It does have charm. It also has Isla. The woman who made it clear back at Christmas that we absolutely will be keeping to our agreement of having only one night, only for her to let me take her again weeks later. She’s hot and cold. In fact, for a split second, I could have sworn that she didn’t quite want to see me again. That situation might be tricky.
However, the seven-figure salary before me is persuasive. This is a no-brainer, even if it means I’ll need to forfeit my Caribbean holiday that I thought of taking next month to unwind.
Truthfully, I don’t need Declan pulling out the stops. We wouldn’t be here if we were still in negotiations.
Quickly I glance to my lawyer who gives me an assuring nod. There is no more stalling.
“I get to keep the pen, right?” I smile.
Ease hits Declan’s face, and our lawyers even crack a smile.
Declan reaches over the table to hand me the pen. “I’ll even buy you a set.”
I quickly sign my initials on each page then add my signature on the last page next to where Declan already signed.
As I slam the pen down, our lawyers are already shaking hands, and Declan stands to button his suit jacket and circles around the table to shake my hand.
His other hand lands on my shoulder. “I’m excited for this. I’ll be sure that someone from the team contacts you right away to sort out the logistics of the move. We need you up there as soon as possible. Of course, my wife will be expecting you over for dinner. My nephew will be thrilled, that is, if he doesn’t sign with another team for next season.”
“If we give him a good offer then maybe he will stay,” I say. I already need to think like a manager.
Declan chuckles. “I’ll stay out of that one.” He leans down to look at the signed contract and then slides it to his lawyer. “We should get a bottle of champagne in here before I need to fly back. My daughter has a ballet class where the parents can watch. She’s only three but watching her wobble around is the cutest.”
I only nod because I can’t exactly picture it.
“There is one matter that we might need to discuss. As much as I’m sure grown men can be professional, uh, Briggs Chase does absolutely hate me,” I point out.
It only causes Declan to grin. “He does. But he is going to have to suck it up. Besides, I’m not sure he will be sticking around. I know contract talks might be difficult with him, as he is an unrestricted agent now, plus maybe he has gotten softer lately since his personal life has had so many changes.”
That piques my interest. “Oh? Everything okay?”
“For sure, just his personal life is occupied with his girlfriend and sister. Plus, he lives in Lake Spark, and you can’t not be happy when you live in Lake Spark.”
I laugh because his small-town pride is a far cry from his days as bonafide bachelor, with his city penthouse.
“Be sure to send me a welcome basket,” I joke.
Someone opens the door to the meeting room and brings in champagne on ice with flutes.
“That can be arranged.”
It hits me that I’m going to move to Lake Spark.
* * *
Sittingon the private plane a few days later, I trace the button on my phone near Isla’s name.
Maybe I should text or give a warning. They are announcing my new role tomorrow to the press. If she really doesn’t want to see me, then she’s going to have a hard time avoiding me. Plus, maybe I want to see her. She occasionally lingers in my thoughts. More than she should since that night of comfort sex in my car.
I shake off the idea of texting her and glance out the window to see corn fields, which has mostly been what I’ve seen for the last hour. Luckily, as we approach the private airport near Lake Spark, the view begins to change. More greenery, tall pines, winding roads amongst small hills, and an emerald lake in the far-off distance.
Tucking my phone away, I get ready for landing.
This is my new adventure.
The landing is smooth, and when I disembark from the plane, I’m instantly greeted by Declan standing on the tarmac next to Connor.
“Welcome!” he calls out while Connor grins broadly.
