Chapter 16

Linny

“I know I’m not who you were expecting, but I hope I’ll do.”

I smile at Jax Walker.

I left my office as soon as the meeting with West and Trent was over. I promised Ivy that I’d drop by her store, Whispers of Grace, to discuss the fall promotional campaign that we’re set to launch next month.

“Ivy isn’t here?” I ask the obvious question.

“Can I tell you a secret?” He leans in closer to me even though the only other person in the store is the assistant manager. She’s in the stock room picking out new items for the bracelet display case.

“I’m an amazing secret keeper,” I say honestly, holding up my right hand as if I’m taking a vow.

“My birthday is next month and my beautiful wife is planning a surprise party.” His lips lift in a grin. “Right now she’s at the bakery down the street ordering the cake. When she gets back, she’ll tell you that she was at the café around the corner grabbing iced coffees for all of us.”

I laugh lightly. “How do you know she’s planning a surprise party?”

“Ivy is many things, but discreet isn’t one of them.” He chuckles. “I overheard her talking to my brother on the phone about it.”

I’ve envied his relationship with his wife since I met them. He’s her biggest supporter. Even though she runs the jewelry design business, he’s always nearby if she needs guidance or another opinion.

He defers to her when it comes to every decision about this store and the others that she’s opened. Jewelry may be Ivy’s passion, but the man standing in front of me is her everything.

“I’m expecting you to act surprised when you’re invited.” He arches a dark brow. “Don’t let me down, Linny.”

“I’m not sure…I don’t know if…” I fumble with what to say.

We have an amazing working relationship, but I can’t tell if Ivy considers me more than a business contact or an acquaintance.

She’s several years older than me and our shared interest is the ongoing success of her jewelry business.

I may have had dinner at their apartment yesterday, but that doesn’t mean that she counts me as a friend.

“You’re not sure if your name is on the guest list?” He finishes my question for me.

I nod.

“You remind Ivy a lot of herself.” He brushes a piece of lint from the front of his navy blue suit jacket. “You’re driven and determined. You won’t take no for an answer and you haven’t let this city change who you are.”

I can’t say that all of that is true, but I am committed to taking over for my father once he retires. Ivy knows that and she’s been encouraging me to stay on course and keep my focus on my end goal.

“I admire her,” I admit on a sigh. “She’s one of the most successful women I’ve ever met.”

“She knew what she wanted and she kept after it until it was in her grasp.” He drags his left hand through his dark brown hair. My gaze catches on the simple band on his ring finger. “I’m grateful every day that she wanted me.”

I look up and into his face. “The two of you are relationship goals.”

“Relationship goals?”

I tilt my head to the side. “It’s inspiring to see you together. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want a love like you share.”

He nods slowly. “I’m a lucky man. I’m happier than I deserve to be.”

I flash a smile. “The rest of us can only hope that one day we’ll be as happy.”

“I’ll let you in on another secret.” He narrows his gaze. “Technically, it’s more of a heads-up.”

“A heads-up?” I inhale deeply, trying to calm my nerves. I’ve been trembling since I left my office. Seeing West today shook my entire world. Staying focused on work is the only way I know how to cope.

If I think about the way he was looking at me in the conference room, I’ll come undone and reach out to him. I can’t do that. There’s no way in hell Mitchell can ever find out that I know West on a very personal level.

My dad will have no choice but to pull me off the Rizon Vodka campaign and hand it over to my stepbrother.

I need that account to help prove that I’m a better pick for CEO than Mitchell will ever be.

Jax nods. “Ivy’s been dying to set you up with a friend of ours.”

I should be used to it by now. Harmony isn’t the only woman in my life who has taken it upon herself to find my soul mate. My sister, Bethy, has done the same thing for years. Living halfway across the world in Australia hasn’t stopped her. She still texts me pictures of single men that her friends in Manhattan know in the hope that I’ll agree to meet one.

I haven’t yet.

“I’m kind of seeing someone,” I say because I don’t want to mix business with pleasure.

If I agree to meet up with their friend and we don’t hit it off, I’ll run the risk of offending Ivy, Jax or both of them.

It’s not worth it.

“What’s his name?”

West. A part of me is tempted to say that just so I can hear his name coming from my lips again.

“Roland.” I opt for the safe choice since I’ll be seeing him again in a few days and it’s not a total lie.

“The four of us should do dinner.” He glances over his shoulder at the door to the store. “As soon as Ivy gets back, we’ll set something up.”

Dammit.

I think I just arranged my third date with Roland Elgar, even though the man I can’t stop thinking about is Jeremy Weston.