Kade rolled his tight shoulders and smiled at his friends. “I appreciate that. But it’s my past threatening the empire. I’m going to handle it the only way I know how.” Ironically he was at peace with his decision. “Just promise me one thing.”
“Anything, man. You know that,” Derek said.
“When you settle with Julian, and the lawyers already said he’s going to get something if we go to court, make sure it’s the bare minimum and no part of the company.”
Luke pulled him into a brotherly hug. “I admire the hell out of you.”
Kade slapped the other man on the back, then turned to Derek.
“Are you sure there’s no other way?” Derek asked. “Like admitting to the Lila situation and we ride out the storm together?”
He shook his head. “I made some calls, spoke to some investors, and if I stick around, the IPO goes up in flames. But even more importantly, I won’t let him go after anyone else we care about, and if I remain a part of Blink, my gut tells me he’ll keep coming.”
“This sucks,” Derek muttered.
Kade grinned. “There are worse things in life than losing billions.”
Like losing the woman he loved.
* * *
Lexie sat with the computer open to Indeed and Monster, looking for a job. Kendall was at a therapy appointment, and Waffles was asleep at her feet. In another open window on her computer, she worked on her resume. She hoped Kade would give her a recommendation, although she knew it didn’t look good to have held her last job for a mere couple of weeks, and for the one before that, she lacked references. She didn’t think Kade would be looking to hurt her professionally, although deep down she knew she didn’t deserve anything from him at all. He’d already given her the biggest gift he could, not reporting her sister to the police.
As she narrowed her search choices, she decided to stick with secretarial and professional-assistant-type jobs, knowing, at the very least, that’s where her skills lay. Once she had her sister situated inpatient somewhere, she could apply for a job without worrying about Kendall wreaking havoc, at least until she was released.
Lexie sighed and went back to looking. She didn’t know how long she’d been at it when the doorbell rang. Maybe Kendall had forgotten her keys. She strode over and opened the door.
“Kade!” He was the last person she expected to see, and damned if her heart didn’t pick up speed at the sight of him.
In his khaki pants and green Army shirt, he was every inch the sexy tech god she adored. She pushed back the flood of desire, knowing it had no place between them. Not anymore.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Can we talk?”
She deliberately squelched the spark of hope in her chest because nothing had changed. She’d decided that earlier today. “Of course.”
Waffles jumped up on his hind legs, his front paws on Kade’s jeans, begging for attention. “Hey, buddy.” He petted the dog’s head, talking to him in silly tones that made Lexie smile and warmth fill her at the sight. Of course he would be good with dogs too.
“His name is Waffles,” she said.
Kade groaned. “Thanks to who?”
“My sister.” Lexie laughed. “I suppose you’d have a manlier name for a dog?”
He shrugged. “Never gave it much thought. I didn’t have a pet growing up.”
“Maybe you should get one now. Dogs are soothing.”
He glanced at the furry thing still begging for attention. “I’ll take your word for it.”
She hoped he’d consider it. There were therapy pets meant just for people with anxiety and other unique needs, and she wanted to know he had company at night. Furry canine company would be her preference, but she also wanted him to have a full and happy life. She didn’t want to consider just what that meant.
“Come sit.” She led him into the family room, and they settled beside each other on the sofa. “We’re alone, in case you’re wondering. Kendall is at a doctor’s appointment, so feel free to talk.” She gestured around the empty apartment.
“I wanted to discuss your job. Things are changing at Blink, and I won’t be needing an assistant.”
He didn’t elaborate, and she didn’t ask, no longer feeling like it was her business to push him for answers. It hurt her, that she could no longer speak her mind or know what was in the deeper recesses of his.
Still, she appreciated him letting her know in person, considering he’d already technically fired her. “Don’t worry about me. I was looking for a job before you got here. See?” She pointed to the open laptop on the ottoman in front of them.
He frowned at the screen. “You don’t need to worry about employment ads. I promised you that no matter what happened between us, you’d have a job at Blink. Whenever you’re ready, go back and Derek will have a position for you.”
She blinked back tears. “Kade, I don’t deserve that kind of generosity. Kendall shouldn’t have been in your apartment. She shouldn’t have had the chance to take your watch in the first place. That’s on me.”
He shook his head, his gaze warm and understanding. “Julian being able to get close to your sister? That’s on me. So maybe we call it even?”
“Yeah. Even sounds good.” Maybe she could say good-bye knowing he didn’t hate her for how things had turned out between them. Heaven knew she didn’t hate him.