Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73174 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73174 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
“Wow,” he finally whispered as it dawned on him that I really meant it. “Holy shit.”
“Yeah,” I said. “I didn’t plan on it. But he was already being unsupportive, and then he brought up my dad’s name, and I just—I couldn’t, Landry. I couldn’t.”
Tears were breaking off from my eyes again as I stood in the doorway. Landry got up and came to give me a hug, holding me.
“Well, then, you did the right thing,” he said. “And I would follow you to a brand-new company at the drop of a hat, Emmett.”
I laughed and sobbed all at once, pulling back. “Thank you, Lucky. I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I know I have to.”
“I knew you could do it, by the way,” he said. “I always knew that you’d be a great business owner if you went off on your own. I just never thought you’d be willing to leave Lux Marketing.”
“This place isn’t what he built, anymore,” I said. “But we can create something that’s close. I sure fucking hope we can. It’ll be small at first, and it’ll be a while before we can get a large base of clients, but it’ll be worth it, Landry, I really think it will—”
“It will,” he confirmed.
I swayed on my feet, reaching back and leaning against the wall of his office. “Jesus, this has been a wild 24 hours.”
“You’re telling me,” Landry said. “I think you need a vacation.”
“Right,” I said. “Hey, maybe I’ll quit my job.”
We laughed softly, but the enormity of what I’d just done was still sitting on me like the weight of the world.
But I knew it was for the better.
And I knew there was one person in particular who had given me the push that I had desperately needed for years.
I felt like I could melt into the floor the moment I thought of Storm. He had come into my life seeming like an obstacle, but in reality, he was exactly the change I’d needed. More than anything.
“You’re going to be okay,” Landry said.
“There’s a whole new world out there.”
He smiled. “And it’s going to be awesome.”
My resignation letter had been drafted by lunchtime. It turned out that it was very easy to quit a job, even if it was one you’d had for your whole life. I turned it in at HR, grabbed a box, and packed up my things.
And I walked out of the Lux Marketing building feeling like I’d just been reborn. There was snow still coating the trees, but the sun was starting to peek out, making everything shimmer in the light.
It was going to be hard work.
I would need to take lots and lots of meetings with former clients and potential future clients. I already had so many strong networks and social relationships, but I would need to lean on them even more.
But as I breathed in the crisp air outside, I felt like I could do it. For myself. For Storm. And, always, for Dad.
In fact, there was a former client that I was set to have a dinner meeting with tonight, who was looking for marketing for a new beverage company startup he was founding. He was a big football fan, and I knew he’d love to meet with me and Storm.
The real work could start now.
I pulled out my phone, buzzing with excitement, and I texted Storm.
>>Emmett: Storm, I did something crazy. I know you’re at practice right now, but let me know if you’re free tonight. Come to dinner with me and an old friend?
18
STORM
“I did it,” Emmett said as I slid into the passenger seat of his Porsche.
“Did what, exactly?” I asked. “Are you about to show me a tattoo, Emmett? I hope it’s on your ass, if so.”
He laughed, looking over at me with a sparkle in his eyes. We were parked outside my house, about to go to the dinner he had planned. Most of the snow on the ground had melted, but tiny white patches remained on some trees and shrubs.
For the first time in my life, I liked that. Because I knew Emmett must enjoy seeing it, too.
“No tattoo,” he said.
I hummed, reaching out a hand to slide my palm along his thigh. “Do you want to tell me what you did while I drag you to my bed, by any chance?” I murmured. “Because you look good. You always look good, but I think my Emmett craving is acting up right now.”
He bit his lower lip, his eyes dancing across my face. “I’d take you right here in the car if we had the time,” he said.
A thrill shot through me.
Damn, he really was in a good mood.
“God, I like you,” I said.
“I like you, too.”
“So, what is it?” I asked, squeezing his leg. “What did you do, while looking this sexy?”