Page 103 of Pressure

"You do understand how ridiculous that sounds, right? It's not like he can just swing by the neighborhood and pick me up."

Austin giggled. "It took some getting used to when we first got together but having a jet is fun. And he kind of can swing by. I mean not literally, but he's in Chicago on business and leaving tomorrow night to meet me in Colorado if you want to tag along with him."

She sighed. It would save her from having to book a flight and fly commercial. She'd ridden with Lance enough to know that private was the best way to fly.

"OK. I'll do it."

She could practically hear Austin grinning.

"Great. I'll see you tomorrow night then. We can go to Denver and hit up a bar or something."

Marissa grimaced. Bars weren't really her thing but she liked Austin so she might humor her.

Her doorbell rang as Austin hung up.

She frowned and made her way to the door. It was a messenger clutching a thick manilla envelope.

"Marissa Sullivan?"

She gave him a skeptical nod. Was she about to be sued?

He shoved the envelope in her direction. She recognized the logo immediately.

"Can you sign for it please?"

She nodded and scrawled her signature on the clipboard he held out.

When he backed away, she shut the door and tore the envelope open.

It was the employment offer Lance had promised her.

Her eyes widened as she read the offer. She would essentially run an entire arm of Lance's company. It was one of the most prestigious tech companies in the country. How could she turn it down? Her hands shook as she flipped through the contract.

She owed it to herself to do some research. Lance wouldn't give her an unfair contract, but he might be overly generous in an attempt to win her back.

She dialed Austin's number again.

"You're not calling to cancel on the weekend, are you?"

Marissa chuckled. "No. You know contract law, don't you?"

"I do."

"Would you be willing to give me some friendly advice if I bring a contract with me this weekend?"

Austin hesitated and Marissa winced. "Sorry. I shouldn't have asked. I can just find a local attorney."

"Wait. It's not that. It's just... Is it the contract Lance is offering you?"

Marissa closed her eyes. "How did you know?"

Austin laughed. "I know contract law and Lance wanted a friend to look it over before he had his own people look at it. He wanted to make sure he wasn't being too over the top."

Marissa chuckled. "OK then. So, you think it's a solid offer?"

"I do. Though if you're not going to fix your personal issues, they'll rear their ugly heads again in the future."

Marissa was surprised at the woman's honesty, but she appreciated it.

"You're right. Well. I guess if you've already looked at it, I won't bring it. I'll see you tomorrow."

She hastily ended the call and went to her bedroom to pack for the weekend.