Olivia had always hated when he was upset. She slid right back into that girlfriend role even though she didn’t feel like that title fit her anymore. “It’s okay. You’re not going to have time to work with me anyway. You’re going to be the international lawyer for Legion-Winter. You’ll be flying all over the world in your private jet.”
Mark smiled again. “That’s right. Mostly.”
“Mostly?” Olivia asked, packing up her things for the next couple of weeks in Charleston. Well, unless Roger was an ass again and filed another motion.
“Yes. It’s one of the main reasons I’m going to Charleston. I have a meeting with Ryker Faulkner to discuss partnering with Legion-Winter for our shipping needs.”
“Excellent. Are you ready to leave now or do you want to fly down later? I don’t know if you have an assistant yet, but Imani can arrange travel for you until you hire someone.” Olivia asked.
“Now is good. They put my bags somewhere downstairs. I’ll just grab them and meet you in the lobby.”
The second Mark left her office, Imani and Mateo were on it.
“Is he single?” Imani asked.
“I don’t know. It’s none of my business.”
“I think it is. Let me do my thing.” Imani had her phone out and even with perfectly shaped long nails she operated it faster than Olivia could ever dream of doing. “Nope. No girlfriend, but lots of arm candy at events.”
Mateo was now looking over her shoulder. “Is that him playing polo with a prince?”
And right there was one of the many reasons they’d broken up. It was all coming back to her now. Mark had been great, but he was used to being in charge. His family was wealthy. A third-generation lawyer, he was a disappointment to his country club Upper East Side parents because he’d gone to State instead of the Ivy League law school the other Fleming men had attended. Olivia had not been good enough for his parents. They’d made that clear when he’d finally brought her to meet them for dinner after their graduation. She didn’t want to hurt Mark’s feelings, but their disdain for her background, her station in life, had been a big reason she chose to take the Kirkland job. Or, maybe it was better to say it eased her guilt because she was going to take the job anyway. It was the right choice for her career, and while she felt a twinge of guilt, it had been what was best for her and sometimes you have to put yourself first.
They’d tried to make it work, but she and Mark were both ambitious and out to prove themselves. Their work schedules didn’t allow for many days off and eventually they were planning when to see each other and were looking eight months out. It had been sad, but at that point they hadn’t seen each other in four months and were immersed in work. Neither one had time to date locally, let alone long distance. It had ended amicably, but they’d never spoken again.
“Tell us all about the mile high club,” Imani called out right as the elevator doors closed. Olivia rolled her eyes. She told herself for the hundredth time that sass was better than tears or training a new assistant as she stepped into the lobby.
“Okay, I’m ready.”
Olivia turned to see Mark pulling a large, silver hardcover suitcase with a matching hanging bag slung over his shoulder. Olivia smiled and almost laughed when Eric glared at Mark for opening the back door to the car instead of allowing him to do so. Eric was a bit protective of her after hearing all she’d gone through during the assault.
The ride to the airport went by quickly as Olivia told Eric about Mark and talked to Mark about how much she loved Charleston. Before she knew it, they were on the plane on their way home. Well, to her home.
“Thanks for the lift.” Mark gave her that sexy little smirk of his as they walked across the tarmac to where her car was waiting. “Want to get dinner tonight? You can show me around the city some.”
“Sorry, but I don’t stay in the city during the weekends. I have a weekend cottage in Shadows Landing. I’m meeting some friends there tonight. Do you want me to drop you off at the firm’s condo?” Olivia offered, but already she was itching to spend the evening in Shadows Landing. If she rushed home now, she could spend the afternoon out on her dock. Just her, a blanket, a drink, and a good book. She couldn’t imagine anything better. Just then an ornery sheriff with hip-hugging jeans, brown hair that’d been sun-kissed, and dark blue eyes appeared in her mind.
“Olivia Townsend, blushing? Do you have a date tonight?” Mark teased as a second car joined them.
“No, nothing like that. It’s a girls’ night. Well, you have my number now if you need anything. Enjoy your weekend getting settled and I’ll see you at the office on Monday.”
“It’s really good to see you again, Olivia.”
“Yeah, you too.” Olivia waved goodbye and slid into her car. The scent of the ocean made her want to head to Shadows Landing immediately. However, there were things she had to do at her condo first. Like take out the trash. If she left that in her condo over the weekend, it would be a very bad thing.
Olivia sped down the interstate past Faulkner Shipping and into historic downtown Charleston. She drove down near Bay Street before turning onto Broad. The old houses with window boxes filled with bright flowers and their intricate iron gates were beautiful. She turned onto Rutledge Avenue and pulled into a private parking lot behind a palatial old mansion. The mansion had been turned into condos years ago. Thanks to some insider dealing, Olivia bought two condos and turned them into one large one. She loved her home in the city. Her condo took up one full side of the old mansion and had cost a fortune, but the bonus she’d gotten from Ryker last year had made it possible.
Olivia unlocked and opened the door to the lobby, which was really the old vestibule that separated the entrance from the main part of the mansion, but was now used for waiting for cars and mailboxes.
“Oh, hello, dear. Playing hooky from work so you can visit Shadows Landing for the weekend?”
Olivia closed her mailbox and turned to see the owner of the building with her Yorkshire terrier on a leash and ready for her walk. A smile appeared naturally on Olivia’s face. She adored the owners of the building. They were old Charleston society, straight out of history, with a streak of sass and an iron backbone that left Olivia in awe.
“Hello, Miss Tibbie. You know me so well. As soon as I change and take out the trash, I’m on my way to Shadows Landing to take the whole weekend off.”
“Good. Working so much isn’t good for a young lady.”
“I promise, my health is just fine, Miss Tibbie,” Olivia said, trying not to laugh.
“Oh dear. If you thought I was talking about your health, you really have no sex life. I have a grandson . . .”
“Miss Tibbie! Are you prostituting your grandson out to me?”
Miss Tibbie tried to bat her lashes innocently, but failed miserably on the innocence part. “You can’t be a male prostitute, can you? And don’t you want me as your grandmother?”
“They’re called gigolos and it’s still illegal if you pay a man for sex,” Olivia said, trying not to laugh. She put a hand to her heart dramatically. “You’re killing me, Miss Tibbie! Who wouldn’t want you as a grandmother?”