him about her meeting with Palmer Green from Spectrum. “Congratulations?”
Cade reached into his briefcase and pulled out a bottle of champagne. “From what Charlie told me about your big job offer, I figured it was my turn to buy.”
Brooke’s hands fells to her sides. “Charlie told you about the job offer?” How the heck did he know? Then she realized that he must’ve heard about it from Ford.
“Sure did,” Cade said, taking the bottle into her kitchen. “I ran into him at Daley Plaza yesterday, during my lunch break.”
Brooke followed him into the kitchen, feeling horrible after hearing that. “Cade . . . I didn’t mean for you to learn about it that way. I just got the offer on Monday, and I wanted to tell you in person. That’s why I asked to see you tonight.”
He gave her an odd look as he grabbed a corkscrew out of a drawer and went to work on the champagne bottle. “It’s no problem. You don’t owe me an explanation. Sure, I was surprised to suddenly hear you might be moving to Charlotte, but I’m really happy for you, Brooke.”
He popped open the champagne, filled two glasses, and handed one over to her.
Brooke took the champagne flute. She’d been hoping Cade would understand what a great opportunity this job offer was for her, but she hadn’t expected him to be this cheery about it.
“So. What are we toasting to?” he asked, raising his glass in celebration.
She paused before answering, remembering how she’d said the exact same words to him just two weeks ago, when he’d found out he would be the acting U.S. attorney. They’d had a good time together that night. Actually, they’d had a lot of good times together.
Her eyes met Cade’s over their champagne glasses. For the briefest moment, she could’ve sworn she saw his smile falter, and she wondered if he was thinking the same thing.
But then the moment was gone, and his voice turned teasing. “You’re speechless, Ms. Parker. It must be something really good, then.”
“The CEO of Spectrum North America offered me the position of executive vice president of sales and business development.”
“That’s incredible.” Cade tipped his glass to her. “Congratulations. It couldn’t have happened to a more-deserving lawyer. Albeit one who once basically told me to stick my obstruction of justice threats up my ass.”
Brooke laughed at that, and took a sip. This was how it should be, she reminded herself. No need for an angsty good-bye—they would end things on a good note, joking around and teasing.
Then she pulled her glass away, and when their eyes caught again she remembered what had happened the last time they’d toasted with champagne.
How is it?
Not bad. Have a taste.
I think I will.
“So tell me more about the job,” Cade said.
Brooke blinked. Right. The job. “I don’t have all the details about the position yet—the CEO wants me to fly down to Charlotte to meet with the rest of the executive team. But we discussed the compensation package, and it’s—wow.” She took a deep breath and exhaled, still unable to believe it.
“That good, huh?” Cade said.
“That good.”
His next question got right to the heart of the matter. “Do you think you’ll take it?”
Brooke rested one hip against the counter. “I don’t know. I’ve been at Sterling for less than two years, and I’ve been so focused on developing the company that I hadn’t given any thought to leaving. And I love the work I do there.”
“But?”
“But . . . I’m not sure I can say ‘no’ to an opportunity like this. Spectrum is an eleven-billion-dollar corporation. To be an executive VP there would really launch my career into a different stratosphere.” She paused. “It just seems weird, though, the idea of leaving Chicago.”
They both fell silent at that.
Brooke set down her glass. “Speaking of which, I was thinking we should probably talk. About what this means for us.”
Cade set his glass down as well. “I had the same thought. Since there’s a good chance you’ll be leaving, I was wondering if we should cool things down.”
Brooke felt a pang of disappointment in her chest. Which was completely silly, obviously, since that was exactly what she wanted, too. “I was just about to say that.”
“You were?” He spoke quickly. “I mean—good. Glad we’re on the same page. Better to end things now, before the situation gets, you know, complicated.”
Brooke nodded, quickly regrouping based on his reaction. “Right. Of course.” Seemingly, she and Cade had not been on the same