Page 2 of Executive Benefits

“Mr. Grayson.” The judge got my attention back to her before I could celebrate too long. “You will have the papers drawn up within thirty days, and the deed, all financial decisions, and the documents will transfer to your name.”

I didn’t listen to anything else the judge said. I probably should have, but the fact that I got a win against Kendra after being kicked in the balls so many times in the last few years was enough to burn any hard wiring away. Now, it actually looked like I got one thing I wanted. I turned to Ted and smiled with him.

I finally got to cut ties and move on. I don’t think I’d heard anything that good in longer than I could remember. I tipped myhead to Kendra’s scoff, choosing to believe it was because I was still tuned into her mood, and flicked my eyes in her direction.

I couldn’t help but be happy, even as she slid her sunglasses on. I refrained from telling her it was winter because I was tired of poking the bear, but now I could look at her in a small, cathartic moment where I enjoyed how ridiculous she looked.

Kendra grabbed her coat and stepped over to my side of the courtroom. She pointed a finger at me and said, “Don’t think this is over, Nick,” before she whipped around in a whirlpool of fabric and stormed out of the courtroom.

“Don’t worry, she can’t appeal the process,” Ted said, standing.

I looked at my hands, settled on the table, and took a moment in. Then I let Kendra’s threat settle over my shoulders, guessing that she could only mean she’d try to turn the staff against me too.

That was one thing that surprised me.

The staff saw Kendra’s true face, and they stayed with me throughout the process. But I hoped that they would still stick around.

I stood and looked at Ted whose smile was plastered to his face. “See, pragmatic realism worked.” He patted my shoulder and held out his hand. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” I shook his hand back and dropped it quickly. “Appreciate it.”

We turned and walked down the aisle and out into the hallway.

“When do you start rebranding the restaurant?”

I looked at my watch. “In about two hours.”

“You were that positive you were going to get it?”

“No.” I laughed. “But I had to hope for something.”

We walked out of the building. “Thanks again, Ted. I shouldn’t need your services for anything else.” I chuckled. If I did, that meant I was getting divorced again, and I probably wasn’t going to be in the market for marriage ever again.

The thought strangely relaxed me.

That, or I was so relieved that I got to keep my restaurant that I couldn’t imagine anything or anyone else keeping me happy. “Take care of yourself, Ted.”

For the first time in a long time, I finally calmed down.

I finally felt like things were going to turn around and I could live the life I always wanted to.

I got into my car and drove to my restaurant, and I couldn’t wait to get started.

2

JULIA

“Alright, you’re headed to your two o’clock, yes?” Mia asked me, not for the first time.

“Yup. Mmhmm.” It was best to just let her ask her questions. Otherwise, her anxiety could get the better of her.

“Great,” she said as I turned the wheel. I was early, but that’s okay. I liked to be prepared and give myself a little time to calm myself down before walking into a big meeting.

“News on Buffalo,” Mia started. My fingers white-knuckled the steering wheel hearing that we were going to have to talk about that mess.

“We can’t talk about something good?” I hated the whine in my voice, but it was there and I wasn’t going to shy away from it. I was still reeling from the experience.

“It is good. We’re seeing that Jared may not have done as much damage as it looked like, but the bad news is that it isn’t because he didn’t try. People have short memories, and other scandals are happening as we speak.”

---