Page 55 of Easy Reunion
“That’s because it is no.” I shoot Eli a fulminating look. “Listen, I’ll call her. I’m not putting any pressure on her though.”
He nods. “Fair enough. I think you’re going to be pleasantly surprised.”
I’d love it if I were. Giving my bosses a quick grin, I grab the files so I can head back to my office. “It was a good day.”
“No, it was an excellent one,” Beau corrects. He rubs his hands together. “Now, go find out about your woman, and let’s celebrate.”
I only wish I could call Kelsey my woman, I think glumly. As I make my way back to my office, I stop by my senior paralegal’s desk and hand him the files. “Great job. There’s going to be an invitation from the bosses…”
“It’s already in our inbox.” Vince grins. “I, for one, am not above drinking martinis on the company dime.”
I laugh. “Why does this not surprise me?” I slap him on the shoulder. “Thanks for all your hard work.”
“My pleasure, boss. Let me get these filed, then do you mind…”
I shake my head, laughing. “Go. Head on over to the party as soon as those are scanned, emailed off, and filed.”
Vince scrambles to begin organizing the piles of documents. I know before I step foot out of the office, all of the principals will have an electronic copy of the contracts in their inbox. It’s what makes him utterly invaluable to Bayou and me.
Entering the sanctity of my office, I pull my cell out of my jacket pocket. Flicking the switch on the side to turn it off Silent, I unlock it to see a text from Kelsey.
Darin and Angel are going out for a date night tonight. I know today’s been a long one for you? Want me to cook dinner?
My heart is pounding in my chest. Earlier in the week, Kelsey told me all about her plans to buy a home. Laughingly while enjoying a mouthful of shrimp, she explained, “I love the time I get to spend with Angel and Darin until the baby’s born, but soon, they’re going to need the space I’m taking up.”
Taking a sip of my drink, I asked, “It’s not crazy with three adults living there?”
“Nope. Angel and I lived together our senior year off campus. With the amount of time Darin spent there, it was like having a third roommate.” She snickered. “There were ballplayers in and out of our place constantly. Swear to God, I remember telling Darin I wasn’t feeding a basketball team.” Her head cocked to the side. “What’s that look on your face?”
I tried for a look of innocence. “What look?”
“That look that is a cross of remorse and annoyance.”
I reached across the table for her hand. “Likely my regret that I didn’t get to spend that time with you. And irrational jealousy that some no-name ballplayer’s been lucky enough to have you cook for him and I haven’t,” I tease.
Kelsey opened and closed her mouth. My eyes narrowed. “What?”
“Well, one of them wasn’t quite so no-name,” she hedged. Naming a former NBA star-turned-coach among the guys who are tight with Darin, she shrugs at my amazement. “Basketball was a big thing at Pepperdine,” she reminded me before tacking on, “You should have seen us line up to get student tickets. We’d camp out overnight during playoffs. Some people would even bring their couches down from their dorm rooms!”
Leaning forward, our hands still clasped, I brushed her fingers with my lips. “I love you had that,” I admit.
Her brows lowered in question. I clarified my response. “The whole college experience.”
“If it weren’t for Angel and Darin, I honestly don’t think I would have,” she admitted. “I was too withdrawn. It took a long time for me to build up my confidence.”
“Well, just so you know, you can always cook for me anytime. I’m definitely not as high-maintenance as any of those college guys” I teased her gently.
She laughed, before shoving my hand away.
Now, staring down at my phone, even with the thrill of success still racing through me, I wish I didn’t have to attend the party at Cafe Amelie. There’s nothing more I’d like to do than spend the night enjoying a quiet evening with Kelsey. Eli’s words ring through my head. Before I know it, I’m typing,How about joining me for a last-minute work event?
Tossing my phone on my desk, I lay my stack of files down. A few moments later, it pings with an incoming text.Can you be a little more specific? Is this the kind of event where I need to find a black-tie dress in under an hour and kill you later?
I burst out laughing. I should have known to have been more specific to a writer.You have an incredible imagination.
Within seconds I get her reply.And the ability to do mean things to you in print. Remember that, Ry.
With a grin, I type,We just closed the big deal we’ve been working on. The company is paying for everyone involved to go to a place near the office called Cafe Amelie. We’ll all be in work attire.
