Page 23 of Worth the Risk

We’re halfway down the block, the driver slowing to take the turn, when I look up and see Taylor walking down the sidewalk. I sit up, ready to tell the driver to stop, to dart out of the cab, when I notice her laughing, smiling at something the man next to her said.

That’s when I realize she’s not alone. She’s walking slowly, deeply engaged in conversation with a man I’ve never seen before. I turn my head, craning my neck to see if they stop at her building or go inside, but it’s no use. Once the driver makes the turn, she’s completely out of my sight.

CHAPTER 9

Taylor

“Thanks again for letting this interview drag on into dinner. I’d be lying if I said I regret taking up so much of your time.”

“No apologies necessary, honestly.” I squeeze Miguel’s hand tighter before releasing it. “I am just so grateful we could connect and really dive in to what it would be like for you to work in a new environment. And frankly, I am about two years late with bringing on another lawyer.”

The conversation has flowed easily over the last several hours. Both of us diving in to our backgrounds, what drove us to pursue law, and the big pie in the sky dreams we had going into and coming out of law school.

“Listen.” His face grows serious. “I meant what I said earlier about pursuing this opportunity. I know that we’re connected”—he motions between us—“with Hector and Becca, but I also don’t want any favors. You know what’s best for your company and if it’s not someone like me, I’d rather you not risk it just because I’m desperate to get out of my situation.”

“This is me.” I nod toward my building as we draw closer. “I appreciate that, but I’ve got a good feeling about things, aboutthis.” We pause briefly on the sidewalk. “I’ll give you a call tomorrow. Let’s start talking numbers, specifics, or demands. Whatever it takes.”

He can’t hide the smile on his face as he slowly backs away from my building. “You got it. Have a good night.”

A wave of relief washes over me, the first step in taking control of my life falling into place. For the first time in years, I don’t want to hide behind work, using it as an excuse for why Noah never wanted to make plans with me. Something that I thought nobody could see through until Austin called me out on it. Guilt rushes over me remembering how pissed off it made me when he said things like that. As if him saying it out loud was what made it true, instead of the fact that he was right about all of it.

“Good evening, Miss Harrington.” Hank, my doorman, swings open the large glass door to my building. “There was a gentleman here looking for you. He just left. You might be able to catch him.” He points toward the large window.

“Who?” I glance outside, squinting as if that will help me against the darkness. I’m not about to run after a strange man who knows where I live.

“He didn’t say his name, just left when I told him you were out. I thought it might have been a new boyfriend because the expression on his face told me he didn’t like hearing that.”

“I’m sorry, what?” I turn back toward Hank. “What’d he look like?” My stomach drops, an image of Noah showing up unannounced to ask for a second chance. But Hank knows him; he started working here about two years ago.

“Tall and fit, looked like one of those guys you see running down by the lakefront early in the morning.”

“Custom suit?”

“Mm-hmm. Expensive-looking watch too.”

“I think I know who it was.” I squeeze his elbow as I walk around him. “Thanks for letting me know. I hope you have a good night.”

“So not a new boyfriend, then?”

The clicking of my heels on the marble pauses as I glance over my shoulder at a smiling Hank. “No, just my business partner.”

“You sure about that?” He gives me a suspicious smile. “Nah, I’m just teasing.” He jokes, laughing to himself as he walks back to his post.

His comment about Austin’s expression confuses me. I pull out my phone, scrolling through my contacts, and select his name. It rings several times before going to voicemail. I decide against leaving one, knowing if there is something he needs, he’ll give me a call back; otherwise, I’m sure he’ll stop by my office to discuss it tomorrow.

By the time I’m behind my own apartment door, showered and in my pajamas, it’s all I can do to crawl into bed and fall asleep.

“What are you listening to?”

“Huh?” I pull my earbud from my ear as a curious smile plays across Austin’s lips.

“I said, what are you listening to?” He walks toward my desk slowly, his hands coming to rest flatly on top of it as he leans forward to look at my phone screen. “You were dancing in your chair.”

“Oh, it’s just a song Miguel told me about.” I watch his eyes shift from my screen up to meet mine.

“Miguel?”

“The lawyer I interviewed yesterday, you know Hector’s brother? We got on the subject of music because he played in a band during law school called The Legal Briefs.” I snort through my laughter. “And they actually wore briefs onstage when they performed.”

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