Page 76 of Perfect Assumption

After her characteristic exuberance settles down, she whispers, “I’m so proud of you.”

“I haven’t done it yet,” I remind her.

“You will. You’re not the kind of person who makes this decision lightly.”

“No, I’m not.” In fact, the last time I shared this information willingly was with Carys when I applied for the job at Wildcard.

“How do you think he’ll react?”

“I have no idea.” There’s any number of reactions Ward could have. That’s what worries me. Then another thought pops into my mind. “I don’t know where to have this conversation.”

“Hmm, good question. Somewhere you feel safe, somewhere you won’t be interrupted. And somewhere you can get help in a heartbeat” is her immediate reply.

“Right.” Only one place meets all of that criteria.

I guess I’ll have to see what Ward has planned for after hours at work tomorrow night.

Twenty-Nine

Angela

Listen, people, it’s snow. Not the damn Apocalypse. You don’t need to buy all the chocolate. Save some for the rest of us.

@PRyanPOfficial

It feels so right, and yet my nerves are overwhelming me.

I’ve been waiting all day to do this, but the waiting is killing me.

I know the longer I hesitate, the bigger the chance the opportunity is going to vanish—that something could slip in its place. Right now, there’s a block of time on Ward’s calendar toward the end of our day where we’ll be the only ones in the office.

With shaking hands, I block it off, copy the conference room, and mark it as Private.

It’s time for me and Ward to finally talk.

It’s been less than a week since everyone came to my home, so much has changed between us. Even as I’m helping Carys put out legal fires, I’m constantly bumping up against Ward’s calmness and passion. It’s like I’ve been waiting my whole life for a man like this to come into my life. Now that we’ve spent more time together, the blinders have been swiped from my eyes, and I’m in awe over the man he is. And somehow he wants me.

But will he after he hears what I have to say?

Stomach churning, I reach for the remainder of my lunch to pitch it into the garbage when I recall our late lunch with Carys and David earlier in the week.

“I hate mornings,” Ward confessed.

“Which worked out beautifully because this way you can deal with most of our West Coast business.” Carys toasted her brother.

“Except for Z.” His dark eyes danced at her as he lifted his bottle of sparkling water at her.

Carys groaned. “Don’t remind me. Will you please go get a tattoo so he feels he can trust you?”

My soda came flying out of my mouth. “Is that why?” I demanded.

Both Burke siblings nodded before grinning identical smiles. I wondered which parent they inherited them from. But Ward’s words pulled me from my thoughts. “Maybe I’m not getting a tattoo just so youhaveto deal with him.”

“Cruel. Just plain cruel.”

“No, cruel is attempting to sew me a cummerbund to match my prom date’s dress,” Ward argued.

“I thought that was sweet.” Carys pouted.