Chapter 24 #2
A glimmer of understanding sparked in his eyes before he smiled.
“Well, their loss could be our gain. I don’t know what you’ve moved on to, but if you’re interested, we’d love for you to join us at W&S.
Clearly, you’re brilliant and resourceful.
None of these deals we’ve spoken about tonight were easy ones to close, but you did it. We’d love to have you on our team.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw CC nearly drop her fork, but she still didn’t speak. I blinked rapidly, certain I’d either misheard or misunderstood. “You’re offering me a job?”
“I’m begging you to take it,” he said without hesitation, like this was the most natural thing in the world.
“Start as soon as you’re able to. I’m always on the lookout for sharp minds, and as Harrison just said, he obviously has a real good eye for talent.
If I’d known you were available, I would’ve extended this offer before you’d even walked out of Richard’s building. ”
He winked at Harrison, pride rolling off him in waves. Harrison seemed surprised but pleased. Relieved, even. I doubted he’d spoken to his family about it before he’d asked me earlier if I would consider moving to W&S.
I glanced at Sterling next, but he nodded his agreement and offered me a polite smile. “Yeah, sure. The best of the best are at W&S. I’m sure you know that. If everything I’ve heard about you the last few years is true, you belong there.”
My chest tightened and I glanced down at my plate, but I was suddenly unable to eat another bite.
The table blurred a little with the weight of so many eyes on me.
Sterling’s surprised scrutiny, Jameson’s calculating gaze, Callum’s curious grin, the women’s polite interest. Through it all, CC sat with her spine rigid, completely silent, her stare burning into me like she knew every secret even I didn’t know I was hiding.
I forced a small smile when I looked up again. “Thank you. I’ll certainly think about it.”
Harlan leaned back, clearly satisfied, but I could feel my pulse racing in my throat.
This was more than I ever could’ve imagined, not only being welcomed in by most of the family, but being offered a job as well.
I needed to breathe, but it felt like it was impossible to fill my lungs with CC staring at me as relentlessly as she was.
Laney rose suddenly then, her chair scraping softly against the polished floor. As I looked up, I noticed how pale she’d gotten, her hand braced against the curve of her stomach. She muttered an apology, excusing herself, and padded quietly toward the hall.
The room stilled for a beat, but then brothers carried on as if nothing had happened. I caught the quick exchange of glances between the women, though. Sadie’s lips pressed into a thin line and Maisie’s brow furrowed, her gaze following Laney out of the room.
When Sadie pushed back her chair next, her movement wasn’t nearly as quiet. “Sterling, come on. Let’s go.”
He blinked at her, confused, but she was already tugging at his sleeve. “I said, let’s go.”
He frowned but rose anyway, clearly too well trained or too in love to argue. Maisie stood as well, offering a tight smile and murmuring to her son before slipping after them. “Brody, stay put, okay? Mommy’s just going to check on Aunt Laney.”
The little boy glanced at Callum but nodded. For his part, Callum frowned hard, then shrugged at Brody and mouthed, “No idea.”
As Maisie disappeared, I suddenly felt that same tug in my chest, an almost magnetic pull, as though I should follow, too. Real things were happening out there. I didn’t know what yet, but something about the way they’d all left made me desperate to help if I could.
I stood quietly, figuring this would give CC a minute with her family anyway, and stole out into the softly lit hallway. I hovered near the door just in time to hear Laney’s voice, gruff and strained.
“Go back to dinner,” she ordered, her hand on the small of her back. “All of you. I’m fine. Just uncomfortable.”
“I’m not leaving.” Sterling’s voice rumbled in low protest. “Not while you’re out here.”
Sadie’s voice overlapped his. “None of us are. This doesn’t just look like Braxton-Hicks, Lane. I think—”
Laney waved them all off. “Oh, stop. It’s probably just some gas. Leave me alone. I’ll be fine.”
I hung back, unsure whether to insert myself or return to my seat but feeling that invisible tether pulling tighter with every word. Sterling hovered at Laney’s side even though she kept brushing him off, saying she was fine.
Laney’s gaze flicked up to mine. For a second, I thought she was going to snap at me, tell me to stop lurking, and to go, but instead, her lips curved into a soft, understanding grin.
“It gets better,” she said, as though she’d read my mind. “You’ll find your place with us, and after that, the noise won’t feel like so much.”
Something loosened in my chest. The words felt like an olive branch, like she’d extended the invisible circle of this family and made space for me inside it. I found myself smiling back, tentative but real.
“Thank you,” I said quietly. “Are you sure you’re okay? I know I probably shouldn’t say this since I just met you, but you really don’t look so good. You’re so pale, you’ve become almost transparent.”
She let out a sharp laugh, then winced. “Yeah, I felt that happening. I really do think I’m fine. I probably just need to lie down.”
“Let’s just say goodbye, then we’ll go home.” Sterling was still trying to coax her back toward the dining room when she froze, her breath catching and eyes widening.
A moment later, I heard the unmistakable sound of water spilling onto the polished floor.
“Oh my God,” Sterling muttered, his hand darting to her elbow and his own face now draining of color. “Laney, I think your water just broke.”
Laney closed her eyes, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like a curse, and I realized with a jolt that Harlan’s celebration dinner was officially over. This evening was about to turn into something else entirely.