Kate Beckett had it all—or at least, that's what everyone said or thought. The corner office at 58th and Park Avenue, the live-in boyfriend in their Central Park West loft, the prestigious career she'd built after graduating top of her class from Cornell and earning her MBA from Columbia. Her life could only go one way: forward. At least, that's what she thought before everything changed in the next forty-eight hours.
The cab pulled up in front of her building, and Kate stepped out, her phone pressed to her ear.
"Ken, Max will never approve a merger that size. The cash outlay would overextend the firm." She strode toward the entrance, her expensive Louboutin's clicking against the sidewalk.
"Kate, this could increase our bottom line by tens of millions," Ken insisted through the phone. "Let me explain it to Max. Everyone wins if this goes through."
She considered his proposal as she waited for the elevator, the conversation cutting in and out during the ride to the seventeenth floor. When the doors opened, Ken greeted her with an eager smile that stretched across his face.
"We'll discuss it later," she said, ending the call. "I have the IBC meeting first."
Carol, her executive assistant, intercepted her. "About that—IBC moved the meeting to Friday night and Saturday. Their team needs to be back on the West Coast by Sunday."
Kate nodded. "Fine. Any conflicts?"
Robyn, her junior assistant, stepped forward. "I have ballet tickets for tomorrow night. I ordered them six months ago."
"That's fine, Robyn." Kate's voice carried the chill of a December morning. "Enjoy the ballet. Just don't expect to have a job on Monday."
The office fell silent. Kate surveyed her team, her expression unyielding. "This merger is critical. I need everyone at one hundred and ten percent. Cancel your dates, find babysitters, board your dogs—whatever it takes. Are we clear, Robyn?"
"Yes, Kate." Robyn's voice barely carried across the room.
"Good. Meeting in an hour to review the IBC timeline. I want full company updates before then."
Kate turned toward her office, but Max's secretary intercepted her. "The owner would like dinner with you tonight."
"Of course." Kate glanced at Carol. "Cancel my dinner with Will."
The door clicked shut behind her, leaving her assistants exchanging looks. They didn't need to say it—there was a reason they called her the tiger lady.
Kate stared at the plates the server had just set before her and Max. Her entrée looked even less appetizing than his. The server—Philip, as he'd introduced himself—assured them he'd be available if they needed anything. Max dove right in while Kate picked at her food with her fork.
True to form, Max didn't waste time with small talk.
"Tell me, Kate, what do you know about Robert Carson?"
"From what I remember, he's the COO of Food Chain and Avon. Goes for the jugular. Smart, takes no bullshit. But I've never met him. Why?"
"He called me this morning. Wants to talk."
"About what?"
"Seems he's shopping for new representation. Whatever his reasons, I want to land his account. I've set up dinner at Le Cirque tomorrow night. You'll meet him, get a feel for what he's thinking."
Kate's fork paused midway to her mouth. "I thought he was with The McKenzie Group?"
"Carson's not happy with their situation. They're looking for more." Max leaned forward, his voice dropping. "Do you realize how big we could become? We'd be the largest firm in the country."
"Stealing that account from McKenzie..." Kate's eyes gleamed. "Can you imagine?"
Max studied her for a moment, weighing his next words. He'd always liked Kate, and what he was about to offer would likely floor her. If only she'd let him get through it without her signature rapid-fire questions.
"Kate, you're a positive force in this firm. Your talent knows no bounds—"
"Max, are you leaving the company?" Her face drained of color.
"What? No! Why would you—"
"Wait, am I leaving and don't know about it yet?"
"Kate." He held up his hand. "Just... let me get through this without a million questions. Deal?"
"Deal." She pressed her lips together.
Max lifted his wine glass, swirling the burgundy liquid as he gathered his thoughts. After a small sip, he set it down and met her gaze. "I want you to become a partner."
Her eyes widened, but before she could speak, he continued, "You've been here over ten years. Your work speaks for itself. You've landed more accounts than everyone else combined."
"I... this is incredible. I accept!"
"The offer's legitimate, but I still need to talk to Everett. Land Food Chain, and I'm certain you'll have no problems becoming a partner."
"I've only met Everett a few times. Hope he remembers me."
"Trust me, if you land Food Chain, he'll never forget you."
Kate's nervousness manifested in her tell-tale habit—her Louis Vuitton heel tapping against the floor. It started as a gentle rhythm but quickly escalated to a persistent drumbeat. She set down her cutlery as her leg developed a mind of its own, bouncing with increasing intensity.
"How many hours do you work during the week?" Max asked.
"Sixty, seventy maybe?"
"As partner, it'll only get worse."
"I never complain about the hours, Max. The job comes first. My dedication isn't in question."
Her leg went into overdrive, drawing curious glances from nearby diners. The staccato clicks of her heel against the floor grew more pronounced.
"What is that noise?" Max's irritation bled through.
Kate pressed her hand to her knee, silencing the drumbeat.
"Must be some kind of vibration," Max muttered. He cleared his throat. "You know, I don't usually think of you as a woman..."
Kate understood his meaning. She'd built her reputation by outperforming every man in the office. The comment didn't faze her.
"But now I have to consider you as a woman partner." He paused. "I'm not prying, but what if you and Will decide to marry? What if he expects a traditional wife?"
Kate raised her hand. "May I?"
At his nod, she continued, "Will and I aren't getting married. Ever. We both live and breathe work too much for that kind of commitment. That's why we work together. I understand what this business demands."
"Do you understand the sacrifices? A man can be successful and still have a personal life. My wife's there whenever I need her—managing the kids, the house, even working part-time. She supports me. I can have it all. Can you?"
"Is that what worries you?" Kate's tone turned serious. "I don't want it all. I only want what I work for—becoming partner."
Later that evening, Will emerged from the bathroom, his face covered in green mask. Kate glanced up from her position on the bed.
"I've been thinking about getting a dog," he said. "An Akita. They're supposed to be very compassionate."
"A dog?" Kate's eyebrows shot up.
"Yeah. Thought you loved them."
"I do. Who doesn't? But they need feeding, walking, and don't get me started on the shedding. A dog needs time I don't have."
"It was just a thought. Wasn't planning to run out tomorrow and buy one."
"Besides, I'm terrible with living things. Look at my house plants—all dead or dying."
Will leaned closer, lowering his voice. "I think you're great with living things. Want to make love?"
"With that green goop on your face? I wouldn't touch you with a ten-foot pole!" She smirked.
"All right, all right." He retreated to the bathroom to scrub off his cucumber mask.
While he cleaned up, Kate pulled out the real estate section of the New York Times. The listings had only grown more tempting since her last browse. "Will! Look at this—a sixty-two-acre Vermont estate with a fruit orchard, swimming pond, and 360-degree mountain views!" She circled the listing with her black Sharpie.
"Why do you keep saving these?" Will called from the bathroom.
"Why not? Everyone dreams of a vacation home."
"People who take vacations have vacation homes," he said, emerging with a clean face. "We're not those people. Besides, the cell reception up there is terrible. You'd never survive."
Kate ignored him, still absorbed in the listing. "Oh my God, it even has a barn!"
Will moved closer. "Now about that earlier offer..."
She looked up. "You still interested?"
His answer came in the form of lips finding that sensitive spot on her neck, and they fell into their familiar rhythm.
Four minutes later, they lay side by side, already reaching for their work. Will pulled a report from his briefcase while Kate retrieved a spreadsheet for tomorrow's Food Chain meeting.
"That was incredible. You're incredible," Will murmured.
Kate allowed herself a small smile, acknowledging their physical compatibility even as she focused on her numbers. They worked in comfortable silence until 12:45, when sleep finally claimed them both.
A/N: As with many writers I have the same opinion that they have. We do not need people telling us that they can make this story into a comic book or an artsy fartsy rendering of what you think the story could be. So please think first about contacting me about something I do not want. If you do contact me, your message will be deleted immediately.