I toy with the edge of the paper. “I really don’t want thisgetting messy. I’ll be happy with a few bucks and to call it a day.”
Going public with this is the last thing I want. Not only for me, but for Talia. If news got out, the press would come digging around Iris Meadows, and she’s worked hard to keep herself off their radar ever since Tate blew up.
Tate’s proposal is more than generous, and something tells me it has more to do with his wife than me.
“I understand, but don’t sell yourself short, Harriet. They fucked up, and from the sounds of it, Tate is in your corner.”
With zero expectations, I flip open the folder and scan the pages.
I slam my hand on the table and snort.
Then, my laugh turns maniacal until I’m clutching my side, trying to stop my cackle from jostling the baby too much.
Steven is right to appear wary. I’ve lost my fucking mind and have started hallucinating. He peers over, and I ready myself for him to throw ice cold water over me, because the offer I’m readingcannotbe right.
His mouth drops open. “They aren’t messing around.”
I freeze. “This is real?”
“This”—he taps the seven-figure value—“is astronomical. And look at the royalties.”
My gaze lowers to more numbers. I’m lightheaded and shut my eyes as the room spins.
Steven, being the sane one, laughs lightly. “Do you need time to consider?”
“What I need is to lie down.” I collapse into the chair. “This type of money is life changing.”
“It is. And you deserve the recognition. It’s a great song, Harriet.”
It’s easy to allow my mind to float up to the stars as I imagine what this money could do. I could buy a house,pay off any debt and upcoming hospital bills, not have to rush back to work after the baby arrives.
Jesus, I could build my own recording studio if I wanted.
Warren’s been quietly stewing over his decision to step down as a firefighter, but with this in the cards, he can stop worrying.
“From the glazed look in your eyes, I take it you’ve made your decision?” Steven asks.
I cover my face with my hands, laughing again. “Call them in before I lose my shit.”
We dotthe i’s and cross the t’s.There are no fireworks or popping of champagne bottles. That’s all going on in my head as I vibrate in my seat while we sign the settlement agreement.
And that’s it.
We shake hands, and they leave us to it.
The second the door closes, I pull Steven into a hug. He goes rigid against me before awkwardly patting me on the back.
“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” I’m almost sobbing into his pristine suit jacket, and I pull away before I cover him with snot.
“It’s my pleasure, Harriet. There’ll be some details to finalize, but I can handle it from here. You can enjoy the rest of your pregnancy, and I’ll touch base with Talia if I need your input.”
There’s no controlling my wild grin. My cheeks hurt, and I massage them when there’s a knock on the door.
His Stetson appears first.
“Tate, you can’t go in there,” a voice calls. He ignores them, steps into the room, and promptly flips the lock on the door.
When he spots me, a shy smile pulls at his lips as he dips the edge of his hat. “Hey, stranger.”
