Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
It's never been legally binding. Would not have stood up if Emmy had challenged it. If she ever did, though, it would be the end of my legal career.
It's not fraud if we're actually together. It's only relevant if we're not actually together.
We don't need a signed agreement to justify our feelings for each other. I don't care. Not about Whitmore or the Blake cousins. How we fell for each other doesn't matter. Only that we did within thirty days of the reading of Violet's Will.
The beginning doesn't matter.
I need to tell Emmy tonight.
I arrive at her apartment carrying Thai takeout. She opens the door wearing leggings and my Columbia sweatshirt, which she 'borrowed' but clearly has no intention of returning, her hair piled in a messy bun. Her laptop sits open on the coffee table, manuscript visible.
"You brought pad thai. You're officially my favorite person." She rises on tiptoes to kiss me hello, and we settle on her couch, her feet in my lap as we eat.
This easy intimacy terrifies and comforts me simultaneously. It's everything I want, everything I need to protect.
"We need to talk about something."
Her face changes instantly. "That's never a good opening."
I explain about Graham Whitmore, the cousins, and the motion. She sets down her food, processing. "He thinks we're committing fraud."
"Are we? Technically?"
"No. We're in a relationship."
"That started as fake." She stands, fingers running through her hair. "Maybe we should just tell the truth. Let Graham contest it properly. I don't want you to lose your career because of me."
I rise, stopping her nervous movement with my hands on her shoulders. "Listen to me carefully. We are in a relationship. That's not a lie. It doesn't matter how it started. What matters is what it is now."
"But if he finds out—"
"He won't. There's nothing to find. The contract, our contract, is shredded. Our texts are genuine. Legally, we haven't lied."
She pulls back, studying my face. "Why are you doing this? Really? You could walk away. Recuse yourself. Let me deal with Graham alone."
My jaw tightens. "No."
"Why not?"
I look at her and almost say it. "Because I—" I stop, catching myself. Not like this. Not when she's stressed and scared. "Because I care about you. More than I should. More than is probably wise."
Her eyes search mine. "Adrian—"
I kiss her, cutting off whatever she was going to say. When we break apart, both breathing hard, she asks, "Do we need to be more convincing?"
"Yes. Completely unimpeachable. Graham will be looking for any crack. We can't give him one."
Her determination surfaces. "Then we won't. We'll be perfect. The most disgustingly in-love couple he's ever seen."
I almost smile at her fierceness.
"Disgustingly?"
"Tooth-achingly sweet. Nauseating. He'll beg us to stop being so happy."
The humor fades as reality sinks in. "I can't lose you, Emmy. Not to Graham's investigation. Not to anything."
She stares at me; a smile plays at the corners of her mouth.
I frame her face with my hands. "You're mine now, and I won't ever let you go."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Even after day sixty?"
"Especially after day sixty." I stroke her cheek with my thumb. "There is no day sixty anymore, Emmy. There's just ... us. For as long as you'll have me."
"I'm yours too, you know. You don't get to be possessive alone. It goes both ways."
"No?"
"No. You're mine just as much as I'm yours."
Something in my chest loosens at her words. "Good."
This stopped being about the inheritance weeks ago.
This stopped being fake the moment we kissed.
I'm fighting for her now. Not for Violet's estate, not for my managing partner position, not for any reason except that I love her.
I haven't said the words yet. But I will.
Just as soon as I make sure no one can take her away from me.
===
EPILOGUE
ADRIAN
"The partners have voted..."
Judith stops speaking, letting her words hang, making me wait through an excruciating pause.
"Congratulations, Adrian. You're our new managing partner."
I should feel triumphant. Instead, I feel ... incomplete. I want to tell Emmy. Such a leap from my normally regimented, solitary life, since my instinct now, whether it's good or bad news, is to tell her first.
When did that happen?
Back in my office, I pull out my phone to text her when I hear a knock on the door.
"Come in."
Lo and behold, it's her. My girl. The love of my life.
Emmy enters holding a paper bag high, her face beaming in a genuine smile. "Sip'O'Clock time. So? Don't keep me in suspense. I have your celebratory drink and cake right here."
"I got it. Managing partner."
"Yay!"
She sets down the coffee and cake, crosses to me, and hugs me tight. "I'm so proud of you."
I hold her close, and this—this is what makes it real. Sharing it with her.
"It doesn't feel complete without you here."
Emmy pulls back. "Well, I'm here now."
"It's also pretty assuming of you. What if I didn't get it?"