Jamie hid her face behind a bag of takeout, but there was no hiding her hair. I’d barely undone the latch when she started talking. “I come bearing gifts. I know you’ve had a long few days after getting back, but everybody needs to eat, and I haven’t seen you for a week.”
I opened the door wider, grinning as I pulled her in for a hug. “Seeing you is gift enough. But the food helps.” I snatched the food right out of her hands. “This smells delicious. Please tell me it’s what I think it is.”
“If you think it’s fresh tagliatelle pasta from the place that finishes it off in the cheese wheel, then it is what you think it is.”
“Have I told you lately that you’re my all-time favorite person?” I inhaled deeply, getting another whiff of creamy, cheesy pasta.
“You have, but it’s always good to hear it.” She laughed, following me inside and shutting the door behind her. “So, how was the weekend? Are you a star rider now?”
“If by star rider, you mean that I can safely sit on a horse and get it to stop when I need it to, then yes, I’m a star rider.” I motioned toward the living room. “Have a seat. I’ll get us something to drink.”
I got the containers out of the bag and carried them, along with two bottles of water, back to the sofa. We snapped the wooden forks off the tops of the containers, tucking our legs underneath us while we ate.
“I don’t think Hailey is going to use horses in her wedding anymore,” I said around a mouthful of food.
“Oh yeah?”
I shrugged. “She was on a horse for a few hours on Friday, but that was it.”
“Did she hurt herself?”
“No, nothing happened,” I said. “Like she didn’t fall or anything. She just didn’t seem to like it very much.”
“Well, that’s fair enough. Not everyone needs to like everything.” She swallowed a bite of her pasta. “It just sucks that you took a whole weekend to go away with her and then ended up not riding. What did you do instead? Were there at least some cute shops around?”
I flashed her a coy smile. “Just because she didn’t ride doesn’t mean I didn’t. She spent the entire weekend in bed or on the phone. I, on the other hand, enjoyed the fresh air and the company.”
“What company?” She frowned. “I thought Hailey was on the phone all weekend?”
“She was, but there was this horse guy.”
She laughed. “What, like a centaur?”
“I have no idea what that is, weirdo,” I said with a giggle.
“Duh, a half-horse, half-man creature from Greek mythology?”
A mental image of Harrison played in my mind. “If he’s anything from a Greek myth, he’s one of the gods.”
She grinned and leaned closer. “Okay, that’s way more interesting. Tell me everything. What did he smell like?”
“I don’t know,” I said, laughing. “Like a man, I guess.”
“Super hot. Go on.”
“He took me out riding on some trails. Showed me a few things.”
She barked a laughed. “Oh, I bet he did.”
“Shut up. It was fun getting to know him.”
She leaned forward, her gaze glued to mine. “Just how well did you get to know him? I saw that look on your face just now, young lady.”
Heat raced to my cheeks, but I didn’t look away. While I wasn’t about to go into the finer, more intimate details, I wasn’t ashamed of what had happened between Harrison and me.
“Let’s just say that we got along well enough that I spent Saturday night with him.” I smiled as I thought back to how sweet he’d been on Sunday morning. “I like him. He’s a nice guy. A good one, too.”
She studied my expression before breaking out into a wide grin. “If you’re still so smiley four days later, I bet he’s good in more ways than one. What’s his name? Do you have any dick pics?”
I laughed, nearly choking on my next bite while I was at it. Reaching for my water, I took a long sip before finally shaking my head. “Nope, none of those. Sorry. His name is Harrison. I should’ve gotten a picture of him—a regular picture—but my mind wasn’t exactly on my phone when I was with him.”
She playfully pouted. “No pictures? You mean I have to use my imagination like a caveman? Fine, you’ll just have to describe him to me then. Don’t leave anything out. How big around is it? I’m all about girth these days.”
I ignored that detail and described his hazel eyes and thick dark hair, his muscular physique and tanned skin. There was no doubt in my mind that my face got all dreamy while I spoke, describing the easy way he controlled the horses and how gentle he was while he taught me.
Eventually, she laughed at me and wet her fingers in her glass to flick some water on me.
“Cool down, girl. Your hot riding instructor is too far away for a booty call.” Her blue eyes twinkled as she crinkled her nose. “Besides, you can’t show up for work tomorrow morning in today’s clothes and smelling like the great outdoors.”
I sighed. “You’re right, but it is damn tempting to drive out there just to see him again. I’ve never clicked with anyone the way I did with him.”
“What did Hailey think about him?” she asked. “Did you get a lecture about how you should be looking for a guy who can provide for you?”
“No. I don’t even think she noticed him or that I wasn’t around much.” My heart still gave a pang whenever I thought about all that time I could’ve spent with my sister before she got married. “She did exactly what I thought she would do. If it hadn’t been for Harrison, I’d have spent the entire weekend basically by myself.”
Sympathy crept into her eyes but when she blinked, it was gone. She sat up straighter with a determined expression on her face. “It’s her loss. I’m not going to let you sit here and obsess over the what-ifs. She was lousy company this past weekend, but Harrison was great. You clicked and you ended up having a good weekend even without your sister around.”
“I know.” I breathed in deeply through my nostrils and put Hailey’s disinterest behind me. It wasn’t that difficult. I’d had plenty of practice, after all. “Honestly? I just wish the wedding would be over already. I’m more than ready to get back to my life.”
“It’ll be over soon,” she said, trying and failing to sound encouraging. “On the bright side, I’ve got a guy you can take to the wedding with you. I’ve met him a few times now. He works for one of my suppliers. I think you two would really hit it off.”
“Thanks, but I might already have a date,” I said, thinking back to Harrison’s offer. “I’ve been trying not to think about it too much because I still don’t know if I can take him up on it, but Harrison actually said he’d come with me.”
“Hot riding instructor Harrison?” Her eyes shone with excitement, her grin growing even wider than it’d been before. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me? That’s fantastic. You have to take him up on it. He wouldn’t have offered if he didn’t want to go with you.”
“Hailey and my mom are hoping I’ll meet someone at the wedding,” I said. “I’m worried that if I take him, Mom will spend the night interrogating him about when we’re getting married. That’s not to mention that Hailey knows what he does for a living. Someone might be rude to him about it.”
“Taking him will be a nice break for you from all the rich pricks who will be there,” she said. “Besides, if he can handle a horse, he can handle your nag of a mother. Or whoever else.”
“That’s almost exactly what he said.” I finished my food and popped the used fork and napkin back into the container. “I don’t know. It just feels like a massive favor to ask someone I’ve just met. We don’t even really know each other all that well.”
“So?” She shrugged. “Get to know him if it will make you feel better about it. It sounds like you’ll have fun if he’s there with you and that’s all that really matters. Why would you take a date you wouldn’t have fun with?”
I glanced absently at the TV, watching the banner running under the
screen without really paying much attention to it. Finally, I looked back at her. “Is it really fair to him, though? I might have fun if he’s there, but he might not have fun being there.”
She set her container down next to mine, then picked up her water before settling back on the couch. “I’ll tell you what isn’t fair. Automatically thinking that you can’t take him up on an offer he made to take you on a date he obviously wants to take you on.”
I laughed. “Well, when you put it that way…”
“Wanting to get to know him better is fine, but don’t just say no because you’re afraid it might not be the best night out for him ever.”
“So what you’re suggesting is that I call him up, talk to him until I’m sure he’s not a killer or one of those people who farts just before they get off the elevator, and then say yes. Even if it’ll feel like it’s leading a lamb to slaughter?”
“If he’s a lamb, he may not be the guy for you,” she joked, laughing before she arched a brow at me. “The real and only question is whether you want him there. If you do, call him, get to know him better, and then say yes.”
“I may just do that,” I said, nodding slowly. “What’s the worst that can happen?”
Famous last words.
15
HARRISON
A sudden commotion outside my office made me look up from the financial statements I’d been combing over. Agatha’s voice, while usually soft and respectful, carried from her desk in my outer office—and she didn’t sound happy.
“Excuse me, sir,” she said indignantly. “I just told you that you can’t go in there. You don’t have an appointment.”
A deeper, unfamiliar voice replied. Although it wasn’t as loud as hers, I could still make out what he was saying. “I just told you that I don’t care. We don’t need an appointment. This is an urgent matter and Mr. Hynes will want to see us.”
Mr. Hynes wasn’t so sure he wanted to see anyone right then, but I couldn’t deny that I was curious. I’d never received a surprise visitor who claimed not to need an appointment. Pushing my chair away from my desk, I stood up and walked over to the door.
When I opened it, a man in an ill-fitting suit was the one arguing with Agatha. Behind him stood a man I did recognize. It was none other than Bernard Hilton, who I honestly hadn’t thought I’d ever see again.
“What is the meaning of this?” I asked quietly but authoritatively.
Agatha and the cheap suit stopped arguing immediately, both of their heads snapping around to face me. Since I actually cared about her well-being, I turned to my receptionist first.
Her cheeks were flushed, and her mouth was set into a hard line, but otherwise, she seemed fine. Regardless, I decided to check with her before paying any attention whatsoever to the man trying to strong-arm his way into my office.
“Are you okay?” I asked, noticing that her breathing had already slowed.
She patted the side of her hair as if to make sure it hadn’t come out of her bun before she nodded. “I’m fine, Mr. Hynes. Thank you. These gentlemen simply won’t take no for an answer.”
My former employee gave me a grin that was surprisingly smug for a man in his position. “It’s good to see you again, Mr. Hynes. This is Andrew Beard, my lawyer.”
Some staff members passing by had stopped to watch the stir these two were causing. The lawyer and his cheap suit took a step closer to me, but neither offered me his hand.
“We’re here to discuss the lawsuit Mr. Hilton intends to file against you,” he said, clearly believing that he had the upper hand if the satisfied gleam in his eyes was anything to go by. “I suggest you take the meeting, even if we didn’t make an appointment.”
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
Yeah, he definitely thinks he has me.
If only old Bernard would’ve shared the tip I’d given him on the day I fired him with his lawyer, perhaps he’d have dialed it down a notch. As things were, however, both of them looked like they firmly believed they had me by the balls.
Ignoring the lawyer’s statement for a minute, I turned back to Agatha. “This won’t take very long. Let me save these gentlemen and the company some time in the long run and take the meeting.”
“I can still call security,” Agatha said.
“Thank you, Agatha, but I can handle this. Can you push my schedule back by fifteen minutes?”
“Yes, sir.” She dipped her head in a nod, not even trying to hide the way her lips had tilted up into a small, amused smile. “I’m assuming those fifteen minutes includes time for the coffee you’ll have once you’ve set them straight?”
“Indeed.” I returned her smile—briefly—before stepping back into my office and gesturing for them to follow me. “Let’s get this over with, gentlemen.”
Agatha came out from around her desk to close the door but paused to peer at me through the crack just before she did. “Would you like me to contact someone from legal to sit in, sir?”
“That won’t be necessary. You don’t need to offer them anything to drink, either. They won’t be staying long.” I glanced at the two men sitting awkwardly in the visitors’ chairs in front of my desk. “Unless you’d like something to go? I’m sure that can be arranged.”
Andrew scowled at me, setting his tattered briefcase down on his knees and unsnapping the clips. “We’re here to discuss the only thing we want from you. Refreshments won’t be necessary. We have a celebratory drink planned once we leave.”
I shrugged and nodded to Agatha. “There you have it. You can get my coffee ready in the meantime. Thank you.”
After nodding again, still smiling, she shut the door and left us to it. I turned slowly, taking my time as I made my way over to my desk. There was no need to rush. I could let them stew in their own juices for a minute and still be done with this shit with more than enough time to spare before my next meeting.
Bernard seemed to have lost a couple of pounds in the weeks since I’d last seen him, his suit almost as baggy now as his lawyer’s. Despite the smug expression he was still wearing, he seemed nervous. His fingers were fidgeting in his lap and his face was pale.
The lawyer also seemed to be trying to project confidence, but now that he was in my office, there was sweat beading his forehead and his hands trembled slightly when he lifted a sheaf of papers out of his briefcase.
“Well, gentlemen,” I said once I sat down and folded my hands loosely on top of my desk. “What can I do for you?”
They exchanged a look before Andrew sat forward. He smacked the papers he’d taken out down on the desktop and pushed them in my direction. “We’re here to discuss the wrongful termination lawsuit we’ll be filing against the Hynes Group, as well as the action we’re considering taking against you in your personal capacity for besmirching my client’s good name.”
I nodded slowly. “Interesting. Tell me, what are your grounds for wrongful termination and how exactly did I besmirch Mr. Hilton’s good name?”
Andrew’s brow puckered. “What are our grounds? You fired this man without any wrongdoing on his part. You misled him and ambushed him in his office, and we have it on good authority that you started the rumors currently circulating that he’s dishonest.”
“He is dishonest,” I said casually. “It’s a free country. If Mr. Hilton would like to file a lawsuit, he’s more than welcome to do so. We’ll look forward to litigating any issues you may raise in a court of law.”
“If that happens, your company’s reputation goes down the drain right along with my client’s,” Andrew said. “I’ll personally make sure that the press is there every day to cover the proceedings. You won’t get away with this, and we’ll make sure of it.”
“It’s a lovely day to make threats, isn’t it?” I said, sitting back as I watched both of them wither under my glare. “Let me save you the trouble of calling the press, Mr. Beard. I’ll arrange for my public-relations team to do it for you. They have contacts in every major news outlet from here to A
frica. I can assure you that the details of your client’s behavior will be thoroughly reported on. Now, you still haven’t actually told me what you’ve come here for, and I’m afraid we don’t have much time left.”
A vein popped out right in the center of the man’s forehead and his hands curled into fists on top of his briefcase. “You’re not going to scare us off with your alpha businessman act, Mr. Hynes. We came here to let you know about the lawsuit and discuss a possible settlement before this gets ugly.”
I let him ramble on for a few more minutes about how they were going to come after me and my company and how it was going to end up costing me millions if I didn’t settle right away. He even pulled some more papers out of his briefcase and tossed them across the desk.
“You’re going to sign that agreement stating that you’ll never speak about my client again. There’s a further clause stating that you, personally, will give him a glowing recommendation. It also includes a dollar amount you’re going to pay him for the damages he’s already suffered.”
I laughed loudly in his face. “Which is it then?” I asked, frowning as I glanced down at his agreement without picking it up. “Do you want me never to speak about him again or to give him a recommendation? Giving someone a recommendation involves speaking about them, as I’m sure you know.”
The vein throbbed and the man’s face turned red. “Trying to be a smartass won’t save you from this, Hynes.”
“No, the truth will, Mr. Beard.” I pushed both sets of documents back without reading them. “Let me make this perfectly clear to you. There will be no settlement.”
When he opened his mouth to reply, I held up a hand to cut him off. “Your client was fired for forcing customers to pay him a fee in return for granting their loans. That’s not wrongful termination. What he did was extortion and fraud. Those are crimes, in case you don’t know, counselor. Put the facts in front of a judge and your client is going to jail.”
The attorney shot a quick glance at Hilton, like maybe he hadn’t heard the full story. “This is a civil suit. Nothing criminal about it.”
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