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Financially, we’re fine; it’s more the staying on top of my game.”

“Well, in case,” she drawled, “I have some money I can loan you, if you need it.”

I quirked my lips. “Is that so?”

“Uh-huh. I did a job for this asshole who paid me well. It’s just kicking around if you need it.”

I wound my arm around her waist, tucking her close. “Are you still working for this asshole?”

“No. The asshole disappeared.”

“Is that right? Did a prince on a white steed replace him?”

“No, a complex, demanding, but very sexy and sweet real man did.” “Sweet?” I snickered. That was a new one for me.

She nodded. “You are, at times, very sweet.”

“Maybe with you. I don’t think anyone else would ever call me sweet.” “I’m okay with that.”

I rubbed my nose to hers affectionately. “Good.”

Our eyes met, the warmth of her gaze distracting me. Heat bubbled around us, the way it did every time I was close to her now. Lowering my

head, I brushed my lips over hers. “Now, about that sexy part . . .”

The intercom buzzing startled us both. “Damn it.” I growled.

“Rain check,” she whispered against my lips.

I wrapped my hand around her neck, holding her close, kissing her hard. “Not a long one. I’ll deal with whatever they want, and then you’re mine.”

I hit the speaker button. “VanRyan.”

“You have visitors, Mr. VanRyan. Mr. and Mrs. Gavin are here to see you.”

I met Katy’s shocked gaze, reaching for her hand. “Send them up.”

I paused prior to opening the door, still holding tight to Katy’s hand. “No matter what, we’re okay, all right?” I said quietly.

“Yes.”

Steeling myself, I swung open the door and was met with Graham’s serious countenance. Laura was beside him, her expression somber, as well. The real kicker was the box Graham held. The last time I’d seen it, I had been packing up my desk.

Even though I wasn’t shocked, and I had suspected this would happen, the rush of disappointment in my chest was crushing. I inhaled sharply, tightening my grip on Katy’s hand. Beside me, she uttered a muffled gasp, her eyes on the box Graham held. I leaned down, pressing a kiss to her head.

“We’re okay,” I reassured her. “Remember?” “Okay,” she repeated.

I stepped back, not wanting this to happen in the hallway outside our home. “Come in,” I managed.

Graham set down the box on the floor beside the sofa. I was grateful when Katy spoke up, giving me a few extra seconds to gather myself.

“Can I get you coffee?”

Laura smiled and sat down. “I would appreciate a cup.” Graham nodded. “As would I.”

I followed her to the kitchen and watched numbly as she set out cups and napkins on a tray, pouring the coffee. “Should I add cookies?” she whispered.

I shrugged. “I, uh, have no idea what the protocol is when your boss comes to fire you, Katy. Cookies seem too nice for the occasion, though.”

She worried at her cheek, and I tapped the side of her face.

“Joke. That was a joke, albeit a bad one. Put out some cookies, sweetheart. We might as well be civilized about this. It’s not as though we weren’t expecting it.”

“Are you going to yell?”

I shook my head. “No. To be honest, I’m too sad to yell.”

She flung her arms around my neck, tugging my head down to her shoulder. “Thank you for telling me. I love you.”

I lifted her, the warmth of her body needed to calm my racing heart. Her feet dangled high above the floor, and I held her close. “That makes this all bearable.” Setting her down on her feet, I picked up the tray. “Let’s go get fired.”

I passed out the mugs of coffee with hands that were not as steady as usual. Laura directed a few comments to Katy, inquiring how she was coping in regards to losing Penny. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder when Katy’s voice quivered talking about scattering Penny’s ashes.

Graham watched us closely, setting down his mug.

“I assume the two of you have reached an understanding?”

“There is no understanding, Graham. I’m in love with Katy, and thankfully, she feels the same about me. We’re going forward on equal ground.”

“So this is no longer a marriage-for-show?”

I resisted the urge to tug on the back of my neck. “It ceased being that a long time ago. I was just too obstinate to see or admit it.”

He turned his gaze to Katy. “And you?”

She lifted her chin, the stubborn cleft prominent. “I love him. I have for a while. I was too afraid to tell him, in case he didn’t return my feelings.” She threaded her fingers through mine. “But he does, and we’re ready to face the future together.”

“Good.” Graham bent down and picked up the box, setting it on the coffee table. From his pocket, he withdrew my contract, tearing it in half, and placing it on top of the box.

“Well, then,” I muttered. “That hurt more than I thought it would.” I held up my hand as Graham started to speak. “Let me finish. It hurts, but I understand. I came into your business on false pretenses, so I recognize you have to let me go. I want you to know how much I enjoyed working for you. With you. You showed me how a person should run their company.” I swallowed the thickness in my throat. “You and your family came to mean a great deal to both of us. I hope one day you can forgive us.”

“Why did you want to work for me?”

I decided to be honest. “At first it was revenge—to get back at David. He disliked you so much, I knew that if I had the chance to work for you, he might very well offer me a partnership to stay. All I wanted was the offer. Then . . .”

“Then?” Graham prompted.

“Then I met you, spoke with you, and it changed. You listened to me, encouraged my ideas. I hadn’t felt that level of excitement or positive

reinforcement in years. The revenge became a back seat to wanting to be part of the whole atmosphere you had in the office. I wanted the chance to work with you.” I paused in embarrassment, lowering my voice. “I wanted to make you proud.”

For a moment, the room was silent. Graham spoke up. “I see.”

I cleared my throat. “Again, I apologize. Katy and I wish you well, both personally and professionally.”

Graham’s fingers tapped out an irregular beat on the top of the box. “David hates me because of the way I chose to live my life. We went to school together, did you know that?”

I shook my head.

“We were friends, once. We even discussed going into business together. As usual with David, it was all or nothing. He expected dedication to the point that you couldn’t possibly maintain a life both inside and outside a business. I met Laura, and I knew I wanted more than just work. When I told him I wasn’t interested, well, we exchanged some heated words. We parted ways; he opened his business and I opened mine. We’re both successful, except his was achieved in an entirely different manner. It’s all tied up in money and business. I’ve lost count of the number of staff he has had through the years. The questionable campaigns associated with his company. The number of women connected to his name. I think he’s been married and divorced four times.”

“Five,” I corrected.

He grinned a little, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “I guess I missed one along the way. The point is, to him nothing is more important than money. He hates me because I chose to have a life outside of work, and I still became a success. He knows, as well as anyone who knows me does, to me the most successful thing I have, the thing I hold the dearest, is my family. I would give it all up as long as I had them—without even blinking an eye.”

Graham met my gaze steadily. “He has no solid reason in his life to give it up for. That’s why he hates me.”

“I was fast becoming like him until Katy entered my life.”

He nodded. “I’m glad it changed.” He rapped the top of the box with his knuckles. “Which is why I had to end your contract, Richard. It was signed under false pretenses.”

“I appreciate your honesty and bringing my things, Graham.” “I’m not done yet.”

“Oh?” I asked, confused.

He sat back, an almost amused expression crossing his face. “I find myself down a very talented staff member. I’ve seen your work, Mr. VanRyan, and thought, perhaps, you may fit in with my company.”

I frowned, certain I had heard him incorrectly. “I’m sorry?”

“I think you are, now, exactly the sort of person I would like on my team.”

“I don’t . . . I don’t understand.”

“I am offering you a job, Richard. With a clean slate.” He reached in his pocket, bringing out a new contract. “We’ll start fresh.”

I swallowed, hardly believing this was happening. “Why?” I managed through tight lips.

“Because, like Katy, I believe in second chances.” He took Laura’s hand. “We both do.”

Laura nodded at me, tears in her eyes. “You could have kept silent about your relationship with Katy, Richard. You could have continued to deceive us. We may have suspected, but we would never have known if you hadn’t been honest. We both saw how deeply you cared for Penny. We know how kind you were to Jenna. That is the Richard we want in our company. The one who wants to grow with it—be part of it.” She smiled. “Be part of our family. Because that is the way we think of the two of you.”

Katy made an odd noise in the back of her throat. Angling, I saw the tears sliding down her face and the way her body shook, trying to keep her reaction in check. I slid closer, drawing her head to my shoulder. “Shh, sweetheart, it’s okay.”

I turned back to Graham. “You believe me? After everything, all the lies, you believe me?” I asked, dumbfounded.

“We do, because of that.” Graham indicated the way I was holding Katy. “You can’t fake that, Richard. We can feel the love you have for your wife.”

“Give him a pen!” Katy burst out. “He’ll sign! We want to stay—we both want to stay!”

Graham and Laura both grinned at her words and I had to bite my lip to stop my laughter. She would make a lousy poker player, but she was right. We did want to stay.

Keeping my arm around her, I extended my hand. “I would be honored to work for you, Graham. I won’t let you down again. I promise, I will make you proud.”

He took my hand, shaking it firmly. “You already have.”

I had to look away to make sure Katy was okay. It had nothing to do with the way my vision blurred or the sting of tears behind my eyes.

Nothing at all.