by Leigh Hays
They ordered lunch quickly and talked about the weather before Li Jing leaned forward and said, “I want you to come work with me.”
Silently cheering but outwardly calm, Lindsey took a sip of water. “I already do.”
“Not like this. I’m offering you a job.”
Lindsey pasted on a smile. “I have a job.” But a little glimmer of hope sparked inside her.
“True.” She sipped her water and raised her eyebrow. “But for how long?” She’d seen the office, and she knew. She hadn’t survived this long in the business without reading the signs.
Lindsey leaned back and told the truth. “I’m not sure.”
“Let me help you before it’s too late.” She folded her hands and proceeded to lay out her proposal. Lindsey would come on as a full partner, bringing as many clients as she wanted. Her starting salary would be twice what she was making now.
“Would I need to relocate?”
“Is that a deal breaker for you?”
A month ago, Lindsey would have said no. But her relationship with Rebekiah had taken a new turn and felt too fragile to walk away from. For the first time in her life, she felt at home with someone, and she didn’t want to risk losing that. She took a deep breath and said, “Yes.”
Li Jing took a long look at her. “I see.” The server returned with their meals, and Li Jing waited until she left before saying, “Did you know that I’ve been married three times?”
Lindsey shook her head. She knew Li Jing had been married but not to whom or how often.
“The first one was a mistake. Joseph and I were from two different worlds. And the third I caught cheating on me. But Wen…That one was my fault. I let him slip away. We’re difficult women, you and I. Guarded exteriors. We don’t let people in.” She leaned in and smiled. “But when we do, it’s worth it. I’m happy for you.”
Lindsey returned her smile.
“Then let’s think a bit more creatively.”
They parted ways at the restaurant with a handshake and Li Jing’s three words: “Let me know.”
Lindsey returned to the office and found Rebekiah wandering the reception area, peering at the pictures along the walls. Even though they had spent every night of the last two weeks together, she got a thrill seeing her. Rebekiah paused at the one closest to the elevator and leaned in; a strand of hair flopped forward.
Lindsey stepped forward and tucked the stray curl behind Rebekiah’s ear. “Did you get my text?”
“Yeah. I was in the area, so I thought I’d drop in.” She pointed at the mix of historic and contemporary Providence photographs. Rebekiah steered her toward the last picture. “I want to show you something.” It was a picture of Waterfire from several years ago. She pointed to the crowd. The focus was clear enough to see individuals seated along the wall and on the walkway but not distinct enough to detect facial features. “That’s me.” She indicated a group of people to the far right of the picture. “And Emma.” Her finger moved along the group. “Elena. Neil. And I don’t know her. Oh, and Wyatt.” She sighed and smiled. “She was my first girlfriend.” She turned to Lindsey with a grin and added, “College.”
Lindsey stared at a group so indistinct that the only reason Rebekiah recognized anyone was because she’d been there. “That’s so funny.” She kissed her cheek. Slipping her hand into hers, she pulled them toward her office. “Come on.” Rebekiah followed and sat in the seating area. Lindsey took a seat across from her. “I was offered a job.”
“Congratulations.” Her features dimmed at Lindsey’s expression. “Or not.”
“It’s in Hong Kong.” Lindsey glanced at her hands.
Rebekiah leaned back. “Oh.” She crossed her arms. “Do you want to take it?”
Lindsey looked up and sighed. “I don’t know if I can with everything that’s going on with Cathryn and the firm. But it gets me out of the limelight and back to work.” She wasn’t cut out to run her own firm, and she didn’t want to hold on to the reins of a dying horse. Better to be done with it quickly. Li Jing wasn’t just offering her a lifeline, she was giving her a way up and out of this mess.
Rebekiah smiled. “You didn’t answer the question.”
Lindsey reached out. Rebekiah took her hands. Lindsey gently shook her and locked eyes. “I know. Two months ago, I would have jumped at the chance. It’s the best career move I can make after all that’s happened. But now…” She looked at their joined hands and shook her head. “Now, I don’t want to lose what we have by picking up and heading halfway around the world.”
“It’s not a zero-sum game.” Rebekiah smiled. “Besides, I can do my work anywhere.”
Lindsey frowned. She didn’t want Rebekiah to give up her life. That was no way to start a partnership. “But your studio…”
Rebekiah shrugged. “It’s nice, but I can rent space anywhere. You, on the other hand, not so much.”
Lindsey shook her head. Rebekiah had always taken her as she was, and even now, Rebekiah knew that to keep her might mean she had to let her go. No one ever understood that about her until Rebekiah. “What about Sera?”
Rebekiah smiled. “You’ll have to ask her, but she’s got dual citizenship in the UK.”
Lindsey smiled. This was what love was. She leaned in and whispered before kissing her, “I love you.”
About the Author
Leigh wrote her first story in a spiral notebook at the age of five and she never stopped pretending. She grew up in three of the four corners of the US before heading to college. Despite the warnings that doing so would make her a lesbian, she went to a women’s college.
She lives and works in upstate New York with her wife, son, and two Siamese cats, Percival and Galahad. When she’s not writing, reading, or parenting, she’s tabletop gaming with a crew of like-minded nerds.
Books Available From Bold Strokes Books
Brooklyn Summer by Maggie Cummings. When opposites attract, can a summer of passion and adventure lead to a lifetime of love? (978-1-63555-578-3)
City Kitty and Country Mouse by Alyssa Linn Palmer. Pulled in two different directions, can a city kitty and a country mouse fall in love and make it work? (978-1-63555-553-0)
Elimination by Jackie D. When a dangerous homegrown terrorist seeks refuge with the Russian mafia, the team will be put to the ultimate test. (978-1-63555-570-7)
In the Shadow of Darkness by Nicole Stiling. Angeline Vallencourt is a reluctant vampire who must decide what she wants more—obscurity, revenge, or the woman who makes her feel alive. (978-1-63555-624-7)
On Second Thought by C. Spencer. Madisen is falling hard for Rae. Even single life and co-parenting are beginning to click. At least, that is, until her ex-wife begins to have second thoughts. (978-1-63555-415-1)
Out of Practice by Carsen Taite. When attorney Abby Keane discovers the wedding blogger tormenting her client is the woman she had a passionate, anonymous vacation fling with, sparks and subpoenas fly. Legal Affairs: one law firm, three best friends, three chances to fall in love. (978-1-63555-359-8)
Providence by Leigh Hays. With every click of the shutter, photographer Rebekiah Kearns finds it harder and harder to keep Lindsey Blackwell in focus without getting too close. (978-1-63555-620-9)
Taking a Shot at Love by KC Richardson. When academic and athletic worlds collide, will English professor Celeste Bouchard and basketball coach Lisa Tobias ignore their attraction to achieve their professional goals? (978-1-63555-549-3)
Flight to the Horizon by Julie Tizard. Airline captain Kerri Sullivan and flight attendant Janine Case struggle to survive an emergency water landing and overcome dark secrets to give love a chance to fly. (978-1-63555-331-4)
In Helen’s Hands by Nanisi Barrett D’Arnuk. As her mistress, Helen pushes Mickey to her sensual limits, delivering the pleasure only a BDSM lifestyle can provide her. (978-1-63555-639-1)
Jamis Bachman, Ghost Hunter by Jen Jensen. In Sage Creek, Utah, a poltergeist stirs to life and past secrets emerge. (978-1-63555-605-
6)
Moon Shadow by Suzie Clarke. Add betrayal, season with survival, then serve revenge smokin’ hot with a sharp knife. (978-1-63555-584-4)
Spellbound by Jean Copeland and Jackie D. When the supernatural worlds of good and evil face off, love might be what saves them all. (978-1-63555-564-6)
Temptation by Kris Bryant. Can experienced nanny Cassie Miller deny her growing attraction and keep her relationship with her boss professional? Or will they sidestep propriety and give in to temptation? (978-1-63555-508-0)
The Inheritance by Ali Vali. Family ties bring Tucker Delacroix and Willow Vernon together, but they could also tear them, and any chance they have at love, apart. (978-1-63555-303-1)
Thief of the Heart by MJ Williamz. Kit Hanson makes a living seducing rich women in casinos and relieving them of the expensive jewelry most won’t even miss. But her streak ends when she meets beautiful FBI agent Savannah Brown. (978-1-63555-572-1)
Face Off by PJ Trebelhorn. Hockey player Savannah Wells rarely spends more than a night with any one woman, but when photographer Madison Scott buys the house next door, she’s forced to rethink what she expects out of life. (978-1-63555-480-9)
Hot Ice by Aurora Rey, Elle Spencer, and Erin Zak. Can falling in love melt the hearts of the iciest ice queens? Join Aurora Rey, Elle Spencer, and Erin Zak to find out! A contemporary romance novella collection. (978-1-63555-513-4)
Line of Duty by VK Powell. Dr. Dylan Carlyle’s professional and personal life is turned upside down when a tragic event at Fairview Station pits her against ambitious, handsome police officer Finley Masters. (978-1-63555-486-1)
London Undone by Nan Higgins. London Craft reinvents her life after reading a childhood letter to her future self and, in doing so, finds the love she truly wants. (978-1-63555-562-2)
Lunar Eclipse by Gun Brooke. Moon De Cruz lives alone on an uninhabited planet after being shipwrecked in space. Her life changes forever when Captain Beaux Lestarion’s arrival threatens the planet and Moon’s freedom. (978-1-63555-460-1)
One Small Step by MA Binfield. In this contemporary romance, Iris and Cam discover the meaning of taking chances and following your heart, even if it means getting hurt. (978-1-63555-596-7)
Shadows of a Dream by Nicole Disney. Rainn has the talent to take her rock band all the way, but falling in love is a powerful distraction, and her new girlfriend’s meth addiction might just take them both down. (978-1-63555-598-1)
Someone to Love by Jenny Frame. When Davina Trent is given an unexpected family, can she let nanny Wendy Darling teach her to open her heart to the children and to Wendy? (978-1-63555-468-7)
Uncharted by Robyn Nyx. As Rayne Marcellus and Chase Stinsen track the legendary Golden Trinity, they must learn to put their differences aside and depend on one another to survive. (978-1-63555-325-3)
Where We Are by Annie McDonald. A sensual account of two women who discover a way to walk on the same path together with the help of an Indigenous tale, a Canadian art movement, and the mysterious appearance of dimes. (978-1-63555-581-3)
BOLDSTROKESBOOKS.COM
Looking for your next great read?
Visit BOLDSTROKESBOOKS.COM
to browse our entire catalog of paperbacks, ebooks, and audiobooks.
Want the first word on what’s new?
Visit our website for event info,
author interviews, and blogs.
Subscribe to our free newsletter for sneak peeks,
new releases, plus first notice of promos
and daily bargains
SIGN UP AT
BOLDSTROKESBOOKS.COM/signup
