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“I don’t have an answer to that question.”
She scoffs softly, then twirls some spaghetti. “How was Vegas?”
“Boring,” I reply. “All the strip clubs were closed.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I. I went to every single one, just to make sure.”
She shakes her head, then takes a big bite of pasta.
“It was fine,” I tell her. “I’d been before. My aunt and uncle actually got married in Vegas. The first time at least, and then they had a more traditional ceremony.”
“Olivergot married in Vegas?”
I chuckle. “Surprising, right? And look at what a great CEO he’s turned out to be. There’s hope for me yet.”
“I never said I thought you’d be a bad CEO.”
“Plenty of other people have. And are hoping Bash will end up being the one who’s next in line.”
“I’m not.”
I glance at her. “I’m sure he’d let you keep your job, Monty. Probably pay you more too.”
Collins rolls her eyes. “That’s not what I meant. Although this is probably a good time to tell you that I applied to a paralegal position yesterday.”
I stiffen. “I thought we’d discussed?—”
“We did discuss this. And we need to discuss it again. The clock’s ticking. I have a better shot at getting hired before I start showing. I checked, and I’m not legally required to disclose a pregnancy to a potential employer.”
“You’re not legally required to leave either. We did nothing wrong. You can stay, and then I’ll be there if?—”
“I don’t want to stay, Kit. Do I like working with—for—you? Yeah. Do I like that you’re my boss? Not really. The … other stuff was questionable enough. But at least that happened before I started at the company. Before either of us even knew I’d be starting. Us working together during my entire pregnancy, with all the whispering? I mean, you should have heard what—” She abruptly stops talking.
I lift an eyebrow. “I should have heard …”
She stabs a meatball with her fork. “They were talking about you at drinks earlier. Asking me questions … and stuff.”
“Questions about what?”
“It doesn’t matter,” she says, which only increases my curiosity. “The point is, people pay attention to you, and youknowthat they’re going to talk about your unmarried assistant getting knocked up. I don’t want to deal with that gossip, even if you’re willing to.”
Realistically, I know she’s right. And the attention isn’t something I necessarilywantto deal with. But I’ve gotten used to having her as my assistant, to seeing her every day, and I’m panicked at the thought of losing that.
“Why are you applying to paralegal jobs? You should be looking for positions playing?—”
Collins is already shaking her head. “I can’t afford to focus on music. I was barely breaking even in Chicago, and my rent here is more. Not to mention the baby and all those expenses.”
I rub the back of my neck, trying to temper my frustration. “How many times are you going to make me say this, Monty? I. Am. A. Billionaire. The fact that you’re stressed about money is …” I search for a word that won’t offend her. “You don’t need to be stressed about money.”
Collins exhales. “I know how much money you have, Kit. And I’ll give a little on stuff for the baby, I promise. You can pay for an expensive day care and the fancy private school and designer whatever—anything that’s truly important to you. But it’s important tomethat I be financially independent. That I be able to support myself. I need you to respect that.”
I nod. “I will.”
“Thank you. And for offering.”
I nod again. “Pearson’s the best law firm in the city. Nick Pearson is my godfather. I could give him a call. Mention you’re looking and see if he knows of any openings.”