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“Well, you can’t stay here.”

She’s back to nervous. “Why not? I’ll just say I’m working. I won’t bother anyone.”

“That’s not—” I sigh and try to soften my voice. It’s obvious Charli doesn’t like accepting help, but she needs some right now. I just have to figure out how to get her to accept it. “Please stay with me? It would make me feel better to know you have a bed and a door that actually locks.”

She frowns. “Why do you care?”

She doesn’t sound accusatory; she just sounds…confused.

I decide to go with the truth.

“Because I like you. And I would prefer that you have a safe place to stay. And because I have a big condo with an entire sectioned-off guest suite that would basically feel like staying in your own apartment.” I cough awkwardly. “You could just think of me as your temporary landlord this weekend.”

Charli props her hands on her hips. “Who is also my boss.”

I wave that off like a non-issue. “I’m not your boss. You’re a contractor. You’re your own boss.”

“And I’m working on your case,” she presses again. “Isn’t that a conflict of interest or something? I mean, what do HR guidelines say about hosting a sleepover with your contractor?”

“It’s not—” I swallow roughly in an attempt to clear the mental image of a sleepover with her. “I told you. It’s an entirely separate space. It’s not a party.” I shake my head. “And anyway, I think even HR would understand me helping out a human being in a time of need.”

It’s the wrong thing to say.

“I don’t need your help,” Charli bites out.

I can tell I’m losing her. I cannot leave her here.

My gaze darts around the conference room, searching for the answer. There has to be something⁠—

The cat.

“What did you say the cat’s name was?”

Charli’s brow furrows. “Excuse me?”

“What’s the cat’s name?” I repeat.

She hesitates. “Milton.”

I nod. “Milton. I like it.” Taking a hesitant step toward where he’s curled up on one of the chairs, I try not to make it obvious that I’m not a huge cat guy. But I’m pretty sure I blow my cover when Milton lifts his head before I reach him and stares at me in a way that has me stopping in my tracks.

Fully aware of my limits, I turn my focus toward Charli instead. “What about for Milton? Will you stay with me for his sake?”

Bingo.

I see in Charli’s eyes the moment my guess hits the intended target.

“Don’t make him stay in a tiny, boring room all weekend,” I beg. “He needs space. And air. And a litter box.” I have no idea what kind of litter box or space a cat needs, but whatever, I’ll figure it out.

She looks at Milton, the wheels clearly spinning in her head. “It’s just for the weekend?”

“Just for the weekend,” I confirm. “Just until your landlord figures out next steps, which I’m going to assume is…on Monday?”

Charli nods.

“There you go. On Monday, you can decide where you need to go after he does his assessments.” I reach for the takeout trash on the conference table to start cleaning up. “And after I figure out the best way to sue him,” I add in a grumble under my breath.

Charli makes a soft, amused sound. “You’re such a lawyer.”