Bypassing Misty, I storm through to the office where day traders tap away at their cubicles. Not one of them bothers to look up at me, all engrossed in their work.

Now that I’ve quit this job, I’m back to square one. The one perfect trade I made Mason doesn’t even fucking know about, so I can’t even add it to my resume. My career in finance has come to an abrupt end. That’ll sure make Mom proud.

Blinded by rage, I weave through the workstations, my hackles rising with every ping or telephone ringing. I’ve wanted to be a part of this world for as long as I can remember, but now, I just want to get home.

Back to my apartment.

The exit sign looms, a glowing beacon of freedom. I’ll take the back stairs to avoid the elevator. The workout will do me some good, give me a chance to clear my head and figure out next steps.

“Olivia! Wait!”

Mason’s voice freezes me in place. I can feel the weight of more than a dozen eyes on me. My spine stiffens. I don’t want to turn around, but his presence pulls at me like a marionette.

Slowly, I pivot, and gasp when I see him running toward me. His shirt is wrinkled, untucked. There’s a look if desperation in his eyes. It’s like he’s come unhinged.

My pulse spikes.

Every cell in my body screams at me to run away, but I’m paralyzed under his stare.

“Liv, listen,” he says, breathless. In my peripheral vision I can see that no one is working, as though his voice has somehow frozen time. Hands hover over keyboards, cell phones linger mid-air, jaws hang open. His voice cuts through the deafening silence. “You saved this company.” He comes right up to me, closes his hand around my wrist. “I went through my trading history,” he says, “and it’s so damn obvious that I was the one who fucked up. I could have lost the company untold millions of dollars. But you intervened and you saved my ass.”

“I tried to tell you,” I say, so quiet it’s almost a whisper. I’m not comfortable under the spotlight, and a room full of shocked employees hearing every word we say to each other.

“I was blind,” he says. He lifts my chin so that our eyes connect. “But my eyes are wide open now, Liv. I wasn’t able to see, to allow for what was happening right under my nose. But the truth is, Liv, I love you. I’m in love with you.”

My head goes fuzzy. “Love?”

I blink, positive that he’s about to disappear, that this is all just a figment of my imagination, some final cruel joke. But he’s not gone. He’s moved closer, and there’s a tenderness in his expression that makes my knees buckle.

“It’s true,” he says, taking my shaking hands in his. “I need you. The industry needs you. I was wrong to say you’re not cut out to be a day trader.” He gives me that boyish grin that ratchets up my pulse. “You’ve got guts, Liv. And you deserve a position here—or at any firm of your choosing. I’ll make that happen.”

My throat goes dry.

“You should have the best,” he says. He bites his lip and then sighs. “And that probably isn’t working for me. I haven’t treated you right. So, you name it. Any top firm in the world, and I’ll secure you a position.”

Tears spring to my eyes. “You’d really let me work somewhere else?”

“If it means keeping you—forever—then yes,” he says. “Daylight Holdings will make that sacrifice.”

My stomach flips with indecision. A position at this firm is tempting, but even with this confession, I’ll always question my instincts. I need to cut myself loose—from Daylight Holdings at least—if I’m to forge my own career path. Regardless of what happens next with our relationship, that hasn’t changed.

“Okay, I accept,” I say, still nervous this is all a big joke. “I’d like to work at Venture Capital…”

His nose scrunches. “With those yahoos?”

“They’re in New York,” I say pointedly, which means Mason and I still have a chance.

His eyebrow lifts. “What I meant to say is, that’s a great firm. I’ll make the call.”

There’s a beat of awkward silence, as I try to process everything that’s happening. We’re still in the middle of the room, with all of the junior day traders staring us as if we’re animals on exhibit at the zoo. I lick my lips. Mason drops his gaze.

“I’d like to kiss you, now, if that’s okay.”

My throat swells. “Here?”

He nods.

“Okay.”

It’s almost a shock when his lips press against mine. I close my eyes automatically, but when I open them, I find his open too. Blue, and placid, they’re level and intent, glassy with passion. I try to pull back, aware that people surround us. Mason’s hands slide around to cradle my head as he pulls me close.

His tongue flicks between my lips and my body ignites in response. I reach up to tangle my hands in his hair, melting as his teeth grate against my swollen lips. When at last, we finally pull apart, I sway, knees buckling, eyes brimming with tears.

I have never been happier and more in love.