Page 96 of Greed

“It’s about the Llura deal, isn’t it?” I try and jump ahead of him. “I’m sorry that didn’t work out.”

“It did work out for you,” he pauses. “For us.”

That’s news to me. The last time I checked in with Kalina, she was still at home, figuring out how to tell her on-and-off boyfriend he’s going to be a father.

I’m hoping she’ll give me a play-by-play of that conversation so I can piece together a plan on how to broach that conversation with Declan.

“I’m not following, sir.”

A smile slides over his mouth. “Kalina Ash called this morning. She wants you to take on the role of counsel for Llura.”

“What?” I ask in disbelief.

“She’ll become your client under the Thorsen & Associates umbrella, of course,” he explains. “Alongside Mrs. Collymore.”

I stare at him in disbelief. “You spoke to Mrs. Collymore?”

“Patricia called me just a few minutes ago.” He gestures to the phone on his desk. “She’s taken a liking to you, Abby. She wants you as her lawyer, so you’ll handle the final negotiations on the sale of the theater chain. It also sounds like she’s got a new venture on the horizon. It was something about a bakery that is filled with plants. Does that sound about right?”

I smile. “It does, sir.”

“Rook,” he says his name with a chuckle. “I’ll get Svea to prepare the paperwork for you to sign, so you can hit the ground running with your first and second official clients. I’m proud of you, Abby. You’re a real asset to our team.”

I glance down to the floor before I meet his gaze. “Thank you, Rook.”

“Declan wanted me to pass on a message to you.”

My stomach immediately knots when I hear the name of the man I love. “What’s the message?”

“He wants you to call him.” His gaze travels over my face. “I’ve known Declan for a long time. I may be overstepping here, but I’ve seen a change in him lately. I’ve seen that change in you too. I want you to know that underneath the expensive suits and his need for greed, Declan is a solid guy. He’s loyal, honest, and one of the best men I know.”

Stunned, I nod.

“If something is going on between the two of you, I’m happy for both of you.” He perks a brow. “If I’m misreading this, forget everything I just said.”

I smile. “You’re not misreading, Rook, but…”

“But what?”

I glance at my stomach. “But nothing. Declan and I have been spending time together outside of work.”

His entire face lights up. I’ve only seen that when he’s been talking about his daughter. “That’s fucking amazing. Declan deserves a woman like you, and you can’t do better than a man like him.”

I know he’s right. I also know what I need to do. I need to talk to Declan, and that has to happen now.

CHAPTERFIFTY-ONE

Declan

“Two people are waitingto see you,” Huck says into the phone.

Since my office door is shut, I don’t have a clear view of my assistant’s desk, so I ask the only question that matters. “Is one of them Abigail Duvall?”

He lets out a sigh. “No, but trust me, you’re going to want to make time for this cute duo.”

“So I take it one of them is Eamon?”

His distinctive laugh is enough to put a smile on my face. “It’s not, but you’re the first to know I’m having dinner with him tonight. He asked me out, sir. Can you believe it?”