Page 42 of Take What You Want

I filled Hallie in on my idea over a few bottles of wine. While I hate the idea of being across the country from my best friend, we both know it’s what I need right now.

“Now to talk to Chester.” My head falls back against my chair and I stare at the white, bland ceiling tiles.

Something hits my chest, and I whip my head up, seeing a crumpled sticky note sitting in my lap. I glare at Hallie.

“Go get it over with,” she says, raising her brow. “The longer you sit there, the more you’re going to overthink it. Just rip the bandage off.”

She’s right. I stand, straightening my blouse and smoothing my skirt. “Wish me luck.”

She waves me off. “You don’t need it.”

I shoot her a grateful smile before walking to the other side of the building, where my boss’s over-the-top office sits.

The door is open, and I peek inside.

Chester sits in his leather chair with his feet kicked up, his back turned to me. He’s chatting animatedly with…

“Did you need something?” Liam spots me over Chester’s shoulder.

I resist the urge to curse under my breath and come back later once he’s left. But he looks awfully comfortable, arms thrown over the back of the rich colored couch, one ankle crossed over his knee.

Chester whirls around and smiles in greeting. He may be a shit boss, but he’s at least always been friendly toward me. “Miss Walker, what can I do for you?”

I enter the office but hover near the door. “I was hoping to talk to you about something,” I say, darting my eyes over to Liam, hoping he’ll get the hint. If he does, he ignores it. “I can come back?—”

“No, no, sit.” Chester waves me in and points to one of the plush armchairs in front of his desk. “Do we need to clear the room?”

I glance over at Liam, who seems completely content and unmoving as he pulls out his phone and look at my boss. “It’s fine. Nothing confidential.”

“What can I do for you?”

I cut right to chase, not wanting to lose my nerve. “I would like to know if it would be possible for me to relocate to Los Angeles for a bit.”

Chester’s brow raises, but he stays quiet.

“We are going to be opening a location there soon and, as you know, my brother lives in the city.”

“How is he doing?”

“Good, thank you for asking.” Chester’s been trying to get me to bring Walker and the guys over to work the firm for years, but their loyalty is to Arun and his people. “I’ve been in contact with his manager, actually, and he offered to connect me with some of his newer clients if I’d be willing to move out there for a bit.”

Chester leans in his chair, steepling his fingers under his chin. I’ve seen his gaze wither people to shreds in mediations and the courtroom. He likes to watch them squirm, so I straighten my spine and put on my most collected face.

“It would be a great opportunity to already have someone from the firm there, building connections, and potentially having contacts for new clients before the office is even open. I’m not asking for moving expenses or any?—”

“I like it,” Chester says, narrowing his eyes in thought. “We already have Matthew getting the building sorted there, but I like the forward thinking about bringing clients onboard as we’re in the early stages of establishing ourselves out there. Impressive forethought, Jane.”

“Thank you, sir.”

I can feel Liam’s glare on the side of my face but I pay him no mind. He may just get to waltz in here, get awarded with highclientele and status simply for his name, but some of us have to work for it.Earnit.

We finish discussing a few preliminary details before I rise, shaking his hand.

“We’ll see you back here for the anniversary party in a few months?” Chester asks.

Our annual company party to celebrate the day Chester and his partners opened their doors. Every year it’s an absolute blow out racking up bills that would even make Nikolai blink.

“Of course,” I say. “Thank you for this opportunity.”

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