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Richard was talking to a woman. That in itself isn't what concerned Will; it was thewaythey were talking. Richard leaned in close to her, and when he reached for her hand, she gazed up at him with rapt attention.
Will cleared his throat—loudly—and the woman stepped back, turning in Will's direction. Her face colored and she quickly walked past him, saying a soft “Good afternoon, Mr. Darcy” and trying her best to look him in the eye. She failed miserably.
“Good afternoon,” Will responded.
She disappeared around the corner, and Will continued down the hall, stopping in front of his cousin.
“What was that?”
Richard sighed. “It’s not what you think.”
“Really? Let’s go into your office so you can tell me what I think.”
Richard walked into his office with Will right behind him, then shut the door as Will went to gaze out the windows.
“I'm waiting,” Will said.
“For what? I already told you it’s not what you think.”
“And I told you I wanted you to tell me what I think.”
“She's a friend.”
Will rolled his eyes. “Come on, Richard. You were practically rubbing up against her in the hall.”
Richard crossed his arms over his chest. “It's not like that. It's–we were just talking.”
“Do I need to remind you that you're in charge?”
“Of course not.”
“Maybe I do. Maybe I need to remind you thattalkingcan lead to something else entirely. Do I need to spell it out for you?”
“No.”
“Then knock it off. I don't need the company to get slapped with a sexual harassment suit. Who is she?”
Richard rubbed the back of his neck. “Her name is Lauren. Lauren Jeffries.”
“Where does she work?”
“She's my assistant.”
Will exhaled loudly and closed his eyes. “Are you serious? What happened to, um, what was her name? Margaret?”
“She left five months ago. Moved to Seattle. Lauren has been here since.”
“If I can't trust you to behave with the employees—”
“I swear, Darcy, it's not like that. Youcantrust me.”
“I hope so. I can't have problems like that, you know I can't. Don't put yourself in that position.”
“I won't. I'm not.”
Will stared at him for a moment, trying to read him. Something didn't feel right, but he had to believe his cousin was being truthful.
Richard nodded toward a folder on his desk. “Do you want to talk about those properties in LA?”
