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“The contractors areconfirmed to start the renovations on Monday.” Austin pressed the phone to his ear and leaned back in his seat. His gaze raked over the skyline from his new office. “There’s some work to do, but they seem confident with a three-week turnaround.”
“Well, keep us posted, kid. And hire yourself an assistant—or two. Just get ’em on the books before the end of the fiscal year, eh?” Steven Boyd’s booming voice barked into the phone.
“There’s about thirty-seven applicants in the pool right now.” Austin leaned forward and scrolled through the growing list in his inbox. He grinned as another one popped in. “Make that thirty-eight.”
“Loop Bernice in for the details, but just hire what you need.”
Austin nodded and tapped the screen.
“I appreciate that, sir.”
“Keep going, kid. You’re doing great. Anything you need, just move on it. We trust you.”
Austin swallowed, gulping down the compliments from two thousand miles away. “Thank you,” he choked out as a bead of sweat glistened on his forehead.
“Up and running by August, Templeton.”
His eyes widened, glancing at the calendar.Three months.“That’s the plan,” he murmured, swallowing a bundle of nerves. “And I’ll keep you updated on the construction.”
“Sounds good. Enjoy the weekend.”
“Thanks. You too.”
Steven ended the call, and Austin dropped back in his chair. He sucked in a breath, replaying the conversation in his mind. His gaze surveyed the empty space around him. Within the last two weeks, a team had dismantled every cubicle and rolled out every chair. Austin tapped the surface of his desk with a grin.Except for this piece.His hand skimmed the surface, recalling the moment he claimed it for his own.
Cinderella...
Snapping his laptop closed, Austin packed up his things, tossed his jacket on, and headed out of the suite for the weekend. Within minutes, the roar of the red line clattered down the tracks and stopped at the platform. He hopped into a crowded car and stuffed his hands inside his coat before taking a seat.I love this city, but I really miss my Vette.
The train stopped at Addison. Stepping outside, Austin headed down the rickety stairs of the platform as his phone vibrated in his pocket. He rounded the corner and cringed as Lauren’s name flashed across the screen.
Shit. I owe you a call. Or three...
“Hello?”
“So, you are alive! I guess I owe Josh twenty bucks.”
“Shit, I’m sorry, Lauren.” He shook his head as the apartment building came into view. “I suck. I should have called you sooner.”
“No... no... we all know you’re busy. Just wanted to check in though. How’s Chicago?”
He grinned. “You know, Lauren, it’s good. Everything is just...” He lifted his gaze to the third floor of the building, automatically searching for Mavis’s old room. But it landed on Casey’s instead, her glowing red Christmas lights brightening the spring afternoon. “Really good.” He snickered and sat down on the front stoop, his butt meeting the cold concrete.
“You sound happy, Austin.”
I haven’t felt this good in a long time.
“I am.” He swallowed, recalling the moment Boyd and Bernstein offered him the job. As if they knew heneededit.
“We miss you though.” Her voice wavered. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too.” He sighed.I should have called you sooner.“Umm... how’re you? How’s the restaurant?”
She snorted. “Still standing. Still a pain in my butt. You know how it is.”
“And Mitch?”
“Umm, well you know. Mitch is Mitch. We’ll push through it.” She cleared her throat. “Oh! But hey, tell me about Casey. You know Mavs is still totally rattled that you moved in with her!”
