A Firm Merger Read Online Free Page B

people can’t be so easily put into boxes.”
    “I know that better than anyone.” William gestured at the sofa. “May I sit?”
    “I guess so,” Nick grumbled. “But I don’t understand why this couldn’t be done at the office. Or over the phone.” He shifted uncomfortably, wishing he could loosen his tie, remove his shirt and kick off his shoes. But what if Drake took that the wrong way? No. Safer to remain fully dressed...
    “I’ll get right to the point. I don’t care that you’re avoiding me, Nick; up until last week, we had little to say to each other. But your refusal to talk to Emily is hurting her.”
    “What are you talking about? Emily and I talk everyday--”
    “About business. At least that’s what’s happened whenever you bumped into her at the water cooler or in the cafeteria.” William paused, gazing down at his neatly trimmed fingernails before continuing. “She wonders if last week was a mistake, and thinks she might have lost you.”
    “Oh, hell.” Nick sat in the armchair, leaned back and shut his eyes. “Drake ... don’t you think this situation is kind of strange? I mean, here you sit doing Emily’s bidding, asking me to--to what, exactly?”
    “I’m not doing anyone’s bidding. I’m here on my own.”
    “Well, that’s even weirder.” Nick opened his eyes and turned his gaze on his uninvited guest. “If Emily has something to say to me, she can do as she always has and tell me herself. She doesn’t need you to assist her with that, counselor. If there’s one thing Em’s good at, it’s talking. When she wants something, she asks for it.”
    “As her friend--”
    “I’d say you’re a little more than that, Drake.”
    “As are you, Scott,” William shot back. “But she is a friend of mine, the sex being the frosting on the cake, as it were. I would have sworn you felt the same. Or has something changed?”
    A weight so heavy he couldn’t breathe knotted Nick’s chest as he struggled to keep his composure. This was just too fucked up for him to comprehend, and maybe that’s why he had difficulty wrapping his mind around it. This guy, his competition for all intents and purposes, was asking him to renew a relationship with the woman they were both sleeping with? Unbelievable. “Call me old-fashioned, Drake, but I just don’t know how to deal with the ... incident right now.”
    “I’d call you old-fashioned if it wasn’t complete bullshit.” William stood and approached the door. “Take me out of the equation and remember your feelings for Emily. Even as an outsider looking in, I thought I saw something real there.” He touched the doorknob, but Nick’s voice stopped him.
    “What’s in it for you?” he demanded, standing. He stalked forward, picking up a head of steam, fists clenched. “What the hell are you getting out of this?”
    William angled his head downward before meeting Nick’s gaze. “I’m a practical man. I love Emily and want nothing but her happiness. Last week, whether you wish to admit it or not, the three of us made a great team and formed a bond that freed Emily to be herself. I liked seeing that in her. I liked the way it made me feel.” He swung the door open and stepped out to the hall. “Hopefully, when you get over yourself, you’ll admit to liking the way it made you feel too.”
    And with that, the smug little bastard was gone. Nick slumped back in his chair, William’s words echoing inside his throbbing head. Amazingly, looking down at his lap, Nick saw that his head wasn’t the only thing throbbing at that moment.
    What the fuck is happening to me?

    * * * *

    Emily opened her door to William. “This is a nice surprise,” she said, self-consciously pulling her silk robe tighter. “Is this business or pleasure?”
    “I’ll let you decide,” William quipped. “Actually, I only need a few minutes.”
    “That’s cool.” Emily stepped back to allow him entry and padded through her apartment in her bare feet to