Page 57 of Nash Falls

“Fair and equitable. Rock of Gibraltar. And boring as shit.”

She smiled weakly. “Let’s not talk about him anymore. I really do care for Walter. A lot. He’s a good husband and father. He works really hard. He’s just… I don’t know. Too damn predictable.” She let out a sigh.

“Well, to answer your question about why I’m concerned about Walt, I found out that yourpredictablehubby phoned a competitor and asked about taking an executive position there.”

Judith sat upright so fast the sheet slipped off her. “He never told me about that.”

“Which is why I’m worried.”

She took Rhett’s scotch from him and took a sip before handing it back and covering herself with the sheet.

“He’s always seemed perfectly happy working for you.”

“He really works for my father, not me. Walt is a superstar in my old man’s eyes. I’m just the nepo hire.”

“Well, heisgreat at what he does.”

“And yet here you are.”

She gave him a sharp glance. “I didn’t say he was great ateverything.”

“You married the Eagle Scout, but you really like the badass boys like yours truly.”

She giggled. “Did you know? Hewasan Eagle Scout.”

They both laughed hard, holding on to each other and shaking with mingled amusement.

“So, no clue what’s going on in the man’s head?” said Rhett whenthey’d both calmed and lay back against the pillows. He fingered the groove along her collarbone while he admired the soft, ample breasts just below.

“No. He and Maggiedidhave a falling-out. She really wants to build her influencer career and he told her that her proposal was bullshit, which, knowing Maggie, it probably was. She’s smart and quick on her feet, but attention to detail and work discipline are not in her wheelhouse. She definitely did not take after her father in that department.”

“Few people know business better or work harder than your hubby. He is scorched-earth when it comes to that. Never misses anything.”

“But he talked to her again and she’s all right now. But I don’t see how that would make him want to change jobs.”

“Me either.” He finished his scotch.

“How did you find out about the other firm?”

“We have spies everywhere.” Something in his response seemed to pulse in Rhett’s eyes.

Judith, who was looking at him, apparently noticed. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just thinking of stuff. Luckily Walt is Superman again, coming to save the day with a real earnings blowout for his division. Let me survive another year in my dad’s eyes.”

“Then make sure he gets a great bonus. I want to go to Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Malaysia in the fall and shop to my heart’s content.”

“With or without Walt?”

“He has no interest. I’ll probably go solo.” She gave him a significant look and hiked her lovely eyebrows enticingly. “Maybe you and I could hook up there. I won’t have to sneak up the service elevator. We could actually go out in public as a couple.”

“I’m always up for sex and shopping with hot chicks in new lands.”

“You should be a greeting card writer for Hallmark,” she said sarcastically.

He slid the sheet off them. “I’d actually much rather be a lover.”

She looked down at him there. “Well, Rhett, you clearly don’t need my help.”