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Chapter Three

“You wanted to see me, Carter?”

“Kat, have a seat,” my boss, Carter Nelson, gestures. “Your work here over the last three years has been impeccable.”

“Thank you.” I smile, folding my hands in my lap.

“Unfortunately, we must make some cuts in our property law division.”

“Cuts?” My brows furrow.

He must have sensed the panic on my face.

“Don’t worry. You’re too valuable to let go. Effective tomorrow, you’ll be moved to family law, mainly handling divorce cases. How does that sound?” He leans back in his chair.

“Well…I…fine, I guess. Is that why you asked me a couple of months ago if I kept up with the latest family laws?”

“Yes.” He points at me. “Smart woman. Anyway, I think you’d excel in family law.” He glances at his watch. “I know you must be out of here by four-thirty, so I want you to finish what you’re working on and then pack your office. You’ re moving up to the tenth floor—a corner office with an excellent city view.”

“Wow, Carter. I don’t know what to say?”

“Thank you will do.” He smiles.

“Thank you.” I stand, smoothing out my skirt.

“Happy Anniversary, Kat. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Carter.”

After finishing my case, I started packing my office with the boxes maintenance brought. When I was finished packing, I called Stuart, the head of maintenance, and told him to move my things to the tenth floor.

Just as I arrive home, my phone pings in my purse. When I pull it out, I find a text message from Oliver.

Stuck in a terrible meeting trying to avert a crisis. Unfortunately, I’m not going to make it home in time. I’ll meet you at Daniel at six o’clock.

Disappointment washes over me. I love it when we drive together for dinner. But my disappointment quickly evaporates because nothing can ruin this day.

That’s fine. I’ll see you at the restaurant. I love you.

I love you too, darling.

I touch up my makeup to give my blue eyes a smoky evening look and dust my cheeks with a little more blush in Petal Pink. After dabbing my lips with Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk lipstick, I brush through my long brown hair, spritzing the ends with texture spray to help maintain the subtle waves .

I go to the closet and pull out the new dress I picked up at Bloomingdales a month ago—black, square neckline, long sleeves with contrast bell detail, fitted and sophisticated, stopping an inch above my knees. I slip my feet into my three-inch heel, tall, black boots that make me three inches taller than my existing five-foot-six stature.

I enter Daniel, and Karla, the hostess, smiles enthusiastically.

“Good evening, Mrs. Tate.”

“Good evening, Karla. Is my husband here yet?”

“Not yet, but we do have your table ready. Follow me.”

She sits me at a private table in the corner and sets two menus down.

“Your server will be with you shortly. Enjoy your dinner.”

“Thank you.” I pleasantly smile.

I glance at my watch. It’s six-fifteen. Where the hell is Oliver?

“Darling, I’m so sorry,” he speaks breathlessly, leaning in and kissing my cheek.

My brows furrow at the smell of perfume radiating off him.

“Do I need to be concerned that you’re fifteen minutes late and smell like you’ve been with a woman?” My brow arches.

He removes his suit coat and hangs it on the back of his chair.

“Don’t be silly. You know me better than that. You’re the only woman my eyes see.” A smile crosses his lips as he sits down. “But, to ease your fears, I better give you this now.” He pulls out a small gift hiding in the bag he brought with him.

I smile as I remove the dark blue ribbon, hugging the matching paper. It is a bottle of Joe Malone English Pear and Freesia perfume.

“I’ve always wanted a bottle of Joe Malone perfume.” I smile.

“I know. And now you know why I smell the way I do. I stopped at Bloomingdales on my lunch, and the sales associate kept spraying different scents until I decided on that one.” He points to the perfume.

“Thank you, Oliver. I love it.”

“You’re welcome, my love. You look incredible. I’m sorry I had to meet you here instead of us driving together.”

“It’s okay. I understand.”

Oliver works on Wall Street as a financial analyst, making more money than he knows what to do with. Between his job and mine as an attorney, we’re very well off, and money is never an issue.

Michael, our server, walks over and sets two glasses of champagne before us.

“Happy Anniversary, you two.” He smiles.

“Thank you, Michael. We’re ready to order,” Oliver says.

After Michael took our order, Oliver picked up his glass and held it up.

“To us, forever and always. Happy Anniversary, Darling.”

I pick up my glass and notice something red sitting at the bottom. My eyes dart up to Oliver, sitting there with a handsome smile plastered across his face.

“What did you do?” I ask, grinning.

“I only do the things I do because I’m so in love with you,” he says.

I reach into the glass and pull out a 14k white gold cushion- cut Garnet ring with a halo of diamonds around the center stone and beveled diamonds along each side.

“Oh, Oliver. It’s stunning.” I slip it on my right ring finger and hold out my hand.

“Garnet is the gemstone for a two-year anniversary. The moment I saw it. I knew it would look gorgeous on you.” He smiles brightly.

After thanking him with a kiss, our food was brought over and set down.

“Thank you, Michael.” Oliver smiles.

“Yes, thank you.” I smile. “I got some news at the firm today,” I tell my husband.

“They’re making you partner?” He grins.

“No.” I laugh, shaking my head. “They have to make some cuts in the property division, so Carter moved me to family law on the tenth floor.”

“And that’s a good thing?”

“Yes, because I have a corner office with a city view and my own secretary. No more sharing secretaries with the other associates.”

“That’s excellent news, darling. It looks like we’re celebrating more than just our anniversary tonight.”