‘I’m fine. Really.’
‘We’ll be outside,’ Williams says sheepishly. ‘Thank you for your help, Scarlett. I know what it took for you to do this.’
I nod, my mind drawing a blank on the most appropriate thing to say.
‘Thank you, Scarlett,’ Lawrence says, stroking my arm as he passes me.
‘You should go too, Gregory.’
He looks at me, hurt I think, as if I’m pushing him away.
‘I need to tidy all this up now.’
‘Have dinner with me tonight.’
I recoil, wanting so much to say yes, but surprised by his request and knowing that I can’t. This is the deal. I wanted to help him. I needed to protect him. But it’s done. He lives in a different world to me. One that I’m not sure I can be part of.
‘Gregory, I told you I was done after this.’
He takes my face in both hands. I close my eyes, anticipating the touch of his lips to mine, but it doesn’t come.
‘It’s a completion dinner, Scarlett. A thank you for closing the transaction, just the same as every other deal and every other client, that’s all. Jackson will pick you up from home at eight.’
I eventually open my eyes as the door clicks shut behind him, my body cold from the loss of contact.
14
It’s done. I’ve taken the steps necessary to finalise the deal. Gregory Ryans is about to become the proud owner of a company he hates and his own father’s demise.
Now I’m standing in the window of my office, watching people going about their business on the streets below. It’s approaching rush hour. If I’m going to dinner, I have to leave soon.
Am I going to dinner?
I fold my arms across my chest. I think it would be best if I didn’t. If I walked away.
It wouldn’t help to see him again. This is cleaner. ‘But…’ I practically exhale the word.
I should really go, see Lawrence, Williams and, yes, Gregory, because they are clients. Even if they don’t come back to me, the legal world is small, we should part ways on good terms.
Then there’s Jack. Gregory wiped out my boss and had some part to play in his resignation from the partnership. I want to know what that is.
I move to my desk and slump into my chair as Margaret calls goodnight.
And why does he feel the need to protect me?
And what was that, in the room, before he left? Was he going to kiss me?
Flopping forwards, I drop my head in my arms on my desk. I can’t remember ever being so confused.
He’s had more than one chance to kiss me and he hasn’t. I’m not delusional. He’s chosen not to kiss me.
Do I even want him to kiss me?
In the few times I’ve met him, he’s lost his temper with me – and just as quickly turned on the charm. He’s punched my boss. He’s tried to fight Pearson – for good reasons. He’s taken something, immorally, underhandedly – although I understand why.
‘Damn it, even now I’m defending him.’ Closure is what I need.
Glancing at my watch, I quickly shut down my computer and start packing up my tote.
