The Contract (The Contract 1)

“Can I get you coffee?”

Laura smiled and sat down. “I would appreciate a cup.”

Graham nodded. “As would I.”

I followed her to the kitchen and watched numbly as she set out cups and napkins on a tray, pouring the coffee. “Should I add cookies?” she whispered.

I shrugged. “I, uh, have no idea what the protocol is when your boss comes to fire you, Katy. Cookies seem too nice for the occasion, though.”

She worried at her cheek, and I tapped the side of her face.

“Joke. That was a joke, albeit a bad one. Put out some cookies, sweetheart. We might as well be civilized about this. It’s not as though we weren’t expecting it.”

“Are you going to yell?”

I shook my head. “No. To be honest, I’m too sad to yell.”

She flung her arms around my neck, tugging my head down to her shoulder. “Thank you for telling me. I love you.”

I lifted her, the warmth of her body needed to calm my racing heart. Her feet dangled high above the floor, and I held her close. “That makes this all bearable.” Setting her down on her feet, I picked up the tray. “Let’s go get fired.”I passed out the mugs of coffee with hands that were not as steady as usual. Laura directed a few comments to Katy, inquiring how she was coping in regards to losing Penny. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder when Katy’s voice quivered talking about scattering Penny’s ashes.

Graham watched us closely, setting down his mug.

“I assume the two of you have reached an understanding?”

“There is no understanding, Graham. I’m in love with Katy, and thankfully, she feels the same about me. We’re going forward on equal ground.”

“So this is no longer a marriage-for-show?”

I resisted the urge to tug on the back of my neck. “It ceased being that a long time ago. I was just too obstinate to see or admit it.”

He turned his gaze to Katy. “And you?”

She lifted her chin, the stubborn cleft prominent. “I love him. I have for a while. I was too afraid to tell him, in case he didn’t return my feelings.” She threaded her fingers through mine. “But he does, and we’re ready to face the future together.”

“Good.” Graham bent down and picked up the box, setting it on the coffee table. From his pocket, he withdrew my contract, tearing it in half, and placing it on top of the box.

“Well, then,” I muttered. “That hurt more than I thought it would.” I held up my hand as Graham started to speak. “Let me finish. It hurts, but I understand. I came into your business on false pretenses, so I recognize you have to let me go. I want you to know how much I enjoyed working for you. With you. You showed me how a person should run their company.” I swallowed the thickness in my throat. “You and your family came to mean a great deal to both of us. I hope one day you can forgive us.”

“Why did you want to work for me?”

I decided to be honest. “At first it was revenge—to get back at David. He disliked you so much, I knew that if I had the chance to work for you, he might very well offer me a partnership to stay. All I wanted was the offer. Then . . .”

“Then?” Graham prompted.

“Then I met you, spoke with you, and it changed. You listened to me, encouraged my ideas. I hadn’t felt that level of excitement or positive reinforcement in years. The revenge became a back seat to wanting to be part of the whole atmosphere you had in the office. I wanted the chance to work with you.” I paused in embarrassment, lowering my voice. “I wanted to make you proud.”

For a moment, the room was silent. Graham spoke up. “I see.”

I cleared my throat. “Again, I apologize. Katy and I wish you well, both personally and professionally.”

Graham’s fingers tapped out an irregular beat on the top of the box. “David hates me because of the way I chose to live my life. We went to school together, did you know that?”

I shook my head.

“We were friends, once. We even discussed going into business together. As usual with David, it was all or nothing. He expected dedication to the point that you couldn’t possibly maintain a life both inside and outside a business. I met Laura, and I knew I wanted more than just work. When I told him I wasn’t interested, well, we exchanged some heated words. We parted ways; he opened his business and I opened mine. We’re both successful, except his was achieved in an entirely different manner. It’s all tied up in money and business. I’ve lost count of the number of staff he has had through the years. The questionable campaigns associated with his company. The number of women connected to his name. I think he’s been married and divorced four times.”