Page 58 of The Re-Proposal

I don’t want to be swayed, but the thought of other women benefitting from today’s grand display is tempting.

“This is an opportunity from me to you.” Mimi meets my eyes. It’s still cold, but there’s a hint of a thaw. “Let me, letus,” she gestures to the servers and staff, “do this for you.”

“Do what? Give me shoes?”

“It’s not just shoes.” Her lips quirk up. “Let us show you how to change up here.” She taps my temple. “Not just out here.” Her chin lifts a fragment. “So that way you can teach other women to do the same.”

“So this is charity?”

“This, Miss Maura,” Mimi Roach takes my hand and leads me to a bench where the worker takes off my shoes again, “is saving the world.”

8

ICE CREAM TOSS

CODY

Back at my office,I loosen my tie and run my fingers through my hair, sinking into my custom-leather chair with the extra back support.

Turns out, working like a horse from my youth comes with health problems. Maybe I shouldn’t have gone so hard at the gym yesterday.

My landline rings.

“What?” I bark.

“Mr. Bolton, it’s the police. It seems they’re looking for Mr. Winifred. He wasn’t at his home last night when they got the warrant to arrest him.”

“Tell them I’ll call back later.”

“Yes, sir.”

I drop the phone back into the cradle.

The to-do list in my head gets longer.

Follow-up with the police about Winifred.

Get back to my regular gym routine.

Set a meeting with my law team.

Rip Vargas a new one for going out and finding me a son.

Foster son.

Whatever.

My assistant has, wisely, not returned to the office yet. Probably because he knows there will be consequences. Or maybe our young sacrificial lamb changed its mind before we could lead it to the altar of public opinion.

Still restless, I get up and pour myself a finger of whiskey. Swirling the liquid, I gaze out the window.

The view is to die for.

It’s why I bought the building.

My penthouse is upstairs, occupying the highest floor and almost touching heaven. This corner office is a breath away from the clouds.

I’m as close to ruling the world as I can get.

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