Stir Me (Rouse Me 2)

I smirk. "I have my methods and you have yours."

"It's not professional."

"So dissolve the firm. You can be as professional as you want."

He moves towards a filing cabinet and pulls out some legal document. "Sell me your half." He hands me the document.

It's a contract to sell the firm. Everyone is trying to buy half of what's mine today.

"You know I won't sell," I say. "There's a non-compete clause in our partnership agreement."

"I won't enforce it."

"No."

He narrows his eyes. "I'm not going to dissolve. The only way out of this impasse is you selling your half of the firm."

"No."

He offers me a look of pity. "I can manage my feelings, but it's clear that you're not able to stay professional while working with me."

I grit my teeth. "Is that so?"

"Yes," he says. "We've had our disagreements, but I do respect... your way with clients. I'm not holding on to what happened with Alyssa."

"Dissolve. You won't appease any of my clients if I sell."

He scoffs, rolling his eyes. "You're not as hard to replace as you think you are. There are plenty of attractive men in Los Angeles. Plenty who are more dependable."

I bite my tongue. He's trying to get a rise out of me. I won't give it to him.

His brow furrows. "I'd rather not stay in a business partnership with someone who takes off for weeks without notice."

"That won't happen again."

"Really?"

"Yes. Really."

He smirks. "Did Samantha finally get rid of you once and for all?"

I throw him a fake smile. "You could put it like that."

"Good for you."

I slam the paper onto his desk. "I'm not selling."

He shakes his head. "This is the best option for both of us."

"Even so."

He offers me another pitying look. His words come out like a lecture. "I've been patient. I've tried to give you a chance to turn things around. But it's not happening. Now, is there any way you can be convinced?"

"No."

He taps his fingers against the desk. "You can leave Los Angeles. Start a practice in San Francisco. The non-compete is only for L.A. County."

"I have reasons to stay here."