Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 108531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
“I thought we were talking,” she said, opening the door to the apartment and breezing through. Luna’s tail wagged.
“The ethics complaint was dropped.”
“Turns out taking revenge on me was making his new bride anxious, and we can’t have the pregnant princess anxious, can we? So I’m off that particular hook, and I only owe you fifteen grand. I was worried we might get to six figures if it went on too long.”
“I don’t care about the money.”
“It’s easy for you to say because you have all the money.”
“Jayna, I don’t want the money back. I want you to talk to me.”
“Fine. The ethics complaint is gone, and I have a couple of decent job prospects. Is that what you want to hear?”
“Prospects or actual offers?”
“One real prospect, but as long as the interview goes well, I’ve been assured the offer will follow,” she admitted. “It’s a small firm in Dallas. There are two partners, and they’re looking for a third to take over corporate contracts. Apparently the man who runs the firm wants more time with his kids, and he’s willing to consider letting me in for sweat equity in a couple of years if things work out.”
Making partner at her age without having to buy in would be an incredible deal for her in a small firm. Although if she wanted a small firm, he wasn’t sure she could get any smaller than his, and he would make her a partner right now.
“What’s the pay?”
“It doesn’t matter,” she replied, opening the cabinet.
“What’s the pay?” He wanted to know what he was up against.
“Six figures plus bonuses for new clients.”
Nope. He couldn’t offer her more than a stake in the business. His real money came from investments and generational wealth. Jayna was a woman who wanted to prove herself, and she couldn’t do that by marrying into money.
“When would you start?”
“I still have to pass the Texas requirements.”
“You could probably take that test tomorrow and pass it.”
“I would ask for a couple of weeks to clear things up here,” she explained. “If I decided to take the job. Quaid, you knew I was looking.”
“I didn’t know you’d already found.” Somehow it felt like she’d kept this from him, like she’d hidden something important.
“I was going to tell you when you came back.”
He was suddenly wondering if she’d meant to tell him in person at all. “Were you, or was I just going to come back to a note explaining you were done with me and the town?”
“It’s not like that. Damn it, Quaid. I never promised I would stay. And I haven’t made a decision yet, but you should know I’m going to Dallas tomorrow. I’ll only be gone for a couple of days but I’ve got to do an in-person interview.”
It felt like his heart was being pulled from his chest because she’d already made the decision. She could say whatever she wanted, but deep down she already knew she was going to leave.
“You aren’t going to ask me to come with you, are you?” He might have to face the fact that his love wasn’t enough.
She closed her eyes for a moment. “I don’t think it would work.”
“Why?”
“I don’t think I fit in your world.”
“You are my world. You don’t have to fit in. You only have to be you.”
She turned her chin up, and he knew he’d lost. “I’m going to Dallas. I’m going to check it out. I’d like to do it alone because I need some time to think. Is it okay for me to stay here or should we go to a motel?”
He moved in, and she didn’t back away. He leaned over, putting his forehead against hers. “I don’t ever want you to go. Anything I have is yours, baby. That won’t change because you can’t love me.”
“Quaid . . .” she began.
“No.” He kissed her forehead and stepped away. “If you’re leaving, I’m not going to keep it in. I’m going to go to my grave loving you. I’ll be here waiting and hoping that you can come back to me because I think deep down you love me, too. It’s the wrong time and the wrong place.”
“I’m coming back.” She sniffled and her eyes were red. “We still have a case to try. Can we talk then? Please?”
“Of course.” But he was fairly certain that the only thing they would be talking about was how to end it.
Quaid turned and walked down the stairs and away from the only woman he would ever love.
chapter fifteen
Quaid sat down at the breakfast table, sliding his cell into his pocket with a sigh.
Paul looked up from his omelet. “Bad news?”
All the news seemed to be bad lately. “No, not really. Jayna texted me earlier that she was finally on the plane. She should be back in time for final arguments.”