“Someday.” She smiles.
“Someday sounds nice.” I pull her into my arms and wrap her up tight. “Everything is going to be okay.”
“You think?”
“I do.”
“Maybe you’re right.” Willa leans back and looks up at me. “I heard from Stan. You know, dad’s friend at the non-profit.”
“Yeah?”
“I start on Monday.”
“What?” My voice suddenly loud. “No way!” I’m over-the-moon thrilled at her news. Sure, I’ll miss having her home all day, safe and sound, but that lifestyle isn’t for Willa. At least not right now.
“Yes. Way.”
Reaching down, I place my hands on Willa’s gorgeous ass and lift her up onto the kitchen counter. Once seated, I step between her legs and kiss the ever-loving hell out of her. “I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m proud of me too.”
We kiss again, deeper this time. My hands are everywhere. I hope she’s on board.
“One more thing.”
My hands stop their trek into her shirt. “What?”
“McAllisters want to settle.”
“Already?”
“Yep. Jason said they were anxious to sweep it under the rug.”
“I’ll bet.”
“How much?”
“Twenty-five thousand.”
Jesus. Talk about low-balling my girl. “Did you take it?”
“I wanted to, but Jason said we should counter.” Willa frowns. “He said it’s just a starting point and that they’ll expect a counteroffer.”
“You don’t want to counter?”
“I’d like it to be over.”
“Then take the offer.”
Willa’s eyes meet mine. I can see those cogs working. She’s about to ask me something, and I’ll need to decide whether to give her my true answer or the one she wants to hear. “What?”
“What would you do?”
And there it is. So, I’ve got to think. “What would I do?” I’ve still got her wrapped up in my arms. “Ordinarily, I’d go with my gut. I’d probably counter.”
“Okay.”
“But that’s me. I think of the business side of it. This is personal for you. Emotional. If it would alleviate some of your stress, take the original offer, invest it, save it, or spend it. Have some fun with it. And move on.”
