“Yes ma’am. As of about half an hour ago, I no longer work for the firm. My choice, so please don’t worry.” Josie removed all the files from her briefcase, placing them on her desk before filling it with a couple of picture frames and other personal items. When she seemed satisfied she had everything, Josie smiled and said, “Ready.”
The three of them left Josie’s father and sister staring after them. As soon as they were outside, Josie let out a whoop, pumping her fist in the air. “Mrs. Cooley, I’m so glad you stopped by. You can celebrate with us.”
“Please, call me Winnie.”
Kai and Josie drove to the local Italian restaurant with Winnie following in her chauffeured car. Josie enjoyed lunch with Mrs. Cooley. She sat back and listened as Kai and the older woman reminisced about the island Kai called home. What was strange was Kai referring to Winnie as a young girl, while she said he hadn’t changed a bit in fifty years. He had explained how they, she included, would look the same for the rest of their lives, but it hadn’t hit home until then.
Winnie was loyal to Kai, and in turn, Josie, saying she would find another attorney to handle her estate. Kai mentioned a woman named Victoria Holt, who was the Stone Clan’s lawyer. Before they went their separate ways, Winnie made them promise to come by for dinner soon. Josie had two dinner invitations in one day, and she couldn’t be happier. Her decision to walk out of her family’s firm had been easier than expected, especially when her father made his ridiculous offer for Josie to work solely for Presley. Her mother called during lunch, but Josie let it go to voicemail.
“Where are we going?” Josie asked as soon as they were in the Veyron.
“Since we’re already close, I thought we’d stop by the building so you can see your next adventure.”
Josie laughed. “You make it sound like I’ve had my first one.”
“Then welcome to the beginning of lots of new experiences.” Kai kissed her knuckles, and Josie found it to be one of his favorite moves.
The structure, which Kai said she was co-owner of, wasn’t anything like Josie imagined. It was a two-story brick business in a nice area with plenty of parking. The inside was spacious, and as Kai showed her where he planned to put sparring rings and equipment, she could easily envision it. By the time he locked the door behind them, Josie was excited.
“How long will it take to get everything set up?”
“I’m not sure. I need to get Rafael down here to show him my ideas. He’ll then work up the plans for renovation and suggest the contractor. In the meantime, we need to talk to Frey about the software he uses for the gym. I imagine it would be close to what we need. If you like, I’ll leave that up to you since that will be your domain.”
“I’d like that. But we’ll need help designing things like the website and the logo.”
Kai pushed a button on the steering wheel and said, “Call Frey.”
The phone rang in surround sound, then Frey’s voice was loud and clear. “Hello, Brother. Is Josie okay?” Frey’s concern warmed Josie’s heart. In a few short days, she had become part of a large family who accepted her without question. They didn’t know anything much about Josie other than she was Kai’s mate.
“She’s perfect. She quit her job this morning, so we’ve been discussing the training center. Whenever you have some free time, we’d like to talk to you about the software and computer system you use for the gym.”
“If you’re free, why don’t you head this way? Connor’s here playing with Amelia. We’d already planned on grilling out later when Dante and Isabelle come to pick Connor up. You’re welcome to join us.”
“That sounds perfect. What do we need to bring?”
“Just yourselves. We’ll have plenty of food.”
“Okay. We will see you as soon as we run home and change clothes.”
Kai disconnected. “I’m sorry, Sunshine. I should have asked before I agreed without making sure you were okay with staying to eat.”
Josie placed her hand on Kai’s neck, running her fingers through his short hair. “Are you kidding? Three invites in one day. I suddenly feel like one of the cool kids. Actually, I feel like the nerdy girl who is dating one of the stars of the football team, and now I get to hang out with the team and all their cheerleader girlfriends, only these cheerleaders are nice women who won’t look at me like I’m out of place. Like I’m the pity date.”
“Is that what high school was like for you?”
“Oh, no. I never got to date the hot guy. Not saying my boyfriend wasn’t cute because he was. But he was considered a nerd. He was shy and sweet, so we were perfectly matched.” Josie felt Kai’s mood dip, and she squeezed his neck. “No need for jealousy, Mr. Palamo. That was fourteen years ago. He broke up with me our junior year when he transferred to a school somewhere in Tennessee. His father got a new job, so they had to move. After that, I focused on getting good grades. My father was already hounding me to go into law. Besides, there wasn’t anyone I was interested in who asked me out.”
Kai calmed down, and Josie continued massaging his neck the rest of the ride home. She smiled when she thought about coming home every day to the large house nestled in the trees. It was like a mini paradise. When they stopped at the gate for Kai to speak into the box, the gate didn’t open as it should. Kai tried several times
