Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
JENSEN
“It’s not you, Jensen. This CFO’s riding my ass like he gets off on it—calls, emails, budget reviews at seven a.m. He’s fucking relentless about cutting costs. I can’t afford you anymore.”
Priya takes a long sip of her negroni, still holding the glass as she adds, “It’s either cut ties with you or start firing people. Something’s gotta give.”
My eyes follow the glass as she sets it down. It doesn’t bother me that she has a drink and I don’t. It’s getting easier, and a flicker of pride pulses through me.
“Look, Priya, you know I don’t hand out freebies like candy.
But I cleared it with my team. You renew, and we’ll knock fifteen percent off if you sign before the end of the month.
” I pause, letting that land as I reach for my water.
“I’ll also upgrade your package to include predictive insights and assign you direct support from our Chicago hub.
That alone saves your ops team hours every week. ”
She’s baited me, and even though I knew she would, I came prepared to walk right into her trap.
Priya Anand is ruthless. Blunt, brilliant, and easily one of my favorite people to work with. I closed my first six-figure contract with her eight years ago, and every renewal since has come with a drink, a smile, a pricey steak, and a list of fresh demands.
She wouldn’t lie to me. I’ve built a deeply trusted relationship with her. When she says the new CFO is a tight-ass and she’s found a cheaper service, I believe her. We’re not the cheapest. But I also know she won’t get what she gets with me anywhere else—the best experience.
Her lips press tight together. “Fuck me.”
She’s also crude as hell—mid-forties, single, and capable of taking even the toughest New Yorkers by the balls.
I lean back in my chair, folding my arms. “Nah. You know I have a wife, Priya. Besides, it wouldn’t be good for business—you know, long term.”
She lets out a soft laugh. “See? That’s what I like about you. You’re loyal.” She pauses, takes a breath, and lets it out slow. “You always did know how to go for the kill.”
Shaking her head, she picks up her glass and brings it to her lips, a wry smile peeking through the rim. “Fine.” She sips her drink and sets it down. “I’ll think about it. Let me run some numbers when I get back to the office. I’ll get back to you by Monday.”
Yes. She doesn’t have to think about it. That’s just the game she plays. It’s a done deal.
“As always, you have my appreciation,” I reply.
“I didn’t say it was a sure thing.”
I take a bite of my steak. “I know.” But I say it with such arrogance, she just shakes her head, amusement flashing in her eyes.
She glances at her watch. “Shit. I gotta run. We good?”
I nod. “We’re good.”
She stands, pushing in her chair. “I’ll get back to you Monday. Let you know my decision.”
“Looking forward to another great year.”
“We’ll see.” She smirks as she turns and walks away, leaving half her steak untouched, but her drink demolished.
As soon as she’s out of sight, I lean back in my chair and blow out a breath. That’s a weight off my shoulders.
I pull out my phone. I’ve got a dozen messages and emails from work—but all I care about is the text from Alley.
Alley
Thank you for lunch. That was sweet. How’d your meeting with Priya go?
A grin stretches across my face. It feels like things are falling back into place—slowly, but surely.
You’re welcome. I just wish I could’ve eaten with you. Fed Priya right from my palm. She said she’d get back to me Monday, but she’s in.
I DoorDashed lunch to Alley at the hospital. Her dad’s been there ten days now. He’s stable, but she still barely leaves. Hopefully, he’ll get to go home sometime next week.
After I close my tab, I’m calling my sponsor, heading to an AA meeting, and then to the airport.
It’s Friday, and I’m planning to spend the weekend at Matt’s place in Chicago again.
I’m hoping Alley might let me take her out, maybe even get her to sleep in a real bed.
It doesn’t have to be mine, though that’d be fucking great.
But I’m not pushing. I know she needs time, and I’m letting her take the lead.
The server drops the check at the table. I sign, leave a fat tip, and silently pray no one at work takes a second look at this receipt.
I slip into my coat and head outside. I step onto the sidewalk and raise my hand for a cab, then freeze. My gaze locks on the bar across the street. Whiskey’s.
My lips twitch into a half-smile.
I pull my phone from my back pocket, snap a picture, and send it to Alley.
Remember our first date?
She texts back before I can even put my phone away.
Alley
Of course I do. That was the best first date I’d ever had.
I grin like an idiot.
I remember how determined I was to get you to fall for me. To be the one who made you smile. To hear your laugh again… To bring you home. I knew I wouldn’t sleep again until you were my girlfriend.
I pause, press send, then add—
It’s the same determination I feel now.
I don’t wait for a response. I might not get one after that. At least not right away.
I hail a cab and slide into the backseat, then turn toward the window, staring out as the city blurs past.
I just want the next eight hours to fly by.
I can’t fucking wait to see her.
“Come on, Michael and Stella will be here soon. You need to get out of here. Let’s go do something,” I say, practically begging.
I’d be fine doing nothing, as long as I’m with her. But she needs this—fresh air, a change of scenery—something that doesn’t involve antiseptics and shitty hospital food.
I also don’t want to be here when her brother shows up. I’m not quite ready for that encounter.
I’ve faced her dad, was even here when Leo and Adam stopped by, but big brother? I expect Michael to be the least forgiving of all.
No thank you.
Not yet.
She looks up from her Kindle—some smutty romance, I’m sure. It’s what she’s always reading.
Craig chimes in. “He’s right. You need a break. You’ve hardly left my side this whole time. Now go on. Do something for you.”
She feigns offense. “Rude.” Her eyes flick between her dad and me. With a resigned sigh, she finally gives in. “Fine. I’ll go.” She stands, pointing a finger at her dad. “But only because Michael’s on his way.”
“Good. Get out of here,” her dad says with a chuckle.
She bends down and kisses her dad’s cheek. “Call the nurses if you need anything before he gets here.”
“Jesus,” he mutters. “I’m a grown man. I can take care of myself.”
She shoots him a look as she turns to me, her brows raised. I meet her gaze with a grin.
I’m beyond excited to get her out of this damn hospital. Even if it’s just for a few hours.
“Alright. Let’s go,” she says, grabbing her coat.
I open the door and follow her to the elevator.
“Where are we going?” she asks as the doors slide open. “We already ate dinner and it’s zero degrees outside.”
“Don’t you worry about it.”
She raises an eyebrow, amused, but doesn’t press it. She knows I won’t tell her anyway. I’ve always loved planning things for her, letting her find out as the night unfolds.
It’s not like I have some elaborate plan.
I talked to Matt at the airport. He gave me a few ideas.
Places we could go just to talk. I figured we’d grab a coffee and drive.
Maybe find a park with a view. Hell, I’ll even take her to the art museum.
She loves that stuff. It’s not for me, but it’s warm, quiet, and good for conversation.
Maybe even hold her hand… if she’ll let me.
“Oh, you’ve got big plans for us, huh?” A hint of a smile tugs at her lips, and I fight every urge to kiss them. It’s like fighting gravity—a natural reaction. Meant to be. Fucking science. No matter how far we’ve fallen, sooner or later we’re bound to land. Together.
I force my gaze elsewhere as the elevator doors open. I’m a patient man. I waited a month before sleeping with Alley. Two years of being engaged. Five months clean. Those lips will touch mine again. She’s a magnet. And we’ve always been opposites.
I just have to hold out a little longer.
“I wouldn’t say big plans,” I say, turning right instead of left toward the exit. “This way.”
“Are we going to the cafeteria again?” Her brows pull together in a scowl, like she’s genuinely disappointed.
“No. Just grabbing coffee from the café for the drive.”
“Oh. Okay.” I glance over, catching her expression as it softens.
Alley loves warm drinks—coffee, hot chocolate, wassail. Especially on cold winter nights. It’s why we got the Nespresso. She wanted to be able to make lattes anytime. Curl up on the couch with a blanket and stare out the window.
We grab our drinks and head to her car.
“Keys,” I say once we’re in the parking garage.
I always drive when we’re together, and she doesn’t hesitate, just hands them over. Like nothing’s changed.
I open her door and she slides in, then circle around to the driver’s side. It’s cold as hell out, our breath visible in the air.
“Hurry,” she says through chattering teeth.
I slide in, turn the ignition, and crank the heat, silently praying it warms up fast.
She hugs her drink to her chest like it’s her own personal space heater, and I tap one of the locations Matt sent me, heading north toward Montrose Harbor.
Alley notices and lets out a soft laugh. I barely catch it over the blast of the heater. Then she goes quiet for a second—long enough for me to wonder why. “Montrose Harbor?” she finally says, glancing sideways. “You trying to get laid?”
I chuckle, glancing at her as I pull out of the parking space. “Nah. Why would I want that? You’re just my hot wife I’ve been dying to kiss for months.”
She glances over, lips pressed tight together, dimple popping. I’ve seen that look before, holding back a smile, teasing… happy. She’s softening. And fuck, I want to throw the car in park and pull her onto my lap. I grip the steering wheel tighter. Soon—I hope.