“A dime, no. But what about $1.4 million?” Felicity sighed. “Honestly, I’m not sure what to do now. I need to think about my next step.” She glanced up at Cooper. “What will you do?”
“Well, I can’t do rounds. Harvey was so flustered he’s forgotten Gabe has the van out doing them already.”
“Come home with me, then. Maybe some genius solution will present itself. We can’t stand on the street for the rest of the day. I’ll call for my driver.” She reached for her phone.
Cooper’s expression was pure surprise.
“What?” Felicity asked.
“Sometimes I forget you’re who you are. Someone who has an actual fancy-pants car and driver.”
“You…forgot.” Felicity huffed out a breath. “Well, at least I know you like me for me, then.” She punched in Amir’s number and reeled off her location.
“What makes you think I like you?” Cooper teased once Felicity had hung up. “I might just be in this for the sarcastic commentary.”
“Well, I can see the appeal of that. Sarcasm is one thing I certainly offer in abundance.” Felicity pocketed her phone.
“I like to think you’ll miss me, too,” Cooper said with a smile, “when this is all over and you’re at the top of your glass tower at Bartell Corp and I’m still…”
“Rummaging around dog bottoms?” Felicity suggested sweetly. “Well, I can’t deny you are memorable. You and your ridiculous, affection-seeking dog.” Suddenly a wash of sadness filled her at the thought of seeing neither again. “You know, my apartment allows pets. Would you like to bring Brittany with us, too?”
“I knew you loved her.” Cooper beamed.
“Please. I’m only thinking of you. Me, I tolerate her.”
Cooper snorted. “Be right back. And of course you love her.”
“Delusional, too,” Felicity told the woman’s retreating back.
The town car pulled up. She informed Amir to expect a woman and a dog. If the news surprised him, he showed no sign. Always such a professional. She truly would miss him when he left for Sydney, despite his snail-like idea of a top speed.
Felicity turned away from him to catch the sight of a lanky Cooper striding with Brittany dancing enthusiastically at her side. It was a stunning image.
Was it pathetic she was committing the sight to memory?
No, she told herself. Do not answer that.
CHAPTER 9
The Last Time
Felicity didn’t spend a great deal of time thinking about her apartment. It was where she slept, ate, bathed, and worked on weekends. It was all sleek lines and polished floorboards, brushed aluminum appliances, timber and cream accessories, and top-line fittings. Essentially, it was a showroom of good taste, an ode to swanky executive dreams. The view was to die for, too, when Loki wasn’t destroying her topiary.
But now, looking at it through Cooper’s wide eyes, Felicity was reminded of a few things. She was wealthy, and it showed. Felicity was how the other half lived. Well, not half. She was how the top one percent lived.
Cooper, looking dazed, had barely moved from the moment she’d crossed the threshold.
Brittany adapted a great deal better, running around sniffing everything before bolting up to the glass balcony doors and barking in excitement.
That drew Cooper’s eye, and she finally focused. “Um, Felicity, do you know there’s a kitten in your tree?”
“No, there isn’t,” Felicity said firmly.
“So it’s not yours?”
“That’d be out of character, don’t you think? And there’s nothing out there.”
Cooper pointed at the bright blue eyes surrounded by white fluff peeking out of the leaves. “You don’t see a Siamese kitten about eight to ten weeks old looking right at us? Cute enough to be plastered on the side of a tissue box?”
Felicity merely lifted an eyebrow.
“Is this one of those denial things of yours? If you don’t see it, you won’t befriend it? Or worse, cuddle it?”
“Don’t fall for that pom-pom. She’s pure devil spawn. There’ll be no cuddling from me.” Felicity glared at Loki. The kitten glared right back. “Ever.”
Cooper smiled. Her eyes drifted back to the expansive city view. She stilled and suddenly seemed adrift.
Brittany padded back to the lounge, having lost interest in tree kitties, and selected a designer armchair. She leaped on it, stalking around it in circles before settling.
Felicity winced and prayed her nails were clipped.
It was a sign of how out of it Cooper was that she didn’t order her dog off the furniture. Not that Felicity had the heart to budge Brittany, who looked so happy, her soft brown chin plopped on an armrest, watching them both.
Cooper’s eyes remained fixed on the Manhattan skyline. She finally spoke. “How did you do this at your age? You’re not even forty, are you? How could you have afforded all this, in New York? I’m betting you own it, too.”
“I don’t rent, no. And I worked hard for what I have.” Felicity met Cooper’s eyes evenly. “I didn’t have vacations or weekends for years—you know how focused I am on my career—and that sacrifice paid off. That, and good fortune; being noticed by Elena. That was the biggest factor. And I’m definitely inching closer to forty.” She drew in a breath. “Today I turned thirty-seven.”
“Wait, it’s your birthday?” Cooper’s eyes widened. “And this is how you’re spending it? Putting the fear of God up a charity director?”
