Elastic Hearts (Hearts #3)(91)

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I thought if I told you the truth, you’d fire him,” she said, and I could tell she was crying. I saw her cry the other day, but hearing her like this and knowing I wasn’t there to comfort her made my heart physically ache.

“Why would I fire him?”

“Because he’s my lawyer,” she said, crying openly. “Please, Dad. Please don’t fire him. It’s my fault. I pushed him and pushed him.”

I closed my eyes, burying my face in my hands. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t sit there listening to her plead for me like this.

“He’s not getting fired,” Will said. My head snapped up.

“Oh, thank God,” she said, sniffling. “Thank God.”

“He said he told you he’s in love with you.”

“He did.” She sniffled. “And I love him.”

Will stayed quiet for a moment, his eyes appraising me. I kept my face neutral because I wasn’t sure I wanted him reading into my relief. I didn’t want him to know I felt like celebrating. He smiled after a couple beats. “Okay, sweetheart. I’ll let you go now.”

“Okay. Talk to you later.”

He ended the call and drummed his fingers on the table. “So . . . that happened.”

“Like I was saying, when I met you, I saw myself twenty years prior. I didn’t have a mentor or anybody to walk me through things or help me when I f*cked up, and I really wanted to be that person for you,” he said. “But then I hired you, and I never really had to do that. You were like a newborn child who was already potty-trained. I’ve never seen anything like it. I didn’t assign you to take care of my daughter’s divorce so you could make partner. You were going to make partner anyway. That promotion has been yours since you stepped foot in this office.” He paused.

To know I had his support for the role was incredible. While gaining Nicole in my life was a far greater reward, I couldn’t deny the way hearing those words made me feel.

“I wanted you to represent her because I knew you’d do right by her, and I know you’ll do right by her now as well.”

I let out a breath. “Thank you. That means a lot.” More than he could ever know.

“You wanna know how I know you’re right for her?”

I swallowed. “How?”

“Because I don’t even feel like I need to give you a warning, or tell you the things I’d do if you f*ck things up, though maybe I should warn you that she can be a little difficult.”

I chuckled. “I got that part.”

“So then you’re good,” he said, smiling. “I couldn’t have picked a better man for her.”

“Thank you,” I said, because I didn’t know what else to say and f*ck me, I was feeling emotional. “I’ll always do right by her, Will.” I took a deep, relieved breath. “Does this mean I’m not getting demoted?”

Will laughed. “Yes, but you will need to take time off until Nicole’s papers come in.”

“And not work?”

“And not work.”

My jaw dropped. “What the f*ck am I supposed to do?”

“You’ll figure something out.”

I sighed. I guess I would have to.

On my way out, I took a pit stop to Corinne’s office to let her know. She looked at me like she wasn’t sure what to do with the information.

“You’re serious?”

“Yes, I’m serious. Why would I joke about that?”

“But you never take days off.”

“Maybe I was waiting for my vacation to accumulate so I could take a longer break.”

She frowned. “Six years later?”

“Corrine,” I said, sighing. She closed her mouth when she realized she was pushing my buttons.

“Sorry. I just . . . I’m shocked. Does that mean we’ll be on vacation at the same time? Does that mean I won’t be able to take my vacation?”

Why did she have to get so shrilly? I let her have her moment, but instead of getting over it, she continued to look at me like I had some kind of answer written on my face. Finally, I cleared my throat.

“You put in your vacation and you’ll take it. There are five other attorneys in this office, Corinne. Go get engaged, or married, or whatever,” I said.

“What will you do?”

I made a face. How was that her business? “Not go get engaged or married or whatever,” I responded. She smiled.

“I heard,” she whispered, leaning into the desk as if she were sharing a great secret with me, “that you’re in a very serious relationship.”

I opened my mouth and closed it immediately. Whatever I said would be used against me for life around the office, and taking time off for what I’d done was the most lenient form of punishment for most people. Even though being without work for more than a couple days was like walking through the pits of hell, I had to be grateful it was all I got. That said, being out in the open with Nicole right now wouldn’t be the smartest thing to do for either of us, and I knew that. Instead of answering her question the way I wanted—which was: I am in a very serious relationship—I just shrugged.

“If you need anything, call my cell phone,” I said as I walked off. “Good luck on your vacation.”