Page 37 of The Meeting
He groaned again, which sent her into a fit of giggles. “I’m going to punish you when I can get you in bed.”
She winked. “I’m looking forward to it.”
He walked out before he could talk himself into staying. It took all of his effort to remind himself it had to be this way.
It’s only temporary.
11
Chase checked all the papers on his desk to make sure everything was in order, along with his notes. They would go to mediation tomorrow for the business, and he wanted to make sure the case ended sooner rather than later. Drew had agreed on mediation purely because it was cheaper. Chase knew they had the upper hand if they went to court, but dragging it out longer than necessary wouldn’t work in anyone’s favor. Kailynn wanted out of the situation as soon as possible, and if she could get everything she wanted just by attending mediation, then it was better in the long run.
It wasn’t lost on him that it also worked in both of their favors as far as a relationship went. Excitement coursed through him to know that everything could end tomorrow. And if that little prick of her ex dragged it to court because he thought he could get the better deal, Chase was going to be pissed.
He wouldn’t put it past Drew to drag it out. Drew was a cocky asshole, as far as Chase could tell. He continually taunted Kailynn with messages that she wouldn’t succeed without him. Not only was he violating the agreement that all communication needed to go through the lawyers, but he was just pissing her off more.
Drew wasn’t just pissing Kailynn off. He was also pissing Chase off. And pissing Chase off was a dangerous move. He wanted just as badly to watch Drew go down in flames when they revealed they knew everything he had done. Chase even spent extra time over the last few weeks going back through all the expenses to make sure he hadn’t missed anything. It was a painstaking process to pore over their records for the last seven years, but he did it anyway… with pleasure.
He flagged all entries that seemed like large amounts or with a vendor he didn’t know. Kailynn gave him a list of the vendors she used regularly, and the rest of the vendors he researched to see if they were part of business operations or if they were fakes.
As far as Chase could tell, Drew hadn’t been very clever about hiding his personal spending. Perhaps it was because he knew Kailynn wouldn’t check or because she trusted him, but now that they were digging into it, it wasn’t hard for Chase to spot the fakes. Most vendors he could write off immediately, and the ones he did flag were only because he was being extra paranoid. In the end, all the money Drew spent through the company for Sheila and Jessica were all put in their names. He didn’t even attempt to show a fake company.
Frankly, Drew was an idiot. But Chase was thankful for it, since it made his job easier. At least now they didn’t have to prove much in the end.
After he stacked all the papers needed in his briefcase, he tried to open a different case file, but he just couldn’t focus. He spent another thirty minutes trying to work on it, but in the end, he put it aside. It was a waste of time.
He pulled out his phone and sent a text to Kailynn.
How are you holding up?
The dots immediately danced across the screen, indicating she was typing a response.
I’m a nervous wreck.
It’ll all be okay.
I hope so.
What are you up to?His leg bounced nervously as he waited for her reply. He wanted badly to be there with her right now, but wondered if he could control himself. If all went according to plan, tomorrow would just about wrap up everything for her business. Then it would just be some paperwork to fill out to get the ball rolling.
Trying to work, but I can’t seem to focus. I’ve been staring at the same stitches for probably twenty minutes without even attempting to add more.Her message ended with a laughing crying emoticon.
Care to get some ice cream?
Normally, he’d never take a client out for ice cream. It would be a weird thing to do, but Kailynn was different. She was a friend. She was special. And he wanted to take her mind off the mediation that would take place tomorrow.
Her response came through quickly.
I’d love to.
I’ll come get you.
He shut down his computer and grabbed his briefcase before walking out to the front area where Eileen was eating lunch at her desk.
“Hey Eileen, I’m going to take off for the day. You can close up early. I’m not expecting any calls.”
She stared back at him in surprise but didn’t hesitate to pack up her belongings.
“Are you sure?”
