Page 85 of One Unexpected Kiss

The ten to fifteen hours had turned into twenty-five over the past several weeks. The work was boring and tedious, but it paid well, so I wasn’t complaining. It had actually led to a few other freelance jobs. Thanks to those and the generous bonus Phil had given me for sealing the Carolina Banks resort deal, I was no longer in dire financial straits. A weight had lifted off my shoulders, but I still saw it looming above me, waiting to crash back down. I needed to make some decisions soon.

Phil took his phone out of his pocket and peered at it. “Sorry, ladies, but I need to take this.”

“Phil, you promised,” Stephanie reminded him sternly.

He stood. “It’ll only take a minute.” He put the phone up to his ear as he walked away from the table.

“Don’t ever marry a workaholic,” Stephanie grumbled.

“I’m pretty sure all CEOs of billion-dollar companies are workaholics.”

She considered. “That’s probably true. I guess I shouldn’t complain. He works so I don’t have to.”

I was pretty sure Phil’s crazy work schedule had nothing to do with keeping my sister in a posh lifestyle and everything to do with his own ambition, but it seemed unkind to say so.

“So…” She drew out the word, a sign that she was going to make a big announcement. “I signed up for a basic culinary class.”

My eyes widened. “Really? That’s awesome!”

Stephanie had been spending more time in the kitchen and subjecting Phil and me to her attempts. I had to give my brother-in-law credit—he never complained even when the food tasted like regurgitated dog poop that had been set on fire. I was glad for everyone’s sake that she would be getting proper training. More than that, though, I was pleased she was pursuing an interest outside of her role of a socialite housewife. I truly thought she’d be happier with a hobby of her own.

“It’s just basic culinary arts,” she said. “Not a big deal.”

I held my glass up in a toast. “To your newfound cooking skills.” This was the happiest I’d been since I’d left the Carolina Banks.

“Marta will be grateful,” she said.

I nodded. Their housekeeper had been none too thrilled about the damage Stephanie had been doing in the kitchen.

“After I take that, I’ll be eligible to move on to the baking classes. The cake-decorating one looks so interesting.”

Phil returned to the table. I was surprised that his call had only taken the minute he’d said it would.

“I’ve primed her,” Stephanie said. “She’s all good and happy now.”

I frowned at her. “Primed me for what?” I fumed that my sister had used her good news to butter me up for something. This felt like an ambush.

Phil slowly drummed his fingers on the table, an indication that he was in CEO mode. “I’d like you to continue your work for Markham Corporation.”

I was utterly confused. The resort proposal had been approved, so there was no more work to be done. Unless perhaps there was another resort facing resistance from cantankerous residents?

“How so?” I asked.

“I’d prefer not to travel, and I often need someone to represent the business on-site.” His not wanting to travel wasn’t surprising. My brother-in-law had a fear of flying.

“I’m a lawyer, not an executive. Surely you have others who have been with the company longer and are higher up the chain and able to better represent you.”

“I do, but I also don’t want to lose them in their current positions,” Phil said.

“So they’re not expendable,” I said slowly.

“Claire,” Stephanie said sharply. “Phil is not implying that you’re expendable.”

“That wasn’t what I meant.” But it sort of was. The higher-ups in Markham were too valuable to send out on errands, but I could be an errand girl.

“Stephanie is right—that isn’t what I’m saying,” Phil said. “I apologize if you feel I’ve undervalued you, especially when the opposite is true.”

I closed my eyes and tried to turn off my cynicism. Phil had been nothing but good to me, and it was unfair to color his offer with my foul mood. I’d always figured I’d go back to practicing law, and his offer didn’t fit with that plan. But would a law career even make me happy? I honestly had no clue. All I knew was that I’d spent so many years building a career that I didn’t want to give it up.Even though it chewed me up and spit me out? At what point do I concede defeat?

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