Chapter 44

Linny

Harmony: It’s not even close to April 1 st , Linny. The joke is on you.

I look down at my phone and laugh at the text message Harmony just sent me.

Her class let out a few minutes ago, so we’ve been texting back and forth playing catch up.

I just confessed that I’ve been seeing the man I sat next to on the airplane on our way to Las Vegas.

Linny: I’ll invite him to brunch the next time you come into the city.

Her response is quick and typical Harmony.
Harmony: Make it an early dinner and I can be there within the hour.

I sigh, wishing that I could introduce her to West today. I want him to be a part of my life beyond my apartment and the conference room.

Linny: I’m actually meeting him (for work) in a few minutes, but I’ll introduce you two soon.

Harmony: I’ll hold you to that. I’m happy for you! Really happy!

“Linny, let’s go,” Mitchell calls from my open office door. “Jeremy and Trent will be here any minute.”

I grab a notepad and pen from my desk and stand. “Where’s my dad?”

He glances down at his watch. “We had lunch with the suits from Vrite Footwear. Dave’s still with them.”

Dammit.

I’m irritated, but mostly I’m disheartened. I told my dad that I had a surprise presentation for Rizon today. He knew that this was important to me.

“Dave ordered a bottle of the best champagne to toast to my hard work.” He raises his arm in the arm and stumbles. “I’ve never seen him more proud.”

I narrow my eyes. “How much champagne did you have?”

Leaning forward, he shrugs both shoulders. “A few glasses.”
“I don’t need you in the meeting, Mitchell.” I round my desk. “Go home and sleep it off.”

“No can do, Lincoln.” He waves a finger in the air. “Dave sent me to watch the presentation in his place. I have to report back to him.”

Disappointment and anger wage war inside of me. This isn’t how I envisioned this afternoon, but my issues with Mitchell and my dad need to take a backseat to work.

“You’ll sit quietly and listen.” I push a strand of hair behind my ear. “Don’t mess this up for me.”

He doesn’t say a word as he follows me out of my office.

***

I rub my hand over my neck. I’ve been able to keep my composure around West but today feels different.

Today he’s dressed just as he was the first time I saw him on the airplane in the same gray suit and black dress shirt.

The sunglasses he had on that morning were perched on his nose when he entered the conference room.

He slid them off before greeting Mitchell and me.

I glance over at the poster board that’s sitting on an easel at the head of the conference table. Right now, a large white sheet is covering it.

It’s a last minute addition to the vanilla vodka campaign.

I steal a quick look across the table at West. “Are you ready?”

Trent’s gaze jumps up from his phone to settle on my face. He looks to his left at Jeremy. “I’m dying to find out what’s under that sheet. Aren’t you, boss?”

West nods. “Go ahead, Linny.”

I take a deep breath. “As you both know, our aim with this campaign has always been to attract the attention of your loyal customers as well as potential new customers.”

West leans back in his chair. “You’ve done a remarkable job of doing both, Linny. The contest is in full gear. The response has exceeded my expectations.”

“Mine too,” Trent adds.

I smile. “I hope that you’ll see the value in what I’m about to suggest.”

Mitchell clears his throat but doesn’t say a word. Both West and Trent look in his direction, but I keep my eyes trained on the notes I wrote down before the meeting.

“To further the reach of the Rizon brand, it’s essential to create a buzz that can’t be ignored.” I move to stand. “Getting the Rizon logo and product in front of as many people as possible is our ultimate goal.”

West nods. “I can’t argue with that.”

“Your financial investment in my new idea will be substantial, but you’ll be rewarded ten-fold.” I finger the edge of the sheet. “I present to you, The Fire Tour by Asher Foster, sponsored by Rizon Vanilla Vodka.”

I tug on the edge of the sheet to reveal the poster board. It’s a mock-up I had made of a promotional poster that will be used to market Asher Foster’s next tour.

The man is a worldwide rock star who is set to launch his North American tour two months from now. The Rizon logo is prominently displayed on the poster, along with a banner at the bottom that states that Rizon is the official vodka of the tour.

“Asher Foster?” West is on his feet. “Is this an idea, Linny, or are we talking negotiations are pending and this is a potential reality?”

I drop the sheet on the floor. “I’ve spoken to Asher myself. He’s on board. He’s working out the details with his management team and the touring company, but it’s as good as done, provided you can come to an agreement on terms.”

West moves toward me but stops himself before he rounds the conference table. “Holy fuck. This is incredible.”

Trent stands, his gaze locked on the poster board. “I’m in awe. I don’t know what to say.”

I feel a rush of pride. I wish my dad were here to see this, but he’ll hear about it. Not only from Mitchell, but I’m confident West and Trent will sing my praises to him.

Mitchell clears his throat again, this time rising to his feet. He wobbles in place. “Linny?”

I look over at him. My stomach drops at the sight of the smirk on his face.

He taps his finger against his forehead. “I just remembered something.”

Whatever it is, it can’t be related to my presentation. “Mitchell, why don’t you head to your office? I’ll text Hal to get you some coffee.”

He waves his hand in the air as if he’s swatting my words away. “Didn’t you meet your husband at an Asher Foster concert in Las Vegas? That’s where you met Corbin, right?”

I stare at him in disbelief. He doesn’t know about Corbin. The only person who does is my dad.

“Wait. That’s wrong. It wasn’t an Asher Foster concert. It was definitely a rock concert though.” His words are slow and slurred.

I open my mouth to say something, but I’m at a loss.

“That was the night you eloped, right?” He rubs his bloodshot eyes. “You two hooked up after the concert and then made it official in one of those little wedding chapels on the strip.”

My gaze shoots to Jeremy, but his face is impassive. I can’t read anything in his expression.

“Mitchell,” I manage to get his name out, but can’t form another word.

“This is why our dad won’t let her go back to Vegas.” Mitchell laughs, his hand resting on his stomach. “She loses control if she drinks too much and he has to clean up her mess. You need to keep the vodka as far away from her as you can.”

I grip the side of the table for support as I watch Jeremy walk out of the room.

“She loses control if she drinks too much?” Trent looks at Mitchell. “You’re as drunk as the day is long, bud.”

Mitchell drops back into his chair.

Trent turns to me. “Don’t let him bother you. The only thing Jeremy and I care about is the presentation and you killed that. I’ll reach out tomorrow to get all the details.”

I look up and into his face.

“You surprised the hell out of us both today.” He smiles at me. “You should be proud of yourself.”

I don’t feel anything but loss. The man I’m falling in love with just walked out of this room and I don’t know if I’ll ever see him again.