Page 68 of Before I Say I Don't
My head jerked up in surprise, more reflexive than I had meant it to be.
“Really? So did I. It was just the other day at that little café near the corner.”
I let it hang there, carefully vague. It wasn’t a lie… but nowhere near the whole truth about where our relationship stood.
Marcus nodded. “I tried to convince him to think about coming back home... for good. We could use someone like him at the firm.”
Roman? At the firm? He didn’t mention that to me.
I hid my surprise behind a small, polite smile.
“Oh yeah?” I asked, keeping my tone breezy. “What’d he say?”
“He mentioned he’d think it over. That could mean he’s already halfway on board, even if he doesn’t want to admit it just yet,” Marcus responded, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorframe.
I let out a light laugh, attempting to sound nonchalant. “We’ll see what happens.”
“So, are you coming back to work after or calling it a day?”
“Calling it a day," I answered, sliding my laptop into my bag with care. “My soon-to-be mother-in-law will be joining me for the tasting. Let’s just say… she and my sister don’t exactly see eye to eye, so I’ll be playing the role of peacemaker.”
He chuckled. “Sounds like you’re billing hours in diplomacy, too. Must be nice being a partner—get to leave whenever you want.”
“It has its perks,” I admitted with a small smile, “but they also expect me to ‘balance my vacation with ongoing responsibilities.’ In other words, I’ll end up answering emails while lounging on the beach. Unless I take a sabbatical, which let’s face it, they’d probably give me a hard time about. You know how this place operates—it can’t seem to function without me.”
Marcus nodded knowingly, his expression turning serious as he lowered his voice slightly.
“Between you and me? I think you’d do well with your own firm.”
I paused, then leaned closer, mirroring him. “Between you and me? I’ve been thinking about it.”
His eyebrows shot up, genuine surprise and excitement flickering across his face.
That was the truth.
I gently tapped his shoulder and lifted my bag. “But let’s keep that between us—no headlines just yet.”
Marcus grinned, looking as if he had just been entrusted with a thrilling secret.
“My lips are sealed.”
“Well, I don’t want to keep everyone waiting,” I said, making my way toward the door. “See you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” he echoed, still looking as if I had just dropped a grenade and walked away all too calmly.
Out in the hallway, I exhaled and pressed the elevator button, thoughts tumbling:
Roman? At my firm? God, that would complicate everything.
I was going to bring it up to Roman eventually, just… not right then. I had bigger fires to stomp out.
By the time I made it to the venue, Mariah, Danica, and Diane were all waiting in the lobby.
Danicahad her tablet and an expression that saidwe’re working,and Dianecame with a tote full of ideas nobody asked for.
They were already side-eyeing each other like rival aunties at Thanksgiving. I prayed we’d make it through the tasting without somebody “accidentally” flipping a table. The Lord knew I didn’t have the patience to play referee that day.
“Hello, everyone!” I sing-songed, sliding in like I wasn’t already exhausted. “I would say sorry for being late but it looks like I’mrighton time.”
