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“Everything is here?” I ask, glancing at Nick. He’s sitting on the arm of one of the upholstered chairs. He nods.
“I’ll probably take most of it home with me, since he flies out tomorrow. No point in driving all the way here again. I live a little closer to the city.”
“Oh.” I don’t know what else to say. I don’t want to imagine Nick Weaver’s home. I don’t want to think about what his bed might look like with him sprawled out in it.
An awkward silence hangs between us. Nick stands abruptly and goes to the cabinets, pulling out some folders and reading others with a critical eye.
“Why don’t we take these somewhere more comfortable?”
He leads me back downstairs, into the large and open kitchen. There’s a dining area near a row of French doors, again looking out at the spacious property. Nick tosses the folders on the table. I take a seat, on the edge of the chair, feeling nervous for some reason.
I shouldn’t be. This is just work, after all.
But then Nick’s cell rings and I can’t help jumping, pressing a hand to my chest.
“Sorry, I have to take this.”
With an apologetic smile, he answers and steps out of the room.
After a moment I slide the folders over and start looking through them. It’s Collin Weaver’s financials, a list of every single one of his bank and investment accounts. A good place to start, since he’s the patriarch and will need to outline who is going to inherit what – once we know what assets to list.
There’s a rustle from the kitchen.
I look up to find Vanessa watching me, an amused expression on her face.
“Hello.”
Clearing my throat, I return the greeting. A warm flush starts up my chest. I don’t want to be alone in the same room with Nick’s wife, not after what happened between us. I already feel dirty enough, trapped in this situation with him.
“We didn’t get the chance to talk at the meeting,” she says, making her way to the table. Her gaze drops to the folders. “Ahh, I see you have my dad’s financials.”
What?
“Your--?”
“I’m Vanessa,” she says, holding out a hand for a casual handshake. “Weaver. Nick’s sister.”
All the breath goes out of me.Of course.When Ben gave me the introductory paperwork, it listed two siblings. Why didn’t I put that together?
I shake off the surprise and smile weakly, taking Vanessa’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you outside of the office. Sorry—I’ve had a bit of a stressful week.”
Her eyes glitter with understanding, and then two little girls run into the room like a tornado. They chase each other around the kitchen island, one screeching and the other laughing.
“My daughters,” Vanessa sighs. “Girls, just because grandpa isn’t here doesn’t mean you can misbehave!” She pulls out a chair and slumps into it, looking exhausted. “We’re staying here tonight before starting the drive home. I live about two hours north,” she explains. “And I just can’t deal with those two in a car after a long day.”
She shrugs, and I smile shyly. “Is your husband also…?”
“Oh, actually, my husband passed away years ago.”
Can I make a bigger ass of myself? Wincing, I say, “I’m so sorry, I just assumed… I shouldn’t have assumed.”
Vanessa is kind enough to wave it off with a chuckle. “Everyone does, to be honest. It’s hard for them to believe that I juggle so much on my own; dad’s business, the girls, my house.” She sighs, looking toward the doorway the girls disappeared into.
“So what do you do?” I ask. “For the business?”
“I head the customer service team. Not very exciting, but we have about two hundred employees in that department alone. Right now we’re onboarding another eighty in the UK.”
“Wow, that’s…”
