want a chance to talk to you and explain everything. You can’t stay away from me forever. I know where you live. I know where you work. It’s only a matter of time. ~M
It should have scared me to know that he had been so close. I should have been checking of my shoulder in case he had waited around to see me read the note. But I was too furious. How dare he re-enter my life and threaten me? I wasn’t going to let him ruin my life.
I went to bed early, feeling the effects of the celebratory drinks that Alexis and I had drunk way too fast. With thoughts of the day running through my head, I was still awake when William called. Just seeing his name flash across my phone made me feel instantly safer.
“Will.” I answered on the third ring with a smile on my face. “Hey, you.”
“Is it late? Did I wake you?” He hesitated. “Shit. Sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it.” I held back a yawn and settled move comfortably against my pillow. “It’s good to hear your voice.”
Did he have any idea the effect his voice had on me? Did he know that my body responded so completely to the sound of his voice?
William said, “I’ve missed you, Riley. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow night.”
“I’ve missed you, too. How was your meeting?” I just wanted to hear him speak. If I could sit on the phone with him all night listening to him talk about his trip, it would be the best night ever.
“Good. The investors loved the idea and accepted our proposal. We went out to celebrate, which leads us to me calling you after midnight. Sorry again about that.” His voice changed. “I told Nicky about you.”
“Your brother?” I hadn’t expected that. What had he told Nick about me? “What did you tell him?”
“I told him that I’ve found the woman of my dreams. I also told him that I want to introduce the two of you next time he’s in the city.” William sounded tired.
I was nervous about the idea of meeting William’s brother. I knew how much he respected Nick and his opinion of me would hold a lot of weight with William. Rather than think about the possibility of me screwing everything up, I decided to focus on giving William what he said he needed from me– honesty. “I need to tell you something, Will.”
“That doesn’t sound good,” he said, sounding worried.
“I got another note from Michael. This time it had been slipped under my front door.” I hated that my voice shook. So much for not letting Michael get to me.
“He came to your house?” William swore under his breath. “Riley, are you there now?”
“Of course I am. Where else would I be at 1:00 in the morning?” I tried not to sound afraid even as I thought about how much I wished that William was there with me in person. Why did he have to be so far away?
“You should have called me earlier.” William sounded just as upset about the distance between us.
“I didn’t want to distract you before your meeting,” I said. It bothered me that I had just ruined his night with my news. I was determined to convince him that everything was okay. “I’m fine, Will. Really. Please don’t worry about me. I’m actually pretty good at taking care of myself.”
“I know.” He sighed and I could picture him sitting on the hotel bed, running a hand through his hair in the adorable way that he always did when he was frustrated. “I just wish I was with you in your bed right now instead of in this hotel room.”
“I’m sure you do,” I said with a laugh. It was crazy how we were both thinking the exact same thought at the exact same time. “Next you’re going to ask me what I’m wearing.”
Now William laughed. “Give me a little credit. I’m not that lame.”
“Yes, you are,” I said confidently. It had been a long day for both of us and I wanted William to get some rest. He was so busy worrying about me that he wasn’t worrying at all about himself. “That’s why I love you. Now let me get some sleep so I’m not a zombie at the fundraiser tomorrow night.”
“Alright, I’ll let you go. I love you.” Then he quickly asked, “Hey, Riley. What are you wearing?”
“Nothing at all,” I said easily. “Love you, too. Sweet dreams.”
William’s calming effect couldn’t be denied. I was asleep just a few minutes after hanging up the phone. It helped knowing that I would be with him again in less than a day. The only problem was my newly vacated schedule. With an entire day to waste and no work to focus on, I had to look for other ways to occupy my time. After a morning of watching pointless television, I decided to try out my baking skills. My mother had passed down an amazing apple pie recipe that I knew would rival the pie William had bought me on our trip. As I rolled out the dough, I thought about the smile he would give me when he found out I spent my day making him a pie.
Unfortunately, it took longer than I expected and I lost track of time. While the pie was still warming on the counter, I hurried to get ready for the fundraiser. I was just finishing taming my hair when William rang my buzzer. I let him in and then hurried back to the bedroom to put on my dress. It was a daring little number, but not too scandalous. I thought William would like the plunging neckline and open back.
“Riley?” William said as he let himself into my apartment.
“One sec.” I ran my hands down the fabric to make sure I hadn’t wrinkled it while slipping it on. “Sorry, I got stuck working late.” It was technically true if you considered baking pies to be work, which I certainly did.
“Take your time.”
I could picture him walking around the apartment and I was oddly comfortable with the notion of him helping himself to some of my scotch.
“Okay, I’m ready.” I took a deep breath and rounded the corner. William stood with a glass of scotch in hand, wearing a perfectly tailored suit and a blue tie that almost identically matched my dress.
“Worth the wait,” he said, sounding a little breathless. He put a hand over his heart and muttered a low, “Wow.”
“Is that a good wow?” I asked, nervously running smoothing the fabric again. “I can change if this isn’t the right attire.”
“Don’t you dare.” He crossed the room in three long strides and put his arms around my waist. His fingers grazed over my exposed skin and he sucked in a sharp breath. “I’ll be the only one undressing you tonight.”
“Did I mention how good you look in that suit?” I leaned into him, pushing my body against his. “Are you going to kiss me or do I have to beg?”
I didn’t need to beg. His lips closed hungrily over mine. We had only been apart for a few days, but it felt like so much longer. His arms were both strong and gentle as he wrapped them around me. I really wished that we didn’t have to leave.
“We’re going to be late,” I said with my lips still brushing against his.
“They’ll carry on without us.” He kissed me again and his fingers slipped under the fabric of her dress. After a quick glance at his watch, he said, “Five more minutes.”
“Not nearly enough time.” I froze, staring into his eyes. Oh, how I loved staring into those eyes. “I thought that after we spent some time apart maybe my head would clear and these crazy feelings I’ve been having for you would fade.”
“Did they?” he asked, not sounding worried.
I shook my head. “They are stronger than ever. I hated every second that we were apart, but this mo
ment makes it all worthwhile.”
“I know what you mean.” He pulled a few inches away and I already missed him. “Let’s get this dinner over with and then we can leave early. We’ll have the whole night to get reacquainted.”
“You always say just the right thing.” I kissed his cheek and forced myself to back away. “Let’s go now before I think too hard about how good that suit would look crumpled on my floor.”
After running into an obnoxious amount of traffic on the way to the Hilton, I felt terrible for being the reason we showed up nearly 30 minutes late. I apologized several times and each time William waved it away.
“This just gives people thirty more minutes of open bar before dinner,” he said as he handed over his keys to the valet.
I felt nervous as I stared at the hotel. It was just now occurring to me how big of a deal it was to be dating William Moore. He was an important person in the city and dating him meant giving up a certain amount of privacy. “People are going to notice us, aren’t they?”
“Yeah… that’s not going to be avoidable as my date.” He put his hand on my lower back and gently urged me forward. “Just don’t do anything to embarrass me.”
“Like what?” I felt a rush of panic.
“Okay, humor is not going to work tonight. Noted.” He nodded a greeting to the man who held the door for us. “Just think of it like you are about to meet my friends. All 500 of them.”
“Oh, well that just makes it so much better.” I anxiously reached for his arm. “That’s only 499 more friends than you’ve met of mine.”
A few people said hellos as we entered the hotel and William responded to each one. He leaned close and whispered in my ear, “Two hours max, I promise. A speech, some drinks, dinner, and a quick trip around the room to thank everyone.”
“A quick trip around a room of 500 people?” I was doubtful. “I’m betting these people paid a lot of money to be here tonight?”
“10,000 per table,” he admitted. “For charity.”
“Then I’d say they deserve more than two hours of your time.” If dating William meant that I had to spend a few hours socializing with a room of strangers, so bit it. He was worth it. I kissed his cheek and said. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.”
Something Moore (Forever Moore Book 1) Page 12
