Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
They were loyal. Her hard work had paid off, and he was a good boss. She knew that. He wasn’t cruel. He terminated contracts with businesses that were caught up in scandal. Roman, in his own way, cared.
She had researched the company, knew it had nearly gone broke, and people feared they would lose their jobs. That had come before Christmastime, but between Roman and his grandfather, they were able to save it from the brink.
There was more to Roman than met the eye.
“So, what are you donating?” she asked.
“I’m not donating anything, but I am auctioning off a yacht.”
“A yacht?”
“It was my father’s, and I’m tired of having it in my possession. I never use it. The truth is, I don’t like being out at sea. Too many shark movies.”
Abigail laughed and pressed her face against his chest. “You’re too much.”
He kissed the top of her head.
“Abigail.”
She tensed up, because it had been a full year since she heard that voice.
Roman’s hand was at her hip, and she looked in front of her to see Brad standing right there. He didn’t look too good. His hair was overgrown, and he’d tried to tame it by slicking it back, but it just looked greasy.
“Brad,” she said.
“It is a surprise to see you here,” Brad said.
“This is my boss, Roman. Roman, this is Brad.” She gave the introductions, explaining his position and the law firm.
“Abigail, what a delight to see you.”
She was shocked to see Benjamin, one of the partners at the firm, suddenly join their group, grab her hand as if to shake it, but then pull her in for a hug. Benjamin had been one of the few men Brad worked with that she liked. He was a family man, through and through. He loved his kids, and when he was supposed to be wooing clients, he tended to get his wallet of pictures and show off his family to anyone that would look. She loved looking at his family.
“How’s Tracy?” she said.
“She’s doing well. Dawn has flown the nest and gone off to college.”
She let out a gasp. “College already? Wow. Time really does fly. Is she enjoying it?”
“Loving it. She is a natural, I tell you.”
She chuckled, then turned to Roman. “This is Benjamin, one of the partners, and his wife is Tracy, and he has four kids, and Dawn is the oldest and finally gone away to college. If I remember rightly, you were nervous because she was seeing a musician, and you didn’t want her to throw away her potential.”
Benjamin laughed. “That is right. I have certainly missed you, and I was gutted to hear it didn’t work out between you and our Bradley boy.” Benjamin grabbed Brad around the back of his neck. She knew he hated being called Bradley.
“I’m sure you didn’t expect her to continue a relationship with Bradley cheating on her.”
From the look on Bradley’s face, she knew he hadn’t been honest.
“Cheating?” Benjamin asked.
“I think this is our cue to leave,” Abigail said. “It has been lovely to see you again, Benjamin. Wish Tracy all the best, and tell Dawn to enjoy herself.” She grabbed Roman’s hand and tried to get lost in the crowd.
Much to her surprise, Roman was being difficult.
“What is your problem?” she asked.
“Do you miss him?” Roman asked.
She looked at him, a little taken aback. “You’re talking about Brad?”
“Yes, I’m not exactly talking about Benjamin. Trust me, I’ve been caught out, listening to him talk about his family. Longest hour of my life.”
Abigail grabbed his hand, pulled him out of the main room, and he didn’t fight her this time.
The music felt loud, and there were people milling in the hallway. One of the rooms was taken, and she was pretty sure what was going on inside there wasn’t legal, at least not in a public place.
She made her way down the hall and pulled him inside a quiet room. It had what looked like a conference table.
“What is the problem?” Abigail asked.
“That’s the first time you’ve seen Bradley, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, and?”
“Did it bring up any feelings? Are you wanting to call this off?”
She frowned and looked at him, and that was when it suddenly occurred to her what was happening here. “Are you jealous?”
“Don’t be absurd.”
“But you are. That’s why you’re acting this way. You think I want to get back with that cheating asshole?” she asked, pointing toward the door.
“You were with him for three years.”
“And they were the most miserable of my life.” She put her hands to her head. “I don’t even know how we were still together. He never wanted to celebrate my success. He only ever told me I was dumb and wouldn’t amount to anything, while he had the college education and was going to make partner one day, and that I needed to support him. He’d be the one to give us a better life, and I was a waste of space.”