Page 77

“That’d be wrongful termination.”

“That’s what I said.”

“Although, I wouldn’t put it past Celine to fabricate something to create a legitimate reason to fire her. She’s vindictive as all hell.”

And that right there is what had scared Verity so much.

She said she’d worked at Delute Designs for three years. Celine has a small company and runs a tight ship. Verity would have a pretty solid grasp at this point on what makes Celine tick.

“Which is precisely the issue.”

Chloe lets out a deep sigh, giving the donuts she brought a mournful look. “So, what? That’s it. Celine wins again?”

“Celine hasn’t won. I’m not letting Verity go.”

“You’re not?”

“No.”

“Good, because I like her.” Chloe smiles, clasping her hands together. “I had this feeling she could be the one.”

“You met her for five seconds.”

“And I’m a very good judge of character. It’s like my sixth sense, you know this. I can tell if the energy is off the moment I meet a person. There was nothing negative coming from her.”

“You’re right, you’re right.”

“So, what’s the game plan. How are you going to woo her?”

“I don’t really have a plan.”

“Cullen, you need a plan. You can’t just wing something this important.”

“I wasn’t going to wing it.” I give her a saccharine smile. “I was going to have you help me, darling sister.”

“Oh really, were you?” Her brow raises. “And when did you decide that?”

“The second you walked in.” I reach my arm across the desk and hold my hand out to Chloe. “What do you say? Want to help me win back my girlfriend?”

She slips her hand into mine.

“You bet.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

VERITY

Iwake up to yet another text from Cullen.

Every morning for the last seven days, this man has sent me a text.

Every night for the last seven nights, he has sent me a bouquet of flowers. Each one contains around a hundred flowers, either lilies or roses, and all come with a note that I never read.

I’ve started to foist the bouquets off onto my neighbors because at least someone should get to enjoy them.

My phone vibrates again with another text notification.

I haven’t opened them because I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of a read receipt. I could cheat—do that little trick where you hold down and read the message without actually opening it—but I’m worried that if I read his words, I’ll cave.