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“Perhaps,” I answer, but we all know it’s my polite way of declining all offers.
They nod, Mr. Redmond giving me a sad, yet supportive smile. “You gave us many exceptional years, Miss Rhodes.”
“Ashlyn,” I correct him. “Please, call me Ashlyn.”
His smile turns kind. “Ashlyn, as I was saying, you gave us many exceptional years and put our firm in the spotlight frequently with your expertise. All calls to your clients this last day have brought nothing but praise. If you move forth with your ethics complaint against Brock Donner, we will do as we need to, but as of thirty minutes ago, he understands he’s on shaky ground. He claims you two are engaged, but we knew this was his attempt to cover his discretions. He will not pose a problem for you anymore.”
“I’m not bringing a formal complaint against him.” I decide in that second. “I’m also not marrying him. He’s an ass, but as of this moment, he’s vapor.”
My breath hitches, and I press my lips together at such a trendy reference.
“Nice,” Scottie utters approvingly.
“Vapor sounds about right. He’s on thin ice. It seems his ambitions took him down a path of little return.”
“I made a grave mistake in judgment getting involved with Brock years ago. Hopefully, that doesn’t tarnish your opinion of me.”
“Never, Miss- ah, Ashlyn,” he corrects. “We may be on a different floor, but we’re not on a different planet. Your relationship had the base to make the most untouchable power couple in the city. Unfortunately, we only got the bits and pieces.”
Miller goes stone still, a low rumble coming from him.
“We now know what was happening and you’re completely off the market.” Mr. Reid aims his comment to Miller.
“Has been for a while,” Miller responds gruffly.
I place my hand on his chest, silently sending the message to chill out.
“Son, I met my wife as a lowly law clerk. She was a legal secretary for a big-wig lawyer who had his sights on her. I moved fast. Five kids, thirteen grandchildren later, she’s the best thing in my life. I tell her every day. Still, at my age, I have spirit. I’m assuming you are responsible for Brock’s jaw?”
At the term ‘son’, the mood in the room shifts to a lighter vibe. Miller fully embraces me to his side. “He hurt her, I wanted to kill him.”
“Hah!” Mr. Redmond howls. “The Prada Princess scores her a bruiser.”
Suddenly, the moniker Prada Princess becomes so much more. I want to dance around the room in my two-thousand-dollar designer dress and squeal in triumph. Instead, I lean my cheek into Miller’s chest.
“He’s bossy, rough around the edges, and overly possessive.”
“Take my advice, lock her down now. Then prepare for a life of headaches in the best way,” Mr. Redmond joins in.
“She’s a headache already.”
“Hey!” I poke Miller playfully. “You better watch it. I just received an offer to be a partner in a prestigious law firm in Chicago. Your headaches can go away.”
There’s a quick silence, then every man erupts.
“On that note, we will let you get home.” Mr. Redmond reaches in his pocket and pulls out two business cards at the same time Mr. Reid passes me one. “Arthur Kersh couldn’t join us because he’s putting out fires, but you will always have glowing references from us. Don’t hesitate to use them. And if you choose to discuss our offer of virtual employment, it would be automatic approval.”
I glance at the three business cards, scribbled with each man’s personal email address and phone number. My throat clogs again because this is huge.
“Thank you. All those years here, and I lived under the impression you three men were unapproachable. Tremendous mistake on my behalf,” I whisper, trying to compose myself, then think of something that needs addressing before they leave. I break away from Miller and swing open my door.
“Can someone please have Lena come to my office now?”
Bodies scramble, and Lena appears at the door of a tiny office a few doors down. She comes toward me reluctantly, her hatred still fuming. When she walks in and spots the two founders, her body tenses and she goes white.
“Gentleman, I spent the morning going through files Lena has prepared. She did an excellent job, captured key points, and shows potential to seal this merger. My notes are yours to do what you want, but this woman gave her all to the case, and it shows.”
Scottie moves to my computer, printing the notes, and brings them back to me. I hand them immediately to her. “You can take my recommendations or not, but it’s all there.”
Her hands tremble as she looks them over. “Thank you, Ashlyn.”
“Do you have a business card?” I ask Miller.
He takes out his wallet, eyeing me weirdly as he hands one over. I go to my desk, blackout his personal information, and scribble my number and email.
