Counting the Kisses (Counting the Billions 3)

“Fair enough,” Erin said, winking at me. “So the schedule for today, then. You’ve got these two conference calls and then that marketing meeting. Then you’ll have time for a quick lunch before that sales pitch from some of the company’s clients, the ones you were supposed to meet with Daniel.”

I nodded. There were a lot of decisions I would need to make today. I didn’t even know what the conference calls would be about, although Erin promised me that there were files relating to each one, and I had a little time to brush up on the background information before I sat in on them. And marketing? I didn’t know the first thing about marketing, so I really hoped that Daniel didn’t expect me to make any decisions on that one.

I was really starting to feel like I was in over my head. I only hoped that Erin couldn’t see my panic. Or rather, that no one except Erin would see my panic.

“Have you thought about what you’re going to say when they ask you where Daniel is?” Erin asked suddenly. “Because you know, some of them are probably going to want to know.”

I blinked at her. How had I not thought about that? I should have asked Daniel what he wanted me to say. I glanced around at all the stacks of papers. “He thought of all of this, but he didn’t think of that?” I asked, but the joke fell flat. I sighed. “I suppose I can’t tell them that he’s sick, because I don’t want to lie to them, and they’re sure to find out about the trial at some point once the media gets involved.”

“Exactly,” Erin said, nodding at me. “I’d suggest something like, ‘He had other personal matters to attend to’, just something vague but truthful. And tell them that if they’d like more information, they’re going to have to talk to Daniel directly.”

I nodded. That made sense. I tried to get those words stuck in my head so they’d be ready the first time I had to answer the question.

Erin smiled sympathetically at me. “Hang in there,” she said. “And you know where to find me.”

With that, she headed out of the office, leaving me in there all alone. I couldn’t help feeling, as I sat in Daniel’s chair behind his broad desk, that I was an imposter, like a little kid pretending to go to work as his parents.

But I was trained for this, I reminded myself. And Daniel thought that I could do it. His faith in me gave me confidence—it made me stronger.

I took another deep breath and picked up the brief on that morning’s conference call. I could do this. In any case, it was too late to change my mind now. In for a penny in for a pound, as my dad used to say.

Chapter 7

Daniel

I WALKED OUT OF THE courtroom after the first day feeling grim. My lawyer clapped me on the shoulder, saying something about how things were going to go better tomorrow, but I barely heard him. I rolled my shoulders to attempt to release the tension and prepared to walk outside, knowing for sure that there would be members of the press waiting to pester me with questions as I worked my way to the car. Another day.

I glanced down at my phone and was surprised to see I had a message from Abby. She had sent it after lunch, so I hadn’t had a chance to see it. I felt a moment of panic, hoping that nothing had gone horribly wrong on her first day at work. But I smiled faintly when I saw the message, which had been sent not too long ago: Hurry home, dinner’s almost ready!?

After a day like this, there was nothing I wanted more than to go home to Abby and a good, home-cooked meal.

For a moment, I wondered whether she meant my place or hers. After all, the “home” part was pretty vague. But then again, she had been spending most nights at my place lately. It was a pretty safe bet that she meant my place. She had a key, after all. And either way, I wanted to get out of my suit and into something more comfortable. Might as well head home, see if she was there, and if not, then head over to her place.

When I got to my place, though, the heavenly aroma of warm food wafted through the house from the moment I stepped in the front door. I almost groaned with relief as I kicked off my shoes and padded into the kitchen, shedding my suit jacket over the back of a chair and making a beeline for Abby, who was over by the stove.

“Hey,” I said, wrapping my arms around her and burying my face against the side of her neck.

“Hey, yourself,” she said, a smile in her voice as she leaned back against me for a moment.

“It smells amazing,” I said.

“Chicken pot pies,” Abby told me. “Leanne gave me the recipe. Apparently they’re one of Matt’s new favorite fall foods, and it sounded like just the perfect thing for the weather.”

“Definitely sounds good,” I sighed. I pulled away from her with regret.

“How was your first day?” she asked, turning to face me.

I shook my head. “It didn’t go very well,” I admitted. “There were plenty of witnesses from that night at the bar, and their recollection of the evening definitely favors Gerrard.” I paused and shook my head. “I’m actually surprised they were able to round up so many of them.”

“Yikes,” Abby said, looking worried. She paused. “I know you said your lawyer has a strong case, but are you sure that you don’t need me to testify on your behalf? I’m the reason that you got in the fight in the first place. And I was the only one who was really listening, probably, before the fight broke out. Maybe I could paint a more accurate picture for the judge and jury.”

She sounded so earnest, and I could tell that she really wanted to help. But I couldn’t ask her to do that. I knew what her feelings were on that night, and I knew that, like she had said, I deserved to face the consequences for my actions. Besides, I knew she didn’t approve of that fight. I didn’t want her to have to relive it.

And the media. They would be all over it. I had promised that I would do whatever was in my power to keep her safe from those wolves. Throwing her right into the midst of this trial would be the opposite of that.

I leaned in to kiss her gently but shook my head as I pulled away. “Don’t worry about it,” I told her. “I’m sure the lawyer has everything in hand, and I don’t want to drag you into all of it. But I do appreciate the offer.”

Abby looked like she wanted to protest, but eventually, she nodded, albeit unhappily. I was spared having to respond to that look by the oven timer going off. Abby turned to pull the pot pies out of the oven.