Page 43 of Return on Love

“Apparently, he has proof.” Lily was silent for a while. “Your clients are fine, right? The ones you took on when you were with Bernard?”

I remember Weber telling Ryan that one of my clients is in a mess. Shit. I’ve been so busy with MooreGames that I’ve not been in touch with some of them over the past few weeks.

“I’ll check on all of them right now. I won’t let Bernard get in trouble. Not because of me.”

“Um. I also heard rumors that Neil’s client, CashCross, is almost sure to get the funding. He has already sent the presentation. Gordon said it looks very promising and sound. It could be one of our biggest deals yet.”

“Thanks, Lily. Let me see what I can do. How’s Don?”

I can almost hear Lily smiling as she replies. “Don’s good. I’m glad I didn’t go for the surgery. Yesterday, he barked his head off when he saw a Labrador. I think he doesn’t like that breed. But he misses you and so do I.”

“Give him a big hug and a small bone from me, will you?”

“And how’s Ryan Moore?” Lily asks in a teasing tone. “Since you haven’t called or messaged me all week, I’m assuming you’ve patched things up. Bet it’s getting really hot out there?”

“Shut up, girl. We’ve all just been working.”

“Is he still getting desserts for you? And does he get for everyone or just you?”

I’ve thought about it myself and I’m not sure. I haven’t seen others eating them or even talking about them. Gabriel eats when he and I are working together. But the day before, when Ryan had got the strawberry chocolates, Gabriel gave me a confused look when I said something about them. A smile comes over my lips.

“I don’t know,” I say. “Even if he gets for me, it’s probably because he wants to keep me happy to help with his chances of funding.”

“Yeah, yeah. I get it. Is he keeping you happy in other ways as well?”

“Oh, sweet heavens! You’re impossible. Now, I’ve got work to do. I’ll be back in a week. See you then.”

My mind goes back to the kiss that we shared, but didn’t really complete. The hunger that I’d felt in the movement of his lips as he devoured mine. I shake my head and force out the thoughts that Lily has put in my head. What am I thinking? He said it was a mistake. That’s all it was for him.

My cheeks burn up a little as I remember last night. My stupid mouth asking him to come in and he refusing. How much further down will I go? He might not detest me now, but he obviously doesn’t like me enough. There’s no way a guy refuses an invitation to come over to a girl’s apartment unless he absolutely wants nothing sexual with that person. I’m embarrassed just thinking about it, about how desperate I might’ve seemed.

I’m actually glad he didn’t. I’m here just for a week more. Getting into his pants would’ve complicated things, he being a client and all. I’ve never been a one-night-stand girl and maybe it’s for the best not to start now. Just keep it simple.

I gulp down my lukewarm coffee and set about calling all my clients. Work! That’s what my focus is. I don’t wanna face Dad tomorrow and have some problems at the work front.

Luckily, my clients are totally cool with me hitting them up on Saturdays. Not having a life is sometimes a good thing, I guess. I’ve pulled so many weekend work stints, calling one client or the other for some information that it’s not a shocker when they receive my call.

One by one, I ask each of them about details and updates. I maintain a detailed overview report for each client, which keeps me on top of what they’ve been doing, their plans, their issues and their promises. Nothing seems untoward until I call James, the founder and CEO of JRT Finances. They were planning to launch an app where people could crowdsource funds for their needs. The tech was ready, but we needed to ensure proper documentation for the protection of both parties before launching. I’m surprised, or somewhat shocked, to know he launched the app two days ago.

“Your documents are in place? Why didn’t you send me a copy?”

“I did. To Bernard. I didn’t mark you because I was told you might not be working with us anymore.”

Wow! Who’s spreading such rumors? I can’t ask him, though. It’d be weird. “Are the documents vetted by the legal team?”

“There were some minor issues, but Bernard sent me an email to launch the app, saying that he’d get the issues sorted out in the meantime. He said there’s some partner meeting, and he needed to show movement before that. It made sense and I couldn’t say no to him.”

“Are you certain it was Bernard? Can you forward me that email?”

I can sense James’ hesitation. “I’m still with the firm, James, and your point of contact. Also, if you haven’t received the go-ahead from the legal team, please deactivate the app. Do it right away. It could get both our companies in trouble.”

“You sure? Should I email or talk to Bernard before that?”

“No. No need for that. Bernard told me. He was thinking the legal will give the go-ahead by now, but they haven’t. So you need to stop the roll-out. Now!”

Fortunately, no other clients have any issues. I call Bernard on his cell. It’s switched off.

The doorbell rings just as I see the pop-up showing that James has forwarded me an email.

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