Page 180 of Trapped with the Billionaire

“A bit later.”

“Who?”

“Like I said, later. All that matters right now is that you’re here.”

Her gaze was stern. “I’m only here because you ordered me.”

I locked eyes with her. “No, that’s not true. I invited you.”

“You’re holding something over me. That’s why I came.”

We had to get past the concept that she was being coerced.

Maria approached with the usual basket of chips and dishes of salsa, including the red that rarely got eaten.

Yolanda, who often worked the register, brought the Cokes I’d already asked for. She set them down.

“What would you like to eat?” Maria asked Nicole.

I had to concentrate to still my knee, I was so jittery. Everything rode on this meeting.

We both ended up ordering Nicole’s regular choice of chicken tacos, and I added a bowl of guacamole to the order.

Maria and Yolanda retreated to the kitchen.

Nicole took a chip and gestured to the room. “Why this?”

“I wanted to talk to you privately, so you could feel free to yell if you wished.”

I also didn’t want anyone to see me cry if this didn’t pan out.

She finished chewing her chip and took another. “We’ve talked every day, and nothing has changed. Nothing is going to change.”

I hoped to change her mind about that. More than that, I was counting on changing her mind and getting her back. “Do you consider yourself a fair and honorable person?”

She cocked her head. “Yes, I guess so.” Her voice seemed wary of a trap.

In a way, it was. “You’re not sure?”

Her brows drew together. “I’m sure.”

I opened the folder next to me, took out my pen, and signed the back page before turning it and sliding it to her. “I’m giving you your freedom. As soon as you sign, that is. It says we will pay you the retention bonus immediately, as well as assume your educational debt and COBRA payments if you decide to terminate your employment.”

She eyed me warily. “Just like that?”

“Just like that. I’m offering you something of value without demanding anything in return.” I gestured to the folder. “It’s yours for the taking.”

Her eyes narrowed. “And?”

“And nothing. You can sign it and walk out of here right now.”

She picked up the pen. “What’s the catch?”

“No catch. I know what that property means to you, and I’d like you to be able to save it from foreclosure.”

This was the test of that old saying: If you love something, set it free.

She put pen to paper and signed. A smile grew across her face as she folded the papers and put them in her purse. “Thank you.” Her eyes had gone from confrontational to warm.

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