Trials and Tiaras (Untouchable #7) - Heather Long Page 0,47
I submitted the recordings and the demos. If I’m reading the information correctly, it’s for both of us, but there was something about nullifying if one or the other of us decided to quit. I don’t want her to be bound by something if I am. I know this is kind of pushing her out of her comfort zone. There was also some stuff about band work and we’re not a band, just a pair of singers.”
“I understand, Mr. Rhys. Entertainment law is not my specialty, however, contracts are. I will review this contract and reach out to a colleague if I believe you would be better matched with someone who specializes in these types of negotiations. That is one thing you need to remember, this is not the final offer. This is the first offer, the opening gambit. No matter how promising, you never take the first offer.”
That’s part of why I asked Archie about the contract. The email had been a shock. The attachment and the subsequent follow-up phone call had all been a lot. The one thing I hadn’t done though was agree to anything. As tempting as it had been, I wouldn’t sign anything without verifying every sentence, punctuation mark, and legally binding clause.
They’d included Frankie in the offer, but since I was the point of contact, they’d also asked for her information. Right. They’d get that when we were ready to give it to them and not a minute before. She had enough on her plate between the paternity drama and trying to hold it together for Archie.
My angel needed good news only, and while I fully intended to tell her, I also intended to control this particular flow of information. I refused to get her hopes up and watch them be dashed again.
By anyone.
“How soon were they expecting an answer?”
“I asked for a week.” Not just to think about it, but we were still trying to get through the latest bombshell, and I wanted Frankie to have time to bounce back from that.
“Excellent. I should be back in touch within forty-eight hours. If I do refer you to a secondary attorney, I will sit in on that meeting with you to help address any concerns you or Miss Curtis have.”
After going over a couple more details, we ended the call and I forwarded the email. The backdoor opened, and I glanced over as my mother stepped outside. Arms folded against the growing chill, she frowned. “Why are you hiding out here?”
“Not hiding,” I told her as I made sure the email and attachment sent before firing a message off to Arch thanking him and another to check on Frankie. Coop was hanging out with her tonight because Mom and Dad wanted to have dinner and we were still “discussing” my choices. “Just making use of some privacy. Dinner ready? Or did you need help?”
“No, it’s fine. Your dad is on his way home from the office. He ran late with a patient, so I have everything warm in the oven.”
Uh huh.
“No Frankie tonight?”
“No,” I said. “I want us all to be on the same page the next time she comes over for dinner.”
“Ian,” Mom sighed. “We’ve had this discussion. Your father and I aren’t going to treat her differently or badly.”
“You say that now,” I told her as I pocketed my phone and narrowed the distance. “But neither of you are happy with the decisions we’re making.”
“You’re all so young,” she said, and I could practically hear the words she didn’t tack on.
“I know,” I told her as I kissed her cheek and then motioned to the door. She didn’t have a coat on and was shivering. “You’ve told me several times.”
Scoffing, she slapped my arm but hurried inside. “You know what I mean.”
“I do,” I agreed as I walked over to the sink to wash my hands. “I have listened to every objection and point you’ve made.”
“And none of them are changing your mind.”
I glanced at her reflection in the window over the sink. “I love her, Mom.” It was that simple.
“Sweetheart, I know you do. You’ve loved her for a long time.”
Done with washing my hands, I dried them on the small hand towel and turned to face her. “But…?”
“But you’re young. Both of you. All of you. While I’m not necessarily a fan of unconventional relationships, there are enough challenges when there are only two people, much less five. This is too young to be making life altering decisions.”