Chapter 2
Leo
“Itold you I haven’t planned anything too wild.
” I grin down at the phone as I walk through the glass doors of the office, a tray of coffees in hand.
“I swear, Hunter.” My best friend is getting married in a few weeks, and I couldn’t be happier for him.
He and Jade had a little bit of a rocky start, but you could tell that they were made for each other.
“It’s going to be wholesome and very dignified.
” Nodding at Dexter at reception, I move to the elevator to head up to my office.
“You’ve planned a wholesome and dignified bachelor party in Vegas?”
“I don’t appreciate your tone. Of course it’s wholesome. What other type of trip would you have?”
“Leo Brent, I know you and how your brain works.” He sighs. “Please just tell me I’m actually going to make it home from this trip.”
“Of course. What do you take me for?” I press the button for my floor. “This is a joint bachelor and bachelorette party. I've been planning this with Lily. What could possibly go wrong?
“A lot. Jesus, that woman is worse than you.”
He isn’t wrong. Lily Chambers is Jade’s best friend, and getting to know her over these past few months while planning this trip has been eye-opening.
“Well, Jade picked her as her maid of honor, and you rightfully picked me as your best man, so I think whatever we have planned is actually on you.” The elevator stops, and I walk out onto my floor, smiling at the reception staff here and making my way to my office.
“How the hell did you work that out?”
“You could have picked Deacon or Noah for this, but you picked me, your best friend and party planner extraordinaire. So relax and let me work my magic.”
“Relaxing is the last thing you have planned for this trip.” He groans.
“You worry too much. I’ll fill you in tonight on what you’ll need to bring.”
“Fine, but seriously, Leo, if you've planned something ridiculous like handcuffing me to an Elvis impersonator all weekend, I will shave your head.”
“You wouldn't dare. My luscious locks are sacred.” I gasp, running my fingers through my soft waves.
“I’ll see you later.” He laughs as he hangs up, and I place my phone back in my pocket.
I miss working with him since he left to run his nonprofit, but he’s been so much more relaxed and happy.
That could also have something to do with the tiny blonde who walked into his office all those months ago and flipped his whole world upside down.
But either way, I’m happy for him. I’ve been best friends with Hunter my whole life.
His dad is friends with my dad, and as an only child, I clung onto him like the brother I always wanted.
I followed him to London to be his CFO when his dad handed over the reins—fitting since my dad was his dad’s CFO.
History was repeating itself, but then Hunter decided he wanted to give back and set up Bright Lights, a nonprofit for underprivileged children who don’t have the opportunities at their fingertips like we did.
So he stepped down as CEO, and Ria, his big sister, stepped into his shoes.
Ria is strong, determined, an absolute demon in the boardroom, and has the respect of everyone she leads. She is every bit her father’s daughter.
Grace is bouncing out of Ria’s office when I reach the executive suites. “Morning, Sunshine.” My tone is cheery as I place Grace’s coffee on her desk.
“Morning, Chuckles. White-chocolate mocha with vanilla syrup?” She nods at the to-go cup.
“For the life of me, I don’t get how you can drink that cup of sugar. It’s practically diabetes in a cup.”
“You know I love to live life on the edge.” She takes a big sip, closing her eyes in delight. “Heaven.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
Opening her eyes, she throws me a devilish grin. “The best way to live, don't you think?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely. Now, is the boss in?”
“Indeed she is, and I need to sort out a date. I can see it now—Ria’s love life is about to change for the better.”
“Huh?”
Ria’s starting to date again? She swore off all men since that dick Ezra screwed her over.
“I’ll let her tell you. Now shoo, I need to start my day.” She waves me off, and holding up my hands and coffee tray in surrender, I back away from her desk and into Ria’s office.
“Morning Ri Ri.” I place her chai latte on her desk as she rolls her eyes at my use of the nickname I gave her years ago.
“I told you to stop calling me that. I’m your boss; it’s not very professional.”
“I only do it in private,” I say, sitting on her navy couch, spreading my arms along the back.
“You’re infuriating.” She sighs, rubbing her temples. “But thank you for the coffee.”
“Of course. Now what’s this Grace tells me about a date?”
“Oh for God’s sake, it’s not a date. Grace has it in her head that I’ve had my meet-cute.”
“What the fuck is a meet-cute?”
“It’s when the two main characters in a book meet for the first time.”
“Um, okaay…”
“You look confused.” She stands and rounds her desk before she cocks her hip and leans against it, arms crossed. “You know those things people read, full of stories? They’re books.”
“Alright, Ri Ri, I know what a book is.” I give her a cocky smile.
“You’ve been spending too much time with Lily and Grace.
” Secretly, I love how free she has become since moving over here.
It’s like the new scenery has allowed her to wipe away everything that prick Ezra did to her, and she can finally be herself again.
“Anyway, I got an email from Cole West. That’s what Grace is going on about. She has to arrange a meeting with him for me.”
“The Cole West of West Wing Hotels?” Sitting forward, I rest my elbows on my knees. This is not what I was expecting her to say.
“Is that his full title? That’s how Grace referred to him—well, not exactly. She had a few other words to describe him.” She shakes her head.
“I bet she did.” I huff out a laugh.
Cole West is England’s most eligible billionaire.
Women flock to him, and it’s no wonder with his looks and charm.
I’ve seen him a few times in the clubs in Mayfair, and the man has magnetism, but what does he want with Ria?
That familiar feeling in the pit of my stomach that always appears when Ria talks about her love life hits me.
It’s like someone is constantly punching me from the inside, a feeling I’ve come to mask well with a smile and humor.
That’s right—this mug is head over heels in love with his best friend’s older sister and has been for as long as I can remember.
There isn’t a memory that doesn’t involve her or the Stone family, and even before I knew what love was, I knew she was special.
Ocean-blue eyes have flooded my dreams since they locked on mine, and they refuse to unhook themselves.
Every year they bury themselves deeper into my thoughts until she is all I think about, but I fight the war daily that she is off-limits.
Hunter is more than my best friend. He’s like a brother to me, and I know that if I were to act on these feelings, it would cause a rift between us.
A rift I wouldn’t cope well with, as without Hunter grounding me with his level head and common sense, I would not be where I am today.
He helps me focus and has allowed me to reach my potential.
I was diagnosed with ADHD as a child, and my head is often a little messy, but Hunter has always been good—even as a child—at helping me clear through the mess.
He gets me. He is my sounding board, my voice of reason.
So, if I acted on my feelings for his sister and messed it up, I’d be lost without him.
Also, why would someone like Ria want to be with someone as chaotic as me?
We are the ultimate chalk and cheese. She is hyperfocused, organized, and has a plan for absolutely everything.
But me? I am what you might call a “pantser.” I fly by the seat of my pants most days and am extremely impulsive.
I’m not her type. So, I’ll love her from afar and hide my battle scars with humor.
“So come on then, why does Grace’s new prey want a meeting with my Ri Ri?”
“How my brother copes with you on a daily basis, I’ll never know.” An amused smile crosses her face as she continues. “You’re exhausting to be around.”
“I’m exciting to be around,” I correct.
“Sure you are.” She shakes her head but gives me a warm smile that makes my stupid, pathetic heart thump harder in my chest. “He wants a meeting because he needs someone to look after his portfolio.”
“You’re kidding?” She shakes her head, a huge smile on her perfect face. “That’s… Ri, that's an amazing opportunity.” I jump up, and without thinking, I lift her up, spinning her around her office, the way I have since I became tall enough to do it.
“Put me down,” she protests, grinning.
Placing her back on her feet, I rest my hands on her shoulders and smile down at her. Sharp eyes stare back at me, filled with hope and determination. And fuck, she looks so damn beautiful it hurts. “I’m proud of you, Ri Ri.”
“I haven’t done anything yet.”
“That look in your eyes is one I’ve seen many times. You aren't letting this pass you by. This contract is as good as yours.”