“You’re here to tell me to take some time off?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
“Not a problem. I have a trip planned next week and again in August for a wedding. The holidays are in a few months, so I’ll tack on some time there too.”
“Evin, a few days sprinkled here and there will not cut it. You need to look at weeks. Ten weeks to be specific.”
I suck in a sharp breath, mentally calculating my PTO. “Ten weeks?”
“Ten.”
“None of that rolls over or pays out?”
“That’s with your rollover and payout. I did the computing myself.”
“Shit, there’s no way.”
“The perks of an overachiever.”
I catch the humor in his voice. “You consider this is funny?”
“Not at all, but most people would jump at this news. You look miserable.”
“How the hell am I supposed to manage my business if I’m not here?”
“How about getting an assistant?”
“You’re an ass.” I fall back in my chair. “Sneak attack.”
“Think about it.”
“Anything else on your mind?”
“The list is endless. My next question is about this office. You’ve been in here for over a week.”
“If it makes you feel better, Darby and my mom are coming today to help me unload and decorate.”
His eyes light up and he wiggles his eyebrows. “How is your sister?”
“Very bossy, very pregnant, and very much in love.”
“Bossy and pregnant I can deal with. It’s the in love part that is a problem.”
Everyone here adores my twin sister. Being a small town, her story of reconnecting with Pierce Kendrick was a major topic of conversation. The band of diamonds, my nephew typically on her hip, and the fact that she is pregnant again do nothing to stop the teasing. Jackson is not the only man to throw in jabs about stealing her away.
“Get in line. Joe’s been pining for a lot longer than you.”
“Joseph doesn’t stand a chance.”
“No one has a chance, but you fools keep dreaming.”
He scrubs his chin, pretending to think about what I’ve said. “Fair enough.”
“Anything else?”
“Nothing business-related. You ready for this trip to Vegas?”
“Joint bachelor and bachelorette party with a bunch of couples? Not sure what there is to be ready for.”
“Man, you ever been to Vegas? It’s the perfect place for you to let loose and live a little. Let go of your control issues and enjoy it.”
There’s no point in arguing with him because it’s a well-known trait that control drives me.
“Didn’t you say Ashlyn’s brothers would be there?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, the three of you should be able to enjoy the trip. Especially the nightlife. Just be careful. Things happen in Vegas.”
“You don’t have to worry about me losing my ass at the tables.”
“That thought never crossed my mind. I’m thinking more along the lines of all the beautiful women.”
“I think I can handle the women. Been doing pretty well for thirty-five years.”
“There’s a reason the entire city is built around a slogan. The booze, the money, the ladies—I’ve known even the strongest of men to find their weakness. Remember, not everything stays in Vegas, don’t get reckless.”
“Man, this visit of yours gets better and better. Any other worldly advice you’d like to dole out?”
“How about a drink after work, you’re buying.”
“You lay off the pressure and I’m in.”
He stands, rapping his knuckles on my desk. “Totally off the clock. I need some help with my fantasy team.”
“So, you want to use my brain and spend my money.”
He’s almost out the door when he flicks his hand in the air and throws back, “There is a reason I’m an excellent lawyer.”
I turn back to the televisions on the wall. His words spin in my head. There’s no way I’m taking ten weeks off. What the hell would I do?
My thoughts travel to Vegas and the itinerary Scottie sent to everyone. Maybe Jackson is right and it’s time to let loose a little.
Good thing for me I never lose control and I’ve never had a weakness.
Chapter 1
Evin
“If you don’t put that phone away, it’s going to find itself at the bottom of the fish tank,” Scottie hisses.
“You touch my phone, we’ll have major problems.” I raise my eyes to find him scowling.
“Seriously, Evin, can’t you let it go for a weekend? We’re in Vegas for a party. Anything happening back in Charleston can wait until you get to your office.”
“I run a business, Scottie. It requires attention.”
“Yes, but at this moment, it’s past eight on the east coast. Not much you can do about anything. I’m honestly wondering why you came since you’ve been distracted since we landed on Wednesday.”
I open my mouth to argue, but he’s right. So far, most of my free time has been spent working.
“Leave him alone. There’s nothing wrong with being a workaholic,” Megan, Stephanie’s sister, defends.
Workaholic. Shit, the truth sucks. This woman doesn’t know me and has pegged my lifestyle.
“Okay, no more.” I drop the phone on my thigh and lift my hands in surrender. “And to your point, I’m here because Stephanie is like a sister to me. She’s the one that comes without the headaches.”
“Psshhh, not likely. Try being her blood sister. She’s a nightmare.” Megan’s smile says the opposite.
Stephanie Langley has been Darby’s best friend for over a decade. What began as a business relationship quickly turned into an unbreakable bond of friendship. My family adores Stephanie, and truth is, she’s responsible for helping Darby get to the point of success she is.
I owe Stephanie more than I can ever repay.
In a surprising twist, Stephanie met Todd at Darby’s wedding.
In a month, they’re marrying.
This long weekend in Las Vegas is a party for the happy couple. When Stephanie announced her plans to have her party in Vegas, Todd lost his mind, nixing the idea. Scottie stepped in. Scottie is more than Stephanie’s legal assistant; he’s an extension of her family. He came up with the solution to mix everyone together. Austin, Andrew, Megan, and I are the singles of the group.
I’ve been around Megan a few times over the years, noticing she’s the quiet type. Austin and Andrew
