Chapter 57

Jay

 

 

 

It had been two months since Jay decided to move forward with the new business, and they were finally having the grand opening party in the new building. The lobby was filled with all the authors that had been signed in the last few weeks, and everyone was filled with excitement.

 

Jay walked from one table to the next speaking with new clients while praising their work. He knew each new signee personally, and had read a piece of their work, as instructed by Kasey.

 

Her vision was about much more than strategy and Jay was happy to learn as much as he could. She’d turned one of the worst moments of his life into an absolute highlight, and the crowd in the lobby was all a sign of her success.

 

The two of them had grown even closer, and at this point Jay wasn’t sure if she lived with him, but he liked to think she did. She stayed over more nights than not, and waking up to her was a sure sign that he would have a great day.

 

It was the first time in his life that his professional life took a backseat to his personal pursuits. While he was thrilled at the success of the new division of Passions, it didn’t define him. In the past, Jay was his company and his company was him. There was no separation between the two and he staked his worth on how well business was on any given day.

 

Kasey had taught him that there was so much more to life, and he treasured her for all of the happiness she brought along. Glancing from one end of the party to the next, he looked over the crowd for her beautiful face, but didn’t see her. They’d agreed to meet at the party because she needed to get ready at her place after leaving the salon.

 

“Jay!” Mitchell called out, his hand high in the air.

 

Thankfully, everything had fully gone back to normal with the two friends and they were closer than ever. In a way, building the new division was a great thing for them—taking them back to the beginning of their friendship, when they were building Passions Publishing in college.

 

There was something so exciting and alluring about the start of a project, and Jay and Mitchell got lost in the details to get this new business off the ground.

 

“Hey!” Jay smiled as he greeted Mitchell, who was holding two glasses of champagne, offering one to his best friend. “Thanks.”

 

“This really is something, isn’t it?” Mitchell asked, looking around the lobby. He had overseen the décor of the building for weeks, and now that it was all on display, he felt the accomplishment.

 

“It is. You did a great job.” Jay commended him with a slap on the shoulder.

 

“You know, I’ve seen the latest reports and there are already spikes in the numbers. Despite how much time and effort we put into the other two publishing houses, it seems the new division is going to be more successful than the both of them.” Mitchell shook his head before taking a sip from his glass.

 

It was true, and shocking. Kasey’s idea was the best thing that had ever happened to the company, marveling both the lawyers and the accountants. Jay had decided not to continue fighting Renee for reneging on the deal, and instead decided to throw all his energy back into the companies he had and the one he was building.

 

“I don’t think anyone can believe it,” Jay smiled, lifting his glass to cheers.

 

“I bet Kasey can. She has always believed, even when I didn’t. This was her brain child, and it’s rescued us while also catapulting us to new levels,” Mitchell sung her praises once again. It seemed he could not forgive himself for ever doubting Kasey, taking every opportunity to give her the credit she deserved.

 

“You don’t have to beat yourself up forever, Mitch. She knows you’re onboard,” Jay teased him. Kasey wasn’t the type of woman to hold a grudge, and she never showed any kind of distaste for Mitchell. In fact, she appreciated his doubt, because it made her work that much harder to prove him wrong.

 

“She’s a special woman, Jay. You take good care of her,” Mitchell glared into Jay’s eyes, then smiled.

 

Over the past weeks, Mitchell had developed a new level of respect for Kasey. He took on a big brother type of role with her, teaching her all about the balance between strategy and integrity. With Kasey, things were black or white, but in business there had to be some gray. Mitchell was helping her learn to navigate through that. Seeing them work together was a wonderful sight to Jay since they were the two most important people in his life.

 

“I will, Mitch. I promise,” Jay smiled, returning Mitchell’s glare.

 

“And here’s the woman of the hour,” Mitchell motioned behind Jay, who turned to see Kasey, dressed in a black dress that took his breath away.

 

The top was fitted, cupping her breasts like he wanted to, and then the skirt flared out with delicate pleats. Her hair was styled in big waves, which flowed down her back, and she wore red lipstick to match the lacquer on her fingers and toes.

 

“You look stunning,” Jay pulled her into his arms, suddenly grateful she didn’t get ready at his place, because they might not have made it to the party.

 

“Hi, baby,” she touched the side of his face with her palm, and he leaned into her touch.

 

“Mitchell, you’ve outdone yourself,” she turned her attention to Jay’s business partner.

 

“I’m glad you approve,” he held his hands up, feigning modesty.

 

“Champagne?” A waiter appeared with a full tray.

 

“Yes! A toast!” Mitchell announced.

 

Jay took two glasses, handing one to Kasey as Mitchell took one glass for himself.

 

“To us!” She announced holding her glass high in the air before either of the men could give her the sole credit that she deserved.

 

“To us!” Jay repeated, shrugging his shoulders towards Mitchell, who obviously felt the same need to commend Kasey.

 

The three raised their glasses and sipped on the champagne while catching up on the details about the party. Jay was to give a speech at one point, and there were a few authors Kasey wanted to introduce to the men who were invited despite not being a part of the company. Jay smiled noticing her tactic. Anyone at the party would undoubtedly want to join the company, and Kasey was using that to her advantage.

 

“I want to show you something,” Jay whispered in Kasey’s ear while standing behind her.

 

“I’ve got to check on some things,” Mitchell announced, taking the hint.

 

“What do you have to show me?” She spun around to look into his eyes. “You look very handsome,” she touched the lapel of his suit.

 

“Thank you. Come with me,” he took her hand in his, navigating through the party.

 

Every few steps, someone stopped them to discuss an opportunity, or to remark on how impressive the new building was. Finally, they reached the elevators, their fingers still interlocked. Jay had decided that their relationship meant too much to him to hide it in the office. He wanted everyone to know how he felt about Kasey, and thankfully she had not objected.

 

“Where are we going?” she asked, when they walked into the elevator.

 

Jay pushed the button for the top floor and winked in her direction. “It’s a surprise.”

 

Stepping behind her, he wrapped his arms around her thin waist, lowering to sprinkle soft kisses on her exposed shoulders. He had just made his way to her collar bone when the elevator doors opened.

 

Jay walked forward, his arms still wrapped around her, so he had to walk awkwardly, but it was worth it to keep her in his arms.

 

“Wow! This looks amazing,” Kasey looked around the office area. Mitchell had in fact done a great job with the interior designer. Everything looked luxurious and modern, just how Jay wanted it.

 

“Wait until you see the best part,” he kissed her neck, walking towards the back corner of the office.

 

Everything was clean and ready for business, although the employees would not report to work for two days. It was empty, but it felt far from abandoned. Jay pushed the door to the corner room open, revealing an immaculately decorated office.

 

There were floor to ceiling windows, with an exceptional view of the city, which was lit up perfectly. The desk had a glass top, just like the coffee table in the middle of the room. A large television hung on the back wall, with a bookshelf and dry bar against the opposite wall.

 

“This is incredible.” She looked around as Jay released her from his hold. Walking from one end to the next, she took in the view before focusing on the details.

 

“You like it?” Jay asked with a smile.

 

“Of course. Who wouldn’t? But, why are you going to leave the wooden desk?” she asked.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“I always liked that desk. Why aren’t you bringing it over to your new office?”

 

Jay chuckled before responding, “This isn’t my office, Kasey. It’s yours?”

 

She turned to him with her mouth open in shock as a huge grin spread across his. He’d done well, he could see it all over her face.

 

“Are you kidding me? Jay, I love the office, I really do. But, I don’t deserve this, and I don’t want the staff to think I’m in the corner office because of our relationship. I mean, what would the executives think?” She shook her head.

 

Jay walked to her, cupping the nape of her neck as he pulled her close. “We’ve already discussed it, baby. It was a unanimous decision. Everyone agrees that this company is our greatest success, and none of it would have been possible without you.”

 

Kasey inhaled sharply. “Jay. No,” she shook her head, unable to accept that this would be her new office.

 

“Yes. You mean everything to me, and so I would give you everything in this world. But, this isn’t my doing. This is from the company because you’ve earned it.”

 

“The corner office?” she shrieked.

 

“The corner office,” he smiled, leaning down to kiss her so softly he barely felt her lips. “I love you, Kasey Wright.”

 

Her eyes lit up and she offered her lips, which Jay graciously accepted, kissing her slow and long, as his tongue explored her mouth like it was new territory. She moaned against his tongue, and his reflexes took over, lifting her as his hand slipped beneath her dress.

 

“Make love to me,” she whispered, and Jay groaned with satisfaction.