Page 41 of Take What You Want

But as I cradle her body and look into her eyes, I’m not so sure it’s all black and white. Because if it was, I don’t think myheart would feel like it’s trying to rip itself out of my chest and crawl into her own for the taking. The thought terrorizes the absolute hell out of me.

Fuck me.

9

JANE

“Iwas wondering when I’d hear from you.” Arun’s smooth voice echoes over the line as I tuck my phone tightly to my ear. I angle my office chair toward the window, trying to gain some semblance of privacy in the open format of the office.

“Sorry it took me a bit. Needed to get some things settled back here after I got home.”

It’s been a couple of weeks since my trip to LA. Like always, I’ve been taking a lot of time thinking over Nikolai’s offer to connect me with Arun. Weighing the pros and cons, stewing in bed at night about it until it drove me crazy with indecision.

But what sent me over the edge and solidified my decision to call Arun was seeing Liam stroll into work this morning with his hand firmly planted on our receptionist's ass.

Turns out they're dating.

Or maybe just fucking.

I don’t actually know, and I don’t care to find out.

“No apologies necessary,” Arun says. “Nikolai extended my offer to you, yes?”

“He did. First, I’d like to say thank you for the opportunity.”

“This better not be the beginning of a rejection,” he jibes.

I chuckle and scan the hordes of people hustling and bustling on their lunch breaks in the streets below. “No, it isn’t. I’m thinking about taking you up on it.”

“Are you prepared to relocate? I don’t have clients out east.”

“I am,” I say on an exhale. “I don’t know about permanently, but I need a change.”

“I understand. Have you talked to your current employer?”

“Not yet.”

“I don’t have any issues with you staying with your existing clientele as there shouldn’t be any conflict of interest. And I also cannot promise to have enough clients off the bat to give you full time yet.”

“Of course.”

“When can I expect you here?”

I glance over my shoulder, ensuring no one is paying attention, and say, “I could be ready to start Monday?” It’s currently Wednesday, so that would give me enough time to pack a few bags, talk to my landlord about a sublease, and fly out.

“Perfect,” Arun says. “I’ll have my assistant reach out by the end of this week with more information. Let me know if you have any issues on your end and if there’s any way I can help.”

“Thank you. I look forward to it.”

We hang up, and I heave out a relieved sigh.

First step to doing something for myself: check.

“You good?” Hallie asks, poking her head over her monitor.

I spin my chair and roll back to my desk. “Yes. He said he’ll have me.”

“Of course he will. He’d be stupid not to.”

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