Page 111 of Love in Fine Print

He was even talking about reaching out to his dad, Owen, to tell him he knew the truth and to thank him for raising him despite the circumstances.

I was glad that he was at peace with things. And also happy that he was considering returning to a game he obviously loved.But I worried, what would happen to Ever After if he did decide to play again. He was committed to the eighteen months, but after that, would the business I loved so much close?

“Olivia?”

When I heard George say my name, I realized I’d totally zoned out. I blinked, and when I looked around, I saw that the entire conference room of about twenty-five people was staring at me.

“Do you want to say something?” George asked expectantly.

I was doing a quick word search in my subconscious for context clues to figure out what he was asking me to comment on. The last thing I remembered was him discussing client referrals; since I led the firm in them, maybe he’d asked me to speak about that.

My eyes cut to Trevor, who was smiling widely at me. I searched his gaze and silently begged him for a clue as to what I needed to say.

With the ease of a professional ventriloquist, he did not move his lips as he whispered, “You just made partner.”

I took in a short intake of breath as my brain comprehended the information I’d just been given. My eyes scanned the room as I did my best to cover. “Sorry, I’m just in a little bit of shock.”

“Oh, come on.” George bellowed, “You had to see it coming! No one deserves it more!”

That was true. No one deserved it more. But it was also true that the two men who had made partner before me had the announcements made during dinners in their honor. I didn’t miss the fact that my announcement was made at the tail end of a throwaway meeting.

Calista, George’s assistant, handed out flutes of champagne as the group began to chant, “Speech! Speech! Speech!”

I stared down at the glass that was now in my hand and tried to come up with the right words. I couldn’t. “Sorry, I’m just a little…I don’t know what to say.”

“Take your time, you’ve earned it!” Trevor enthused loudly as he hugged me and whispered in my ear, “If you are going to go all Jerry Maguire, call me Renee Zellweger because I’m coming with you.”

Jerry Maguire? Did he mean leave? Is that what I wanted to do?

My head had not been in my work since I got back. I spent more time messaging Ben to find out what was going on at home with Dolly, Peanut Butter, Jelly, and Ever After than I did on my cases. That was an exaggeration, but only a slight one.

I was still doing my job. I was representing my clients to the best of my ability, but I could absolutely care less about the politics of the office. I’d actually forgotten that they would be announcing partner. It hadn’t even crossed my mind since I came back to work.

When Trevor’s arms released from around me, I smiled at the room at large. “Thank you. I am honored for the opportunity. I will definitely consider the role.”

Everyone’s faces froze in surprise as I turned and walked out of the room.

Trevor was right behind me. As we walked toward my office, I could hear him repeating, “I knew it. I knew it,” under his breath.

That made one of us. I had no clue what I was going to do. I wasn’t about to throw away a career opportunity I’d spent years working for… at least not without a lot of thought. My entire career, I’d had one goal in mind. But now that it was in my grasp, I wasn’t even sure why I’d wanted it in the first place.

When we got into my office, my phone buzzed. I looked down and saw it was a text from George telling me I could take theweekend, but on Monday, he wanted an answer before the offer would be rescinded.

Two days. That was how long I had to decide what the next two decades of my life would be like. I had a lot of thinking to do.

48

BEN

I had just pulledthe roast out of the oven and set it on the stovetop when I heard Dolly’s nails scratch on the hardwood floors as she raced toward the front door indicating Olivia was home. I quickly glanced around to make sure everything was set.

Candles. Check.

Wine. Check.

Flowers. Check.

When Trevor texted me earlier that they were going to announce the new partner today, I decided to make a special dinner. I figured if she got it, we could celebrate, and if she didn’t, we could commiserate. Either way, tonight was about her.

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