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“I'm ready to sign.”
I went through the contract and read everything, and when I got to the end, Terrance handed me a pen. Malcolm and I signed all three copies, and Terrance put one set of papers in the folder and handed it over to me.
“My card is in there if you have any questions, Miss Melville,” he said. “It's been a pleasure doing business with you both, but I need to get home. My wife is waiting.”
Malcolm stood, and the two men shook hands as I gathered my things. They continued to talk as I snuck out through the doors, seeing myself out. I was nearly to the elevators when a voice called from behind me.
It was Terrance.
“Miss Melville,” he said. “I apologize. I hope I wasn't too harsh on you in there.”
I shook my head. “It's fine. I'm used to it.”
He studied my face for a long time, then looked back toward the conference room. He leaned a little closer to me and lowered his voice as he spoke.
“I just want to make sure it's clear that as soon as this baby is born, you are out of the picture,” he said. “Malcolm has a good heart, he wants to do the right thing for everyone. But, he doesn't always think about himself and his family. He doesn't need any distractions right now, and that means –”
The conference room doors opened up, and Malcolm stood there, tall and handsome as ever, smiling back at us.
“Hey, I thought I missed you, Casey,” he said as he strolled down the hallway toward us. “I was just going to head out for something to eat. Care to join me?”
Terrance stood behind Malcolm, and he shook his head. His eyes were telling me not to go. My heart, on the other hand, wanted to spend more time with Malcolm. But then again, my heart didn't always make the best choices. Better not get too attached to him.
“Uhh, no thank you, Malcolm. I've already got plans,” I said.
Terrance gave me a thumbs up from behind Malcolm's back. Malcolm turned to look at the lawyer, but he'd already put his hands down by then. Houston just stood there looking as innocent as a lamb.
I hated him. I really, really hated him.
“I was just checking on Miss Melville,” he said. “I wanted to make sure I wasn't too hard on her back there.”
Malcolm glanced back at me, and I feigned a smile. “And I told him it's fine. I understand it's just business.”
I turned on my heel and walked toward the elevator, quickening my pace to keep the distance between us. My heart was racing, my stomach in knots.
Whatever I did, I didn't want to get attached to Malcolm. That wouldn't end well for either of us. In fact, it would be a downright disaster.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
MALCOLM
Terrance kept me cornered, and I watched Casey head down the hallway. It was like he was purposely trying to keep me from her or something.
“Excuse me, Terrance,” I said, pushing past him. “I'll be right back.”
I hurried after her, and as I rounded the corner, I heard the elevator doors chime as they shut. I tried to push the button to get them to open, but it was too late. I waited for the other elevator, but it was coming all the way up from the first floor. I knew by the time it got there, Casey would be gone.
I wasn't sure why I felt the urge to chase after her in the first place. Maybe it was the look of fear and sadness in her eyes. I didn't know what it was, but something bothered me. Terrance rounded the corner before the other elevator arrived.
He stood stiffly beside me as we waited.
“Why did you have to be so harsh to her? She's doing me a huge favor,” I said.
“She needs to know where she stands, Malcolm,” he explained. “My first obligation is to the Crane family, the entire Crane family – not just you. It's bad enough that you're having a child with someone of mixed race, but –”
“Wait, what did you say?”
I turned toward him, not sure if I'd heard him correctly. Hoping I hadn't. He sighed, staring straight ahead as he spoke.
