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Nic enjoyed the brisk March air hitting his face as he walked around the park in the center of the town. He was trying to clear his head, but his mind kept replaying the night Ashley had broken up with him—him and Sylas.
Damn. What a fucking mess. How am I going to get her back?
His appointment was in less than an hour. He needed to have a game plan before he arrived. Sylas was trying for the same job—for the same reason, too. If he was honest with himself, Sylas was just as capable an attorney as he was. Maybe even more so.
There was no doubt Sylas could set up a new practice in this town and make it. Why couldn’t he be just an average lawyer? Hell, Sylas might even get the job and not him.
“Fuck.”
“Everything okay?” The question came from a voice behind him.
He turned around and saw the blonde woman who had been talking with Ashley in the diner.
She stood on the sidewalk with a bag of takeout.
“I’m fine. Sorry I said that out loud.”
“That’s okay.” She smiled. “I’m Anna Banks.”
“Nicholas Walker.” He shook her hand. Anna was perfect for Sylas. Just his type. Blonde and blue-eyed. Until Ashley, the only type of women Sylas dated. That was why they had been such good wingmen for each other. Nic preferred brunettes.
“Nicholas, would you like to have a cup of coffee?”
“I don’t have time right now. But thanks.”
She reached into her purse and pulled out her business card. “Call me when you do have time.”
He took it. “Nice meeting you.”
Anna winked at him and then walked away.
He glanced at her card.
Anna Banks. Senior Software Developer. Two Black Knights Enterprises. TBK.
If he could get Anna and Sylas together and they hit it off, his problems would be solved. He tucked her card into his pocket.
As much as he hated to give up on him and Sylas ever being friends again, he knew there was no chance. He’d lost his best friend in the world. He wasn’t about to lose Ashley, too. He couldn’t give up on her. He wouldn’t give up on her. They were meant to be together. He’d fallen hard for her. He’d never imagined having a family of his own. The only thing close to family he’d ever known was his friendship with Sylas, who was like a brother to him, but even that got fucked up.
What do I know about family? Nothing. Zilch. Not a damn thing.
That’s why playing the field had always appealed to him. Before things got too serious with any woman, he always moved on. But then, Ashley had walked into Braxton’s headquart
ers and into his life. That’s when everything changed.
He resumed his trek around the park with its four dragon statues. Now he was thinking about family but he didn’t have a clue how to get there. He was certain about one thing. He needed to beat out Sylas for that job at Ashley’s office.
Time to bring out the charm, Nic.
* * * *
Ashley rushed into the office with hers and Phoebe’s lunches, ready to confront her. Seeing through the glass walls of the conference room, she saw Jennifer Steele with Phoebe.
“Damn.”
Phoebe’s appointment with Jennifer had completely slipped her mind after seeing Nic and Sylas. Jennifer had been served papers from a law firm in Florida whose client claimed to have proof of ownership of Steele Ranch, which was worth tens of millions. The proof was an alleged last will and testament of Jennifer’s late husband.
Jennifer was someone Ashley admired. The woman had lost her husband to cancer before turning thirty. Now in her forties, she remained unattached. She was very attractive but showed no interest in marrying or accepting any Dom’s collar. Whenever her deceased husband’s name was brought up, Jennifer got choked up.
