“I’m not sure, but I don’t think selling is the right thing to do.”
“I know this isn’t a usual occurrence, but I agree with you.” He grinned and pressed our foreheads together. “And what does that mean for you?” His expression betrayed the first signs of emotion. It looked like hope.
“I was thinking… that I’d stick around for a while.”
“How long is ‘a while’?”
“I’m not sure. As long as it feels right, I guess.” I worried my bottom lip with my teeth. “Would you be okay with that? Having a long-term roommate?”
“I think you know the answer to that, Emma Walters.” He squeezed my body into his. I placed my hand on his chest, pressing the chess piece that I was still holding into his pec.
“Is that my bishop?” He furrowed his brow in mock indignation.
“It was your bishop,” I quipped. “But now it’s my bishop.”
“His name was Thomas, and he had a pet collie named Peter. Who’s gonna take Peter for his daily walks?”
“Perhaps Thomas should have thought about Peter when he threatened my rook.” I squealed laughing when Dan hoisted me onto his shoulder. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to take you upstairs and avenge Thomas’s death.” He took the stairs two at a time. He tossed me onto my bed and peeled off my leggings before doing something with his lips, tongue, and hands that made me sorry that he only had two bishops to capture.
Dan had taken a rare day off to watch a cricket game, and I was curled up on the couch with my feet in his lap, where he massaged them in between cheering and swearing at the screen or texting with his brother, who was watching in London.
My phone rang and I didn’t recognize the number, so I ignored it. It was a clear indication of how far I’d come since moving to the farm because three weeks ago, the idea of not answering my phone would be like asking me not to breathe. In fact, it was not answering my phone that had cost me my job.
Speaking of my job…
My phone rang again. This time, I knew the number very well.
Nina.
Nina Laramie was calling me.
It was the same Nina Laramie who’d fired me while doing an impression of Miranda Priestly fromThe Devil Wears Pradathatwas so terrifying, Meryl Streep would hand over one of her Oscars. I had no idea why I was so shocked. Max, in her infinite wisdom and despite being three martinis deep, predicted this.
“Abey Yaar!” Dan shouted and dropped my foot to shake his fist at the screen. His angry outbursts usually elicited a giggle from me. Responding to my silence, he turned from the screen to face me.
“All right, Emma?” Dan asked me after Nina’s third sequential call. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“My boss is calling me.” I held up my cell phone to show him the screen.
“The boss that sacked you for taking one bloody night for yourself?” He raised an eyebrow and I nodded. “Well, first of all, you don’t need to whisper because she can’t hear you.” I smirked at him and narrowed my eyes. “And second, you don’t have a boss, remember?” My grin grew into a smile. “Now, you either need to answer your mobile or turn it off so I can explain what a googly is for the third time, since you seem to keep forgetting.”
“Maybe I like hearing you say the wordgoogly”—I giggled—“andwicket.”
“Emma.” He cast a stern glance at my phone.
After heaving a deep sigh, I answered Nina’s call.
“Emma, darling,” she crooned. “It’s been ages. Have I caught you at a bad time?”
“Um, no.” I swung my feet out of Dan’s lap and stood. “I have a few minutes to talk.” I was trying to walk past the couch when he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into his lap. It took every ounce of decorum not to giggle or squeal.
“A few minutes is all I need. I’ll cut through the bullshit and smalltalk. Firing you was a mistake. I’m a big girl and can admit when I’m wrong. So my checkbook is open, and I need you to tell me how many zeros to put on it to get you back at your desk on Monday.”
“Nina, I’m just not interested in going back—”
“Did you get an offer from another firm? Was it Peach Blossom? If it was, I can guarantee you won’t have nearly as many options there as you would if you worked for me. I’m willing to go twenty percent above any other offer you’ve received—presented in writing—plus a promotion.”
