“I don’t know. I thought there’d be a simple solution. But there never is, is there?”
“We think that, but when it truly comes down to it, I don’t think it’s too hard to pick the right path,” he says.
“Is this more Estrella wisdom?” I tease, trying to make light of what seems like an impossible situation.
“Just personal experience.” He smiles, and I decide perhaps I can confide in him after all.
“Then help me out here. My heart feels so light, if it weren’t for my ribcage it would have floated away. But my head feels heavy, coming up with a thousand ways why this is such a bad idea.”
“And what does your gut say?”
“My gut?” I scoff. “That’s been in a mess the whole time, it’s like a washing machine. It’s definitely not to be relied upon.” Perhaps his advice might not be so helpful after all.
“Is it swirling with excitement or fear?”
“Both,” I answer irritably.
“No, really think about it. Really tune in. When you think about the future, your possible future, there’ll be nerves, but are they because you really want to see what it will hold, like you can’t wait for it to happen fast enough?”
I think of Chase and how I feel when he’s close, how he looks at me. The time we’ve spent discussing his house and collection, how he calls me sweetheart. I let out a smile.
“There you go, there’s your answer.” Rafe smiles wisely, and deep down I know he’s right. I do want a future with Chase, or at least to try for one as much as he does. Rafe puts a hand on my shoulder and squeezes.
“Do you feel better now?”
“Yes, no, yes.” I nod, confirming my last statement, and he laughs at me.
“I think we’ve found an answer.” My dad pipes up across the room, and I join him with Rafe just behind me.
“If there are no changes to this contract when you send it to clients, then there is a way. You might not be able to transfer your clients, but they have it a lot easier. They can terminate their contract with an agent, and there’s nothing in there to say they can’t then sign on with any agent they choose.”
“What? There’s nothing to stop them from re-signing with me as an independent agent?”
“No. I guess ANC hadn’t thought that might be a possibility.” Reggie sneers slightly to give his opinion of their legal team.
“Well, I’d be willing to do that for you, Noah. I bet the others will too,” Rafe says.
“Thanks, Rafe. That means a lot to me.” He turns and suddenly hugs me.
“You deserve to have your dreams come true as well,” he whispers before he lets me go. I do want to make a go of it, with Chase’s investment if he’s still interested.
“Now, are you going to tell me who this important guy is who’s had us all in here checking this out while our dinner grows cold?” Dad asks, sitting back in his chair and tipping his head to the side. I know that look. He’s not going to let me leave until I’ve told them. I look at each of their faces in turn and take a deep breath.
“Chase Knightly.”
My dad’s eyebrows shoot up to his hairline.
“Bloody ’ell! He’s nearly my age.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Chase
“ANC is calling.”Elsa’s voice comes through the intercom. “They want a meeting to talk about you signing your client contract?” I can tell she wants to sound casual, but of course she fails miserably.
She knows better than anyone what I’ve been doing the last week between my normal workload and texting Noah every time I can.
“Check if I can go tomorrow, please,” I tell her without beating around the bush, and she signs off without a word.