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“Actually, it’s the normal end of the day.” She pointed to the clock to show it was past five. “I finished everything I needed to, and I stayed late every night this week.”
“Of course,” Robert boomed enthusiastically. “You go on. We’ll see you Monday. You too, Hailey.”
They watched him walk away. Hailey waited till he was out of sight to turn on her. “This isn’t the way to earn a promotion.”
Rachel paused as she was lifting her purse. She wanted that promotion bad, but suddenly it felt like it was at the cost of people who were important to her—including Jamie, because she’d be devastated not seeing him tonight. Nothing was worth that.
Not to mention that they’d won today. And her promotion wasn’t up to Hailey—it was up to Robert, and Robert had personally come to make sure she’d give Threshold input on their plans. Surely one night—a Friday night—wouldn’t affect her promotion? Especially when she’d shown that all week.
Maybe she could spin this in a way that would be win-win for both her and Hailey. “I have important plans this evening,” she ad-libbed as she stood. “I’m having dinner with a friend. He might be in the market for a firm.”
Hailey rolled her eyes. “I’m sure your friend couldn’t afford the firm.”
“Actually, he can.” She winced on the inside. She hadn’t meant to see his net worth, but it’d been one of the top questions people Googled in regard to him.
Her boss stared at her suspiciously. “Who is he?”
She shook her head as she began to edge out of her cubicle. “It’s premature for all that, but after I get a better bead on him, I’ll let you know.” She slipped past Hailey, wincing as her shoes rubbed her feet painfully. “See you on Monday!” she called as she hurried off.
“Rachel—”
She ignored her boss’s call, rushing to the bank of elevators. Fortunately one opened right then. She darted in and quickly hit the close-door button. It wasn’t until the elevator began moving that she breathed a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness she managed to get out.
But what a blow, seeing the plans for the redevelopment. Bad enough that they wanted to take over so much of the neighborhood, but it was tragic that their plans included Clancy’s, because Rachel knew that there was no stopping them. When a company like this set its sights on a piece of real estate, it was only a matter of time before they pushed everyone resisting out and acquired it.
Plus, Chris needed money, and they’d throw a lot at him to buy him out. Unlike Lottie, he might not be able to turn them down, and then he’d hate himself for selling the last thing he had from his grandfather, who’d been his Lottie.
But if she could help Chris get business booming again, and if she could convince their client that they should include Clancy’s in the redevelopment, then maybe everything would work out.
Except now that she knew about this project, helping Chris would be frowned upon. A lot of people moonlighted with private clients, but it was always with a tacit understanding that there’d be no conflict of interest with clients represented by the firm.
If anyone—Hailey—found out she was helping him, she’d be in trouble. Even if he’d been her best friend since childhood.
But Robert had assured her the plans were premature, if not actionable. He wouldn’t just say that to her. She took the L back to Hyde Park and hobbled home, trying not to think that there was a possibility this wouldn’t be home for much longer. She’d just talk to Robert more on Monday and tell him how the second phase development would be a detriment to Hyde Park, period.
“I’m home, Lottie,” she called, taking off her shoes with a groan.
“You’re home early,” Lottie said, coming out of the kitchen, her apron tied around her waist. “I thought for sure you’d be late for your dinner with Jamie.”
“No way.” Dumping her purse in its usual spot, she kissed her grandma’s cheek. “I need to shower and figure out what to wear.”
“Wear something pretty. And do you have protection?”
She nearly tripped even though she was standing still. Her face flaming, she exclaimed, “Grandmother.”
Lottie snorted. “We’re both modern women. You shouldn’t just expect the man to take care of everything. You need to take care of your own well-being.” She patted Rachel’s arm. “Don’t worry,” she said as she walked away.
Shaking her head, still mortified, she ran up the stairs to quickly shower and change. She was standing in her closet, trying to decide between her dresses, when Lottie breezed into her room.
“Here you go.”
She turned around and gaped as Lottie set a strip of condoms on her dresser. She covered her eyes. “Oh my gosh, I’m never going to be able to unsee you holding all those condoms. Where did you get them from?”
“My bedroom.” Her grandma folded her arms, daring Rachel with her expression to say anything about that.
Rachel held a hand out. “I don’t even want to know.”
