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I chuckle. “Yeah, I have to work hard to keep up with you.”

“That’s what life is all about, isn’t it? Working hard and leveling up. I did that when I was your age, and look at me now.” He spreads his arms wide. The sleeves of his suit ride up, exposing the Rolex on his wrist. “I’ve got everything you could want in life.”

I take a sip of my beer. For some reason, Ariel keeps coming to mind. She dropped me off at my house yesterday and said she’d see me later. Even though she hasn’t so much as texted since, I’ve had trouble getting her out of my head. I get the feeling if she were here, she’d put Slater in his place and tell him he’s wrong.

Slater’s phone buzzes on the table again. He picks it up and starts typing. I’m tempted to check mine, but I want to ask him something first.

“Can I get your advice?” I ask.

“Shoot.”

I shift on the stool. “Did you ever have friends and family try to stop you from working so much?”

“All the time. Why do you think I’ve gone through so many wives? They all think they can change me, make me settle down. I’m straightforward with all of them, but there’s something in them that wants to fix me.” He looks at me. “Listen to me, kid, no one is going to get it. They don’t understand the drive. If I could go back in time, I’d never get married. Then I’d be enjoying this life and my beach house in Key West that I had to give up to Margo with no worries.”

“Margo?” I question. “I thought we were talking about Michelle.”

He waves a hand, eyes on his screen. “They all start to blur together. Women are my vice. They bat their lashes, and I give them a ring. It’s a sickness, but who has time for therapy? I’d rather be making money.”

“So you’re saying it’s better off not to get married?”

“Definitely. The less people you’re tied down to, the better. Do you want to spend the rest of your life with someone nagging you about why you’re coming home late?” He makes a face. “Don’t be like me, kid, stay away from women while you’re building this thing. Once you’ve made it, maybe try the whole family man thing on. Does get your foot in the door with clients who are into all that, so that’s a plus.”

I nod, digesting his advice. He’s got plenty of issues, but it’s clear he’s successful. His name is right next to all the greats. If I want a chance at proving myself, I need to take at least part of his advice to heart.

“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind,” I say.

He grins and slaps me on the back. “Good. You’re gonna go far. I told you that the day I met you.”

A real smile stretches my lips. I remember that day. I’d just negotiated a fantastic deal for Emmett. Slater came up to me ata charity gala, handed me a glass of whiskey, and welcomed me to the big leagues. He told me if I worked hard and gave it my all, that I’d be up there with him one day. I’ve worked every day since then to prove him right.

We spend the rest of our time together, alternating between working on our phones and telling funny stories about our clients. It feels good to be around someone who doesn’t judge me for checking my email or taking a call in the middle of a conversation.

By the time I leave the restaurant, the thought of seeing my family this week feels like a storm cloud hanging over me. I wish that they could see me the way Slater does. All they see is the things I miss. No one recognizes my work ethic, or all the great things I’ve accomplished. I watched Sutton get every award in school. That was never my thing. This is my chance to prove to everyone that I’m building somethinggreat.

I walk back to my office building, more determined than ever to work as hard as I can. Nothing and no one can stand in my way.

The elevator opens on my office floor, and I frown. Why is music blasting? Marie isn’t at her desk, either. I round the corner and see Arielstanding on my desk, using an iced coffee as a microphone, singing along to a terrible–but catchy–pop song. She’s moved most of my things to nearby shelves.

“What are you doing?” I shout over the music.

She grins down at me. “What does it look like?”

“It looks like you’re creating a disturbance for someone to call the police about.”

Her laughter is infectious, and I can’t help but chuckle with her. “I’m not disturbing anyone but you. I told your assistant you needed lunch. She went to a bagel place thirty minutes from here. Should take her a while.”

“She believed you?”

“I can be very convincing,” she replies with a mischievous grin that kicks my heart rate up.

“Is that so?”

“I’m counting on it. Get up here, Carolina.”

I laugh. “What? I’m not climbing on my desk.”

I look around for the speaker to turn it off, but she’s got it well hidden.