Page 37 of Midnight & Mavericks

Abbie returned the smile, though it felt forced. “Thanks, Julia. It’s good to be back.”

Except it wasn’t.

She took the elevator to her floor and greeted Missy on her way to her office. Her assistant offered her a greeting smile. “Thank God you’re back. Nathan has screwed up your case files so bad?—”

“Hey, Missy. Don’t worry about it. Let me get settled and then we can catch up, okay?”

“Sure,” Missy answered and grabbed the phone ringing on her desk.

Abbie unlocked her office door and stepped inside. Everything was just as she had left it—immaculate, efficient, and impersonal. The view of the city skyline from her window was breathtaking, yet it paled in comparison to the rolling hills and open fields of the ranch. She set her bag on her desk and sank into her chair, her fingers grazing over the crisp envelope resting neatly in the center.

The words “Partner Agreement” were embossed in gold lettering. It should’ve been the crowning achievement of her career, the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. Instead, it felt like a weight pressing down on her chest.

The intercom buzzed, breaking her thoughts.

“Ms. Carter, Mr. Nathan Winters would like to see you in his office,” Julia’s voice announced.

Abbie sighed, smoothing her blouse as she stood. “On my way.”

Nathan Winters was waiting for her when she arrived, leaning casually against his desk with that same cocky grin she’d grown used to. His suit was impeccably tailored, his hair perfectly styled, and his charm as effortless as ever.

“Abbie,” he greeted, his eyes lighting up as she entered. “Our newest partner. You’re glowing already.”

She smiled, but she was sure it didn’t reach her eyes. Quickly, she brushed off the compliment and got right to the point. “Thanks, Nathan. What’s up?”

“Can’t a guy call his favorite colleague in just to chat?” he teased, though the gleam in his eye hinted at something more.

Abbie arched a brow, crossing her arms. “Spit it out, Nathan.”

He stepped closer, his expression softening. “Fine. I wanted to congratulate you properly. And... to ask you something.”

Abbie’s stomach tightened as he reached for her hand, his fingers warm against hers.

“Go out with me tonight, Abbie,” he said, his voice steady and sincere. “We need to talk and we can’t do it here in the office with everyone listening and making assumptions.”

For a moment, the words hung in the air, and Abbie felt the room tilt slightly. Nathan Winters was everything most women dreamed of—handsome, successful, charming. And now he was offering her a life most people would envy.

But as she looked at him, all she could think about was Beau.

Beau, with his rugged confidence and teasing smirk. Beau, who had challenged her, infuriated her, and somehow managed to make her feel more alive than she had in years.

“Nathan...” she began, her voice trailing off.

His smile faltered, but he recovered quickly, his grip on her hand tightening. “Abbie, we’re perfect together. Think about it—partners at the firm, a power couple in every sense of the word. We could have it all. Penthouse just down the street. A super yacht in the harbor. We would be the couple everyone wants to be. How can you turn that down?”

She shook her head, pulling her hand away gently. “It’s not that simple.”

“Why not?” he pushed, his brows furrowing as he captured her hands between his.

“Because I’m in love with someone else,” she blurted.

The realization hit her like a freight train, and she took a step back, her breath catching in her throat. She hadn’t admitted it to herself until this moment, but it was true. She loved Beau Elliott—his stubbornness, his sarcasm, his unwavering loyalty.

“Nathan, you’re an amazing person,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “But this... this isn’t what I want. This isn’t what is going to make me happy.”

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, she saw a flash of hurt in his eyes. But he quickly masked it with a tight smile. “I see.”

“I’m sorry,” Abbie said, meaning it.

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