He flicked the coin so it flew through the air toward her.
She reached out and caught it with one hand.
“Make that wish when you’re ready.” He tilted his head toward the surface of the water in the fountain.
Sadie stared at the penny a beat, stuck it in her own pocket, and left.
Roman knew a lot of things. He knew he cared for a girl who he’d only spent two weekends with. He knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. And he knew that she wanted to make that wish, but something was stopping her.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“I’m not interested in moving back.” Sadie was on a call with one of the partners from her old firm. He was no longer with that firm—he didn’t care for their philosophies. He’d joined forces with attorneys from a couple other firms to create his vision of utopia.
“We’re bringing on the best. That’s you. I told the others about that time you wrung every cent out of that video producer after he stepped out on his wife. That was inspired.”
Sadie’s client had deserved everything she had managed to get for her.
“When you come on board, we’ll set up a direct path to partnership for you. We guarantee that you’ll be on the track to partner within the next five years.”
That was great, but Sadie was already a partner. Did it count as being a partner if it was in a firm of one? She was going to go with yes. Yes, it did.
“I am flattered you reached out.” She glanced up as Marlee knocked softly on the door jamb with Mom close behind holding Luke. Lothario sat at Marlee’s feet.
“What’s the number?” Brad asked. “Tell me how much it’ll take to bring you back and I’ll see what I can swing.”
“There’s no number.” She couldn’t go back to Chicago. Because Chicago didn’t have Roman.
They’d already used up their one chance, so everything was now borrowed time. But it was borrowed time she was enjoying the hell out of and she didn’t want it to end.
But then Brad went and named a number that made Sadie sit up straight.
“You cannot be serious,” she said on a gasp. So much for keeping her cool in negotiations.
“You’ve also shown interest and promise with defense work,” Brad went on. “I’ll pair you up with Bernice. She’s heading that department. You can build your client list there, if that’s what you’d prefer.”
Well, he was just sweetening the pot all over, wasn’t he?
Except this was Chicago.
She’d been there, done that, and came home.
This deal though? It could be perfection.
Perfection without Roman.
Which wasn’t perfection at all.
“Don’t say no yet,” Brad said when she didn’t respond. “Take some time. Think about it.”
Sadie gnawed at the inside of her cheek. “I’ll think about it.”
Brad ended the call, leaving Sadie staring at the receiver.
“Nice goldfish.” Marlee admired Wasabi and Sushi swimming in their bowl. Lothario curled up in the bean bag chair while Mom snuggled Luke.
“They were a gift from the receptionist who won’t leave.” Sadie stood, moved toward Luke, and cooed at him. “She’s brought her friend with her to work, too.”
“Things aren’t so great in paradise?” Marlee dropped to the sofa. Motherhood suited her. She’d never looked so happy—or so tired.
