Page 101 of Famous Last Words
“So,” I start, nervously, because I have no idea what’s really going on here. “Do you have someone in mind for the penthouse, or…?”
Andy chuckles, shaking his head. “Honestly, no.”
“Okay.” My brows knit together. “Not that I mind, but… why are you here?”
Andy laughs again, eyes flitting to Robbie and then back at me. “I read your business plan.”
My eyebrows shoot up because I wasn’t expecting that. When Robbie asked me to send it to Andy, I wasn’t actually expecting him to read it. I thought he was just being polite. Plus, I wrote it well after midnight; it definitely wasn’t my greatest work.
“Fran, many of my clients are young, fresh out of college, some have only just finished high school,” Andy starts. “With one signing bonus, they can become multi-millionaires overnight. Robbie did.”He points to Robbie and my eyes bulge at the thought.
“I’ve been considering putting together a real estate division at the agency for a while now,” Andy continues. “My clients are often relocating to new cities, some of them having only ever lived at home prior to being signed, and they need help finding places to live. I want to make sure they’re working with someone with their best interests in mind, not just some slimy used car salesman type of real estate agent.”
“Like Tadd,” scoffs Robbie, and I’d laugh if I wasn’t so shocked by what IthinkAndy is getting at.
I stare at Andy, blinking once. “I don’t understand. Whatexactlyare you saying?”
Andy steps forward. “I’d love to bring you on at HMC Management, Fran. I want you to head up my real estate division. Exclusive access to my clients. You can start from scratch. Build on it the way you want. Full reign.”
Again, I stare at him, my mouth opening and closing because I’m literally speechless. I have no words. Nothing. I don’t even think I’m breathing right now.
“Breathe, Keller,” Robbie says quietly.
I snap out of my daze to see that he’s now right beside me, big hand on my shoulder, steadying me, and thank God, because I’m feeling a little lightheaded. “I-I can’t?—”
Andy holds a hand up, silencing me. “Just think about it. I’m not expecting an answer right now. We can chat about it more when you’re ready.”
I manage a smile, trying so hard not to show that I’m on the verge of tears. The feel of Robbie’s fingers deftly dragging up and down my arm is the only thing keeping me from losing my ever-loving shit.
“I’ve gotta go,” Andy announces after a moment. “Promised the wife I’d take her to dinner.”
Robbie says goodbye toAndy. I’m still practically catatonic.
“Keller?”
I come to, blinking hard, looking up at Robbie right in front of me, his hands smoothing up and down my arms as he looks at me closely. “You okay?”
I manage a nod. “I can’t believe that just happened.”
He smiles softly. “You should have heard him when he called me today. He said he couldn’t stop thinking about your business plan. He was so desperate to get time with you. I suggested this place.”
“I think I’m in shock.”
“I know I have no say in your life,” Robbie says with a teasing grin, because I’ve made it a point of telling him this more than a few times during the course of our fake relationship. “But I think you should consider it. Andy’s awesome at pretty much everything he does.”
“Thank you,” I say through my emotion.
Robbie gapes at me. His smile is incredulous. “Why are you thanking me for? It was your business plan. And I was watching Andy as you were showing him through this place. Keller, he was in fucking awe of you.”
I’m forced to duck my chin, cheeks flushed again.
“You’re good at what you do.” Robbie nudges me playfully, and when I meet his eyes, he cups my face, looking closer. “It kills me that you don’t see just how incredible you are.”
And there go those pesky tears again.
“And you look… really fucking good,” he says as he leans in even closer, his warm breath brushing against the sensitive skin at the base of my neck. “You smell good too.”
He presses a whisper kiss just below my ear, and I actually shiver, goosebumps flaring all over my skin.
