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Chapter Twenty-Seven
Luke
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"Congratulations!" Donnaexclaimed. We were back at the office. I'd given everyone free rein to celebrate Megan’s success. They'd set up drinks and snacks in the meeting room, and the team was anxious to congratulate her.
"Thank you so much," Megan said.
I hadn't had a chance to talk to her alone because fucking Klaus was glued to us the whole time. I wanted to choose my words carefully. I’d always been certain she'd win. She was smart, hardworking, and didn't mind going the extra mile. That was always a winning combination. I was fucking proud of her. But the committee didn't always give international placements. It had been five years since the last time they'd done it. I hadn’t counted on that, and yes, I was fucking on edge.
"Now, this is the one thing that makes this place even cooler. Can we make this a regular thing?" Derrick asked, pouring himself champagne. “Day drinking?”
"No," I said, and Derrick’s eyebrows rose. I was usually relaxed at celebrations like this, and it wasn’t uncommon for me to be a smartass. But I wasn't in the mood for that now. I wanted to talk to Megan. I needed to know what she had in mind, but I wasn't going to pressure her in any way. She had to decide without me hovering over her.
But the not knowing was killing me.
I loved her, and I knew the feeling was mutual. But she was young, at the beginning of a successful career, and I couldn’t be the one to hold her back.
Everyone had a flute of champagne, and we all clinked glasses in Megan’s honor. When I clinked it to hers, I looked her straight in the eyes.
"Congratulations, Megan. You deserve it."
"Thank you," she murmured.
I couldn't read anything from her expression. She seemed content. Was she happy that she'd won, or excited to go away?
Then Donna cleared her throat. "Luke, the floor is ready for you."
I nodded, setting my glass of champagne on the table and picking up the file Donna had prepped for me. "Megan, as you can see, we're all proud of you for winning the US Architecture Design Award. We had no doubts. At leastIhad no doubts."
"Hear, hear," some chanted in the back. The team was going to miss her. From day one she’d fit right in.
"You're one of the very best who's ever worked in our offices,” I continued. “In this file, you will find a permanent job offer with us."
The room erupted in cheers. Megan's eyes widened. She clapped her hand over her mouth and then lowered it, pressing it on her chest.
"Wow! Oh my God. Really? This is amazing."
"Donna will also send everything electronically to you. We just wanted to make a bit of a show by printing it out. I’ll leave this file here. You can inspect it later."
"I will," she murmured. "I definitely will."
Once again, I tried to read her expression, but I couldn't do it. It pissed me off because I was usually able to get a good read on my woman. But I was on edge now. I was so fucking close to losing her, and I didn't want that.
I was also man enough to realize that she needed to make this decision without any emotion from me. I had to chill and give her the opportunity and space she needed to decide.But it’s fucking killing me.
"When does your dinner with the committee begin?" Donna asked Megan.
"In about one and a half hours."
"Oh, good. That gives us plenty of time to celebrate."
"Yeah. Boss, can we take the rest of the afternoon off?" Derrick asked.
What was the alternative? Half the team had already drunk a flute, and the other had drunk more than one. Besides, this was a great reason to celebrate.
"Yeah, we're all taking the afternoon off."
