Page 127 of This Woman Forever

“Deal done,” I say, smiling at Mario when he gets a water and hands it to Pete.

“Serious?” Sam asks.

“No.” I don’t fuck with them too much. “Waste of my time.”

Both men deflate, Drew more than Sam. I check my watch and text Ava again. She’s still feeling better. Did she have lunch?

“Oh, he’s not gone?” Drew says.

I look up. John’s at the door with Owen, his glasses off, his eyes telling me to go to him. I make a meal of getting up slowly, showing my inconvenience. “What?” I ask, approaching.

“I’ll be in touch,” Owen says, nodding, backing away.

“Right.” I exhale my impatience, watching him looking around as he goes, taking in the many women throwing many sultry looks.

“I need you in the office,” John says.

“What for?”

“We need to find the deeds to this place.”

“Why?”

“Because when they come back with a more realistic, sweeter offer, and they will, trust me, you’re going to have to provide proof of ownership.” He turns and walks away. “Plus the accountant wants some information for your tax liabilities, you need to find your banking customer number, and somewhere in there are my pension details.” He looks back, his bushy eyebrows appearing over his shades. “I’d ask Sarah, but?—”

“So she looked after your paperwork too?” John should have details of his pension, that’s standard.

“Get moving,” he grunts, swerving my observation.

“I’m coming,” I grate, signaling to the boys that I’m off. I stop at the door and look back at Sam. “All right?” I ask.

“I’m meeting her in an hour.” He stands and pulls out his keys.

My smile is unstoppable. No point mentioning Dan, but I’m still curious why he wants to meet me. “Happy for you, mate.”

“Me too,” Sam says.

We both look at Drew as he passes his eyes between us both. “Me too,” he breathes tiredly, then scans the bar for potential playmates.

I carry on with John and once again sigh at the paperwork when I enter my office. “Fucking hell,” I murmur, going to my desk and flicking through a few pieces. “So you’re thinking of retiring?” I ask, casual.

“I’m off.”

“What?”

He taps the screen of his watch. “Your wife finishes work at six, am I right?”

“Oh, yeah.” I think I’d rather face Ava’s potential wrath than this paperwork.

“And where am I taking her?”

“Well, here,” I grunt. “Since you’re cracking your whip and putting me to work.” I flinch. Whip. “God’s speed.”

He laughs under his breath, shaking the room. “And have you told her I’ll be bringing her here?”

I glance up.

“Just preparing myself for what I’m walking into,” he adds.

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