YES
Brigit’s world shifted alittle. She wouldn’t dismiss Colton as he’d done to her, but she wasn’t going to work for him, either. “Until Seth provides you with a list of viable candidates, I’ll offer a one-time consultation.” Brigit pulled a pen from her center drawer.
Colton’s jaw muscles ticked. “You’re moving in the right direction.”
“Before I sign anything, I’d like to view your list of distressed companies.”
On Colton’s nod, Dez handed over the summary page. Though the Francesco Company should have been included, it was not. That made no sense. The stock had been lackluster for months, yet he didn’t want her reviewing that investment. Unknowingly, he’d cut her a break. She’d no intention of providing him with any counsel onhercompany.
“I sign this and you leave.” She placed the tip of her pen on the signature line and shifted her gaze to Colton. His nod left her no choice.
Escorting the men out, Brigit couldn’t ignore the stares. Were brokers eyeing Colton because of his wealth or his reputation? Probably both, but neither mattered. The painful irony of her situation was apparent. Had he agreed to a meeting years ago, he might not have been in his current predicament. But the past was just that.
Time to step into her future, which included Colton Mitus sooner than she anticipated, and in a way she never imagined.
Standing in reception, she watched as the two men vanished into the elevator. “There goes a handful.”
“Nothing you can’t manage,” Shaniqua said.
“Taking that man on as a client issonot happening.”
“I’m not sure even headstrong Brigit Farnay can stop the Colton Mitus locomotive.” Shaniqua raised an eyebrow. “And who would want to?”
Brigit tapped the counter twice with her knuckles. “Me, that’s who.” She took off toward her office, hoping to pack up and leave in the next ten minutes.
Her desk phone buzzed. Kaleb.Not again.It had been such a long week.Here goes.She lifted the handset. “Hi, Kaleb.”
“You might want to leave,” Kaleb whispered. “I heard Internado yell, ‘How dare you accuse me ofthat?’”
Her stomach churned. “What did Seth say?”
“He yelled back, ‘Then why the hell did you give Brigit this hotel key?’”
Brigit’s mouth dried up. She had, after all, accused a very powerful senator of a highly inappropriate action. “And?”
“The senator stopped shouting,” Kaleb said. “I can’t hear anything else. You’ve spent a lot of time in Seth’s office this week. Thought you’d like a heads-up.”
“Thanks. Join us at Sullivan’s for happy hour.” Eager to leave, she hung up and shut down.
Kat popped into her office. “I don’t need to ask if you’re ready for a glass of wine.”
“My sights are set on a bottle.” Brigit shrugged on her coat, threw her laptop satchel over her shoulder and grabbed her handbag. “Let’s bolt.”
In congested D.C. traffic, Kat inched her car toward Sullivan’s of Georgetown. Rather than girl-chatter about their day, Kat punched up music on her playlist and belted out the lyrics. Brigit loved how Kat knew she needed chill time.
Brigit stared at the storefronts and office buildings, trying not to dwell on her surprise visitors. The anxiety-inducing events would drift away as soon as she took that first sip. Ever since her parents’ deaths, alcohol helped numb her pain.
After Kat parked on a nearby side street, the two woman hustled inside the restaurant and claimed their table for six in the bar area. Within minutes, the popular watering hole grew crowded with Washingtonians jump-starting their weekend. The familiar smell of beer on tap, the warm amber lighting and the rich mahogany and leather decor comforted Brigit’s restive heart. Rick Sullivan, owner and head bartender, treated Porter, Gabriel and Sethfield’s wealth advisors like royalty with discounts on the drinks and eats.
Both women ordered a glass of wine, delivered by their server in record time. “I’ve had an unusual job offer.” As Brigit sipped her pinot noir, the delicious bouquet of berry flavors blossomed on her tongue.
“I had a feeling something was up,” Kat said. “You spent most of yesterday in Seth’s office.”
“Colton Mitus needs a wealth manager.”
“Ah, yes, the tall, handsome and intimidating man guilty of causing hysteria amongst the ranks. Everyone is envious, Brig.”
“Because of Mitus?” Brigit rolled her eyes. “Puhleeese.”
