Page 89 of Love on Deck

“I really need to prepare for the big announcement—”

“It will only take a minute, I promise.”

He sighed, looking over my head at something behind me. “Lauren, it’s not a good time. Schedule something for later this week.”

But later this week we’d be swamped with the lawyer conference. “After the meeting? I only need a few minutes.”

Hal held my gaze. I could see his jaw working in tandem with his mind, moving and thinking. Finally he nodded. “After the meeting, but then I’ll need to run out. You can’t have more than ten minutes.”

“I won’t need it,” I said, feeling victorious. My phone buzzed, and I pulled it from my pocket while I made my way to the conference room. It was Jack.

Jack

How is Amelia?

Lauren

Probably still asleep on my couch. I don’t think she slept well last night.

Jack

Neither did Kevin.

Lauren

You stayed with him?

I didn’t know why that surprised me, but it did. Maybe because I’d been doing my best to paint Jack as an awful man who lied about conferences and didn’t respect my work.

Jack

Someone had to. He was a wreck last night.

I sat on a swivel chair near the head of the table, debating what to say next.

Lauren

I don’t know how they’ll come back from this.

Jack

They will. Kevin won’t let his parents or their money dictate his life. He never has.

I didn’t respond, and my phone buzzed with another message.

Jack

How are you?

Lauren

Working.

Jack

Any news on the promotion?

Lauren

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