by Claire Adams
“You hear that, Gabbi? Anna’s a vault. So spill.” Even the nail technician leaned in closer, not-so-subtly eavesdropping, but not quite as open about it as Anna.
Having this conversation with so many people listening in should have bothered me. It didn’t. Frankly, I would have shouted it from the rooftops for all of the world to hear. If my father didn’t live in this world. Or if I’d already broken the news to him.
“I’m in love with him, Heather. Like over the moon, reach for the stars, World Series kind of in love.”
Wow, soppy much? Since when was I such a goddamn romantic? I hated romantics. Yet as I sat with a stupid grin on my face and told the girls all about James, I couldn’t bring myself to care.
I loved James. I was in love with James. It was undeniable, and I didn’t even want to try to. If that meant that I’d turned into a romantic, then so be it.
Well, I told the girls almost all about James. I still hung on to his identity and his chosen profession. I would have to break that to Heather in private when the time came. I wasn’t going to risk rumors flying around and making it back to my father somehow.
Anna styled our hair as she listened with rapt attention. You would have sworn that I’d known her for as long as I’d known Heather from the “oohs” and “aahs” they delivered in perfect sync.
They asked a million and one questions, and I answered them all, neatly sidestepping the dangerous ones that would give away who he was.
“Have you told him?” There was the dreaded question. The one that I couldn’t sidestep and didn’t want to answer.
“No, I haven’t told him yet.” I twirled the ring on my index finger. Heather picked up on my nervous habit and tilted her head questioningly.
“Why not?” Anna squeaked. “From the sounds of things, he’s as far gone as you are.”
“There are some things that we need to work out before we can have that talk.” There. That was vague enough.
“There will always be things, girlie.” My nail technician, an older woman with hair graying at the temples, chimed in, finally giving up any pretense that she wasn’t listening to us. “Take it from someone who’s been there. You have to tell him. Men have a tendency to be slow on the uptake and do some stupid things on the way there.”
Her words rang with quiet authority, settling heavily all around us until Anna broke the sudden contemplative tension. “Amen to that, sister.”
“I agree,” Heather said. You have to tell him, Gabbi. I’ve never seen you this way before. He’s good for you.”
“Yeah, he is,” I agreed. “I’ll talk to him about it, soon.”
They breathed a collective sigh of relief, and the light, happy mood returned. Anna switched from working on me to working on Heather.
As they talked, the older woman’s words bounced around in my head, almost like an omen.
Things were going spectacularly well between us, but I still had no idea how James felt about me. I was certain that I was much more to him than a faceless fuck or a notch in his bedpost by then, but we hadn’t exactly discussed the status of our relationship.
I hoped we could talk about it once James signed his new contract, eradicating the threat that our relationship could compromise his future.
My father had to postpone their meeting because he got caught up wherever he was, but as soon as that contract was signed, I planned on sitting James down and talking through it. Bubbles of nerves floated through me.
“What do you do?” I heard Anna ask Heather once I forced myself to focus on the present again.
“I’m an aspiring lawyer. Though, it doesn’t feel like the ‘aspiring’ part of that description can drop away fast enough.” Heather sighed, tension lining her eyes again.
Anna must have noticed the sudden tension as well because she waved her hand like she dismissed the notion and gave Heather a kind smile. “It will all be worth it in the end. When is the end?”
“I’m taking the bar exam in a month. But it feels like I haven’t slept in at least six months. I don’t even remember when the last time was that I did anything like we’re doing today.”
“That explains your split ends, then,” Anna teased. Heather squealed and reached for her hair. “Relax, I’m kidding.”
“You’ve never had a split end in your life, Heather,” I said. The last thing that Heather needed was something else to worry about, even it was something as trivial as having split ends.
“I don’t know about the rest of your life, but your hair is in great condition now,” Anna reassured her. “So, one more month until the bar exam, then?”
“Yeah,” Heather said. “I can’t wait for it to be over, but I also feel like I need three more months to study for it.”
“You definitely don’t need three more months, Heather. You’re ready. This last push is nothing but review for you.”
“True, but there’s so much to review. How’re you holding up?”
“I’m okay. Almost there. I was thinking of maybe waiting until the next sitting to take it, but now I’m seriously considering taking it with you.”
“It would be silly of you to wait. You can only study so much. Another six months would be torture.”
“Look who’s talking.” I stared at her pointedly.
Heather laughed but nodded her head. “Touche, old friend. Come on; I want to hear you say it.”
I blushed, remembering James saying almost those exact same words to me not so long ago. Dammit. Why did everything have to come back to him these days? “Say what?”
“Say, ‘Heather, I will take the bar exam with you in one month.’ You know you want to.”
She was right. I did want to. Now that I’d made up my mind to take the exam, I wanted to get it done. Not have it hanging over my head for months on end.
“Okay, I’ll say it. Heather, I think that I will take the exam with you in one month.” My lips curled into a smile. It felt good to say it out loud. I pushed all the nerves about confronting James away. This was a time to celebrate.
“Sold!” Anna cried joyously. “To the lady in the black cape.”
“I wish it were a proper cape. I’m going to need superpowers to survive this month.” I was ready for it, though.
“You are both going to knock that exam out of the park. Mark my words.” Anna insisted.
“How do you know? You’ve known us for all of about an hour.” I hated to point out the obvious, but Anna’s complete faith in us astonished me.
“I know because I know people. Women like you are go-getters. You won’t let anything stand in your way, and you’ll work hard to get what you want.” It was a matter-of-fact statement. There was no doubt in Anna’s voice.
Heather beamed. “You’re right. We have worked hard. We’re going to own this exam.”
“Yeah, we are.” I thought we would, anyway, but I wasn’t about to be the doubting downer.
“These are the only capes that I keep around here, unfortunately. I do have champagne, though. That should give you the self-confidence of a superhero.” Anna smirked and motioned to a girl carrying a tray of champagne flutes.
Heather and I each accepted a glass and sipped in silence as Anna snipped and sprayed and clipped around us. She moved a bit like a ninja. It was quite something to behold.
“So, on to other things that you want. You promise you’ll tell the mystery man soon?” Heather asked quietly, her eyes searching mine like she knew something was holding me back.
“Yeah, I will.” It was a promise that I intended to keep.
“Good. I want to meet him. When do I get to meet him?” Heather’s eyes lit up. “And does he have any hot, single friends?”
I laughed. Heather was beautiful, intelligent, and driven. No man had been able to keep up so far. Although, the same might have been said for me until not so long ago. I would ask James about it.
“I think he does, but I’ll have to ask. You will meet him, though. I don’t know when yet, but I have a feelin
g that he’s going to be around for a while. So you definitely will.”
Hope flooded my veins. I wanted James to be around for a long while. I wondered if he wanted the same thing.
Chapter Twenty-Five
James
I was walking on fucking sunshine when I arrived at Richard’s office that morning. I actually whistled as I headed in. A few friendly faces greeted me, but I didn’t stop to talk. I felt invincible as I walked the hallways, like nothing could stop me now.
Richard had to postpone his first meeting with me, but he’d called as soon as he’d gotten back to town to reschedule, still sounding entirely confident that I would love the terms of my new contract.
In under an hour, I was going to have everything that I’d ever wanted and more. My team, my big payday, and my baby’s future secured.
I also had Gabrielle, for now, anyway. An added bonus that I hadn’t expected but who made the experience so much more rewarding. I couldn’t wait to tell her that I’d accepted her father’s counteroffer. That I would be staying in Miami.
I couldn’t wait to celebrate my dreams coming true with her that evening and to make her scream my name louder than the fans would when we finally won the fucking Super Bowl.
The thought spurred me on. I would call her as soon as I got out of this office with the ink drying in place on my shiny new contract.
Olivia fixed me with a bright smile when I entered Richard’s reception area.
“Well howdy, stranger.” Olivia twirled her braid through her fingers and actually batted her eyelashes at me. “He’s still in with a couple of the members of the management team. He’ll be done in a couple of minutes.”
I wasn’t surprised that I had to wait a few minutes. I wasn’t even the least bit disappointed. Richard had warned me that he had meetings planned all day, but he had insisted that I come in anytime anyway.
“No problem. I can wait. How’re things going over here? Any news?” The day that I’d gotten Gabrielle’s number from Olivia, I hadn’t been lying about the fact that she had her finger on the pulse.
If there was anything worth knowing going on, she would know about it. It was possible that she would have some information regarding the terms of my new contract. I had to know.
Olivia smiled coyly and launched into gossip mode, sharing bits and pieces of information flying around the halls about the plans for the team next season. It sounded legit. If they could pull it off, we might just stand a fucking chance. She didn’t mention anything about my contract, however.
I bounced on the balls on my feet as adrenaline pumped through my veins, feeling like I’d downed five shots of espresso.
“Speaking of news, any updates on the surprise?” Her voice was low as her eyes darted to the hallway.
Images swam in my mind of my shot at the Super Bowl and the ring, Harper in the private school I’d been eyeing, and Gabrielle’s eyes dark with lust.
“What surprise?” I hated being caught off guard. I wasn’t used it and didn’t want to be. I couldn’t pull my mind away from my impending golden future for long enough to focus on whatever she was going on about.
Olivia’s lips pressed into a thin line, and her eyes narrowed. Never a good sign.
“What surprise?” Her voice became slightly more shrill. Shit, she was pissed, though I had no idea why. Her eyes popped wide open. Anger flared in them as something seemed to click into place.
Olivia opened her mouth, presumably to whisper yell at me about whatever had gotten her so riled up when a pack of suits rushed out of Richard’s office.
Each member of the management team slapped my palm and tapped my shoulder as they passed. Each alligator grin was wider than the next. I indulged them and smiled wide as I answered quick questions.
I was in a great mood; I wasn’t going to let the execs get me down. Not that day. The whole exchange took no more than a minute. One of the guys even gave me low thumbs up just before turning to leave.
That had to be a good sign, a great one even. The man wasn’t known for outward displays of excitement of any kind.
“Send him in, Olivia.” Richard’s voice crackled over the intercom before Olivia could say another word to me, effectively putting an end to whatever whispered berating comment she had been about to deliver before the management team had appeared.
I silently thanked God. If there was one thing that I wasn’t in the mood for, it was Olivia’s drama. I did not have time for that shit. I also didn’t know what made her think that she had the kind of authority to yell at us, but it had never stopped her.
“Jamie boy! How are you? Thanks for coming in so soon, I’m sorry that I had to postpone before.” He gave me a quick one-armed hug and slapped my back so hard that I had to keep from coughing up a lung. Not an easy task. The man was definitely excited about something.
“I’m great. Hoping to be better when I see your counteroffer.” Shit, I was actually nervous. I hadn’t been that nervous in long fucking time.
“Well then, I think you’re in luck. Have a seat, son. Wouldn’t want your knees buckling when you hear the news.” He slung his jacket across the back of his monstrous chair. My insides did that same strange thing they’d done the other day when he called me son. Now, however, was not the time to figure it out.
Richard ran a finger through his graying hair and smirked like a man who knew that he had the keys to the kingdom.
I slid into his client chair and positioned one leg over the other, leaning forward on my elbows. “Thanks for your concern, Richard, but I’m dying to see the offer.”
“Of course. Let’s get down to it, then. I know you’re a busy man. Wouldn’t want to keep you from that beautiful daughter of yours.” Guilt took hold in my stomach. Harper was at school.
The only daughter I’d be seeing for hopefully hours after this meeting would be his.
I slammed the lid shut on the feeling. I wasn’t going to go there. Not that day. All of my fucking dreams were about to come true. That was all that mattered.
Richard reached into a drawer and pulled out a blue folder before sliding it over to me with precision. His desk was so polished that the folder slid easily across it, coming to rest right at the tips of my fingers. I nearly ripped the damn folder in my haste to get to its contents.
“You’ll want to have your people look over it, too, but I wanted to get you in here in person to discuss it.” His eyes glinted with satisfaction as he watched me pore over the contract.
All the moisture that should’ve been in my mouth was missing when I was done scanning the contract.
Gabrielle was right. The man hadn’t called without being absolutely sure that he had me dead to rights. He had beat every single one of my other offers. And then some.
“Like I said, I spoke to the bean counters, and I think that we’ll be able to make this happen. We believe that we’ll be able to pull the funds together if we make a few of the planned changes. I’m sure you would have noticed that the other terms are also far more favorable than most of the other contracts.”
My heart hammered in my chest. Sure, I’d have my people look it over, but I was pretty damn sure that it was going to come out on top of the pile of offers I had waiting on my agent’s desk.
Richard insisted on going over every term of the contract with me, pointing out various clauses that the team deemed non-negotiable and others that were pretty standard. He was right about it being more favorable than the others to me all around.
“Of course, we’ve already had it sent over to your people. We need an answer from you within the next few days.” He got up, indicating that our meeting had come to an end.
“Sure, I’ll do you one better and have your answer for you by tomorrow.” I meant it. Before I went over to Gabrielle’s, I was calling a meeting with my team. This decision was being made today, even if it took the rest of the day and all night.
I already knew what I wanted to do, and unless they could give me a damn compelling reason n
ot to take it, it was a done deal as far as I was concerned. My team worked for me, after all.
So ultimately, the decision rested with me. I didn’t believe that there was anything hidden or untoward about the offer, but I’d have them check it like the good boy that I wasn’t, and then send them to hell in a handbasket if they tried to stand in my way.
“Glad to hear it. You’re an asset to this team, James. We would hate to lose you. I hope that you make the right decision.” He knew me well enough to know that my mind was 100 percent made up, barring something seriously fucked up being hidden in the jargon.
Richard grinned as we shook hands. “Thanks, Rich, I think that I will.”
I got ready to leave and was already headed for the door when we were interrupted by a curt knock. Olivia didn’t wait for an answer before throwing open the door, a seriously pissed-off looking Gabrielle in tow.
What in the actual fuck? What’s going on here?
Gabrielle’s expression changed as soon as she spotted me standing in the office with Richard. She looked just as confused as I was. Her eyes flitted between me, Richard, and Olivia. Her features tightened with apprehension.
Richard, on the other hand, looked furious. “Olivia, interrupting a meeting is unacceptable. Gabrielle, I’m wrapping up here. Whatever is going on, it can wait five more seconds. You cannot show up and demand to see me immediately. We’ve had this talk, and I don’t recall seeing an appointment with you on my calendar for today.”
The vein in his temple throbbed, and heat rose from under his collar.
Olivia looked flustered. Then she met Richard’s eyes, her jaw set in a determined line and her shoulders squared. She straightened her pencil skirt, took a deep breath, and stammered into her explanation.
“I do apologize, sir. I know that I’m not to interrupt meetings. I didn’t let Gabrielle convince me to let her in immediately. I called her and asked her to come in. I simply thought that it was best to apprise you of this situation immediately while they were both here.”
