Page 26 of Strictly Business

“It been there a while, huh? You didn’t have it on last time we FaceTimed, either.”

“There was an issue with one of the diamonds after I got it cleaned last time,” I shrugged. I don’t think she believed me and I’m surprised she didn’t push harder. Jennifer Davis is anything but subtle, she will not hesitate to ask a million questions until she’s satisfied she has gotten the whole story. So, why was she holding back? Unfortunately (or probably fortunately), Dad interrupted our conversation, requesting my presence in the garage. He wanted to show me the new lawn mower he’d rebuilt.

“He still wants you to sell the condo and split the profit,” Elias says from across the table. We agreed to meet at the coffee shop down the street from his office trying to make a sad situation a little less…sad. Did it work? Not really, but I’m not one to say no to free coffee and pastries.

“That’s bullshit!” I lean forward in the plastic chair. “I bought that condo on my own. Just because his name is on the deed doesn’t mean he has a right to—”

“Legally, it kind of does. According to him, you were having talks about selling anyway.”

“Elias, that was before he decided to move to Washington permanently. We talked about selling or renting it out and buying a bigger place together.”

Elias shrugs, “Don’t shoot the messenger. David seems to think he has a claim to whatever profits you’ll make on selling and wants it sold.”

“All of this over a stupid ring? He’s going to come after everything I own until I give it back.”

“I told you this might get ugly,” he says simply, taking a sip of coffee. “You’ve insisted on holding onto that ring.”

“Isn’t there anything you can do? I mean, can’t you talk to his lawyer, get them to understand—”

“I’ve already tried that, Michaela. The only way to make this go away is to hand over that ring in its entirety and sell the condo.”

“You see that email from Nina?” Finn asks walking back into the office with two coffees from Five & Dime downstairs. Damn, two coffees this late in the day? Seems a little excessive, but okay. I watch suspiciously as he walks towards me, setting the extra one in front of me, and goes to sit down like he didn’t just set a ticking time bomb in front of me.

“What is this?”

He takes a sip and raises it towards me, “It’s this thing called a coffee. Typically thought of as a morning beverage, but can also be enjoyed throughout the day.”

“I know that, you smartass. I meant, why did you put one in front of me?”

“Figured you needed one, you looked like you were about to fall asleep.”

My eyes narrow. “Did you poison it?”

“Now, there’s an idea I hadn’t thought of.”

“Asshole,” I mumble, finally taking possession of the warm beverage.

“Did you see the email?”

“There’s no email.”

“This is why I got the coffee.” He quirks an eyebrow as he sits back in his chair and points towards my computer, “3:26, check your email.”

I roll my eyes finally taking a sip — latte, vanilla latte. Basic, safe, but one of my favorites. Toggling towards my email, I see that he’s right, there is an email from twenty minutes ago. Subject: Monday.

Shit.

Chapter Twelve

MICHAELA

I SHOULDN'T BE THIS nervous, but the butterflies in my stomach don't seem to understand that. They've been fluttering since I got the email on Friday…

Kai and I will be in town on the 12th, we'll want to see how things are going. Be ready first thing. - N

It's not like this is the first time I've had to present my work to Nina, but something about it feels different. Not to mention, it’s only been a week since I took over. Even less since Finn started cooperating if you can call it that. Why couldn’t he be so cooperative from the start? Don’t get me wrong, Finn Sheffield is still as rotten as ever. Our time together hasn’t exactly been pleasant, but it hasn’t been as bad as I anticipated either, and he’s been putting in the effort, now.

"Huh, I was sure I'd beat you this morning," the smooth voice wraps around me, and goosebumps rise across my bare arms. Looking up from my screen, the wings in my stomach flutter even faster, but for an entirely different reason. The blue and white striped dress shirt exposes the strength in his arms normally hidden beneath a jacket. Pale yellow suspenders bare down on his broad shoulders, desperately clinging to the waist of his gray slacks. My fingers involuntarily curl around nothing as the dark blue paisley tie begs to be ripped from his neck. "You okay, Shortcake?"

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