Page 61 of Perfect Assumption
I let her. I wipe my hands with the wipe before drying them on a clean napkin. “For me, contracts always fascinated me. I loved closing loopholes. I could spend hours talking about legal liabilities.”
“Stimulating lunch conversation, Ward.” Angie’s smirking at me.
“It’s better over dinner; let me assure you.” We both chuckle before I become introspective again. “As for Carys, I don’t know if things would have been different for her. But she’s a phenomenon. I’ve learned more from her than from any single person I’ve worked for or from any textbook.”
“You would have hated working with her at Wildcard.” Angie’s statement surprises me.
“Really? I was away at law school the first three years she was at Wildcard, so other than hearing about what a pain in the ass David was, I rarely heard about her time there. Then one day, she declared she was starting the firm.”
Angie erupts in laughter. “Yes, David was very aggravating for and to her.”
“I didn’t recall her mentioning you worked for her then. And considering it was years I listened to her gripe, there wasn’t anything about an “Angie” or an “Angela.” I don’t mention Carys has locked down Angie’s file on our office computer like it holds state secrets.
“Carys was well respected and riding a wave to amuchhigher position within the company. But there’s a strict no-fraternization policy at Wildcard. And there she was, working with David—day in and day out. It made her very…” Angie pauses for a moment while she struggles with finding the right word. She finally settles on, “Remote. Back then she was very much ‘Burke’ and not ‘Carys.’”
“And working for ‘Carys’ is better?”
“Working for your sister has and always will be a lifesaver. But yes, seeing her this happy has been an incredible pleasure.”
I settle back in my chair. “How long did you work for her before all of you left?”
“Maybe a year? I had completed my degree and was looking for a part-time entry-level legal position. Carys and David were working on a big project that involved a charity event for Brendan Blake and required a legal assistant. The rest is history.”
“I’m glad it worked out.” And I mean that sincerely.
“Me too…oh, God. Is that the time? I still have to finish pulling together Z’s pack of pickle preferences before I head out for the day.” Angie jumps to her feet. But before she dashes out the conference room, Angie pauses by my chair. And like a butterfly landing for just a moment, her fingers touch my shoulder hesitantly. “I’m glad we got to spend this time talking, Ward.”
I hate that the openness, the safety, she felt at Redemption is erased, but glad she made the first move to break the physical barrier between us. With any other woman, I’d reach up and clasp their hand. But with Angie, I know she’d panic. I tip my head back and smile warmly up at her. “Me as well, Angie. We should do it again.”
Her smile is hesitant, but I read the sincerity when she says, “I agree. Next time, you should let me pay. Especially since you didn’t have to this time. Truly, it wasn’t necessary, but it was a nice thing to do.” Then she does flutter away.
I sit for a few more moments thinking about everything I learned about my legal assistant today. Food preferences aside, she’s thoughtful, kind, and has absolutely no interest in my money. She’s interesting and truly observes people.
This lunch ended up being much more than just a way to make amends. It broke through walls I built up around my heart the day my parents died. And maybe, it tore down a few of Angie’s.
The question is what the hell I’m going to do about it?
Twenty-Three
Ward
The vote is in! Although he’s not technically a billionaire (yet), Ward Burke tops your list as world’s sexiest billionaire. But we’ll let it slide. After all, he has to file taxes just like the rest of us mere mortals. We’ll know then whether he attains that ten-digit number. After all, he earned his money the hard way. He inherited it.
— StellaNova
Ilean against the doorjamb of the conference room while Angie presents the merits of purchasing an additional database to Carys.
“What are the benefits for us, Angie? All of this sounds impressive, but we’re a small firm. Isn’t it a bit too much?” Carys addresses the same question I was about to interrupt to ask.
“The pricing is different for small business.”
“Well, there’s that.”
“But think of this, Carys. Not only would we be able to import databases like LexisNexis—” Angie names one of the world’s providers of legal sources. “—directly into the system to ensure we have current case law, we could directly track the number of times you have to defend against a particular ruling. Think about it.” Angie turns and plants her hands on the table in front of her. “You could champion change in entertainment law because you would have statistics to back up your…”
I helpfully supply, “Rants.”
Both women’s heads whirl in my direction. Angie’s cheeks flush while my sister just mean mugs me as I push off the door and move into the room. “Like you both weren’t thinking it.”
