Chapter 13
Thirteen
JASON
Jason was not listening to the marketing presentation.
He should have been—something about employee wellness initiatives and corporate mindfulness programs—but his mind kept drifting back to the elevator. To soft lips and desperate hands and sounds that were decidedly not mindful or wellness related.
“…and our research shows that meditation pods could increase productivity by…”
Victoria had tasted like coffee and desire, her usual perfectly controlled facade crumbling under his hands. The way she’d melted against him, fingers tangled in his hair, making those little gasps that shot straight through him…
“Mr. Everett? Your thoughts on the meditation pods?”
Jason blinked, realizing the entire marketing team was staring at him expectantly. Ethan, the bastard, was smirking behind his tablet.
“The numbers look promising,” he said smoothly, thanking years of corporate training for his ability to bullshit through meetings while thinking about kissing his wife. “Run the pilot program and we’ll reassess in Q2.”
The marketing team beamed. Ethan’s smirk widened.
Meditation pods. Right. Because that’s exactly what he needed right now—more time alone with his thoughts about Victoria and elevators and the way she’d looked at him right before she’d grabbed his tie…
The meeting mercifully ended, and Jason loosened said tie, which still felt slightly crooked from Victoria’s grip. The marketing team filed out, leaving him alone with Ethan’s knowing grin.
“So,” Ethan drawled, “productive meeting?”
“Shut up.”
“I’m just saying, for someone advocating meditation pods, you seemed a bit… distracted.”
“Did you actually want something, or are you just here to test the limits of your job security?”
Ethan’s grin widened as he dropped into one of the conference room chairs.
“I’ve got that report on DP Entertainment you asked for.
Daniel Park’s company is doing exactly what we thought—revolutionizing the industry with innovative tech and virtual concert experiences.
They’re leading the market in digital entertainment and streaming platforms. They’re years ahead of their competitors. ”
“And?” Jason prompted, knowing Ethan’s expression meant there was more.
“And I think we might have an opportunity. Park doesn’t need investors, but he might want partners. Especially partners with our tech infrastructure and global reach.”
Jason leaned back, interest piqued despite his mind’s determination to wander back to elevator-related activities. “You’ve done your homework.”
“Park’s attending the Arts & Innovation Charity Gala. Nash Sullivan’s performing—Park’s probably scouting him for when his current contract ends. Could be a good opportunity to feel him out about a potential partnership.”
The gala. Right. Another business opportunity to pursue. “Set up a meeting with legal to review our proposal options. I want to be prepared if Park’s receptive.”
“Already on it,” Ethan said, standing with that knowing smirk still on his face.
“I’ll have everything ready before the gala.
By the way, I heard Mrs. Everett’s been heavily involved in planning this one.
First time I’ll be attending anything she’s organized—the office is buzzing about how different it is from previous years. ”
Jason raised an eyebrow. The rumors about Victoria’s recent changes had apparently reached every corner of the company.
“Tell Mrs. Everett I said hi,” Ethan added with that insufferable smirk, closing the door behind him.
Jason waited until he was gone before calling Victoria. She answered on the third ring, sounding slightly breathless.
“Oh! Jason… hi…”
He could practically hear her blush through the phone. “Victoria.”
“About earlier?—”
“The Arts & Innovation Charity Gala,” he cut in, because thinking about earlier was dangerous for his concentration.
“The what now?”
Jason frowned. Victoria never forgot social events. Especially not ones she’d spent months helping organize. “The gala? The one you’ve been planning since last year?”
“Oh! Right! That gala…” She sounded like she was grasping at smoke. “With the… things? And the… people?”
“The things and the people,” he repeated slowly. “You mean the biggest charity event of the season? With Nash Sullivan performing and half of Manhattan’s elite in attendance?”
“Yes! Exactly! That… gala. Which I definitely knew about. Because I helped plan it. Which I definitely remember doing.”
Jason’s frown deepened. Victoria had spent months obsessing over every detail of this event. She’d driven her entire social committee half-mad with her perfectionism. And now she sounded like she’d just learned about it from an online post.
“Victoria…”
“Anyway!” Her voice jumped an octave. “I should go. Lots of… gala things. To do. For the gala. That I’m definitely prepared for.”
She hung up before he could respond, leaving Jason staring at his phone with a mixture of confusion and fascination.
His wife—his perfectly polished, socially meticulous wife—was acting like she’d never heard of the event she’d been micromanaging. The same wife who’d kissed him senseless in an elevator. The same wife who’d gone viral for her wine-related heroics at a charity lunch.
The same wife who, for the first time in their marriage, felt real.
Jason smiled, tucking his phone away. The Arts & Innovation Charity Gala just got a lot more interesting.
Back in his office on the executive floor, Jason tried to focus on the quarterly reports waiting in his inbox.
The numbers blurred together, his mind still caught between elevator kisses and Victoria’s strange behavior.
He was halfway through the third financial projection when Barbara knocked on his door, holding what looked like official correspondence.
“The Arts & Innovation Foundation called,” she said, her expression carefully neutral. “Nora Montgomery wants to speak with you about the gala.”
Nora Montgomery. The foundation’s formidable director whose family had been running Manhattan’s social scene since the Gilded Age. “Put her through.”
“Jason, darling!” Nora’s voice carried the cultured warmth of old money and older influence. “I do hope I’m not interrupting?”
“Not at all, Nora. How can I help?”
“Well, as you know, the gala’s traditionally highlighted one power couple as our centerpiece speakers. The Andersons were scheduled, but poor David’s emergency surgery…” She paused delicately. “We were rather hoping you and Victoria might step in.”
Jason raised an eyebrow. “Us?”
“Oh, don’t be modest, darling. You’re perfect! The innovative tech leader and Victoria… well, have you seen her latest viral moments? That wine incident was magnificent, but there’s an even more recent one making the rounds. Do check your social media feed when you can.”
“Another video?”
“Mmm, from yesterday I believe. Victoria taking all those lovely young professional women shopping? Simply inspired PR, Jason. The comments are absolutely glowing. The People’s Socialite they’re calling her.”
Jason fought back a smile, remembering how this “People’s Socialite” had kissed him senseless in an elevator barely an hour ago.
“I’ll need to discuss it with Victoria.” Who currently seemed to have forgotten the entire event existed.
After Nora hung up, Barb lingered. “The department heads are all organized for the gala, but…” She consulted her tablet with a slight smile. “The assistants are somewhat concerned about the dress code.”
Jason remembered the typically business-casual attire of the office. “Make sure they have whatever they need. The company will cover it.”
Barbara’s lips twitched. “They’ve apparently organized a mass shopping expedition already. Half the assistants’ floor is in crisis mode over evening wear.”
“The company card?—”
“Already arranged.” Barb’s efficiency, as always, was terrifying. “Though speaking of shopping, you might want to see what your wife did at Grace’s Boutique yesterday with our staff. It’s gone viral.”
Jason pulled up his social media feed after Barbara left.
The latest viral video showed Victoria—coffee stains and all—leading a group of excited young professionals through Grace’s Boutique.
She was laughing, actually laughing, as she helped them select clothes, offering genuine compliments and style advice.
Even with the coffee-stained blouse, she somehow managed to make the mishap look endearing rather than embarrassing.
The comments were flooding in.
“From Ice Queen to People’s Princess!” ??
“Coffee stains never looked so classy!”
“This is what real class looks like—helping others shine!”
“Anyone else planning to shop at Grace’s Boutique now?”
“Who else loves this new Victoria Everett?” ??
“Taking your assistants shopping after a coffee accident? Queen behavior!” ??
Jason smiled, knowing his phone would soon be flooded with calls from fashion houses begging Victoria to wear their designs to the gala.
His wife had always been a fashion influence, but this…
this was different. The old Victoria wore designer clothes like armor.
This one wore even coffee stains like they were a bridge to connect with others.
Jason had barely finished watching the video again when his phone started buzzing with notifications. Fashion houses, both established and up-and-coming, were flooding his office line with requests for Victoria to wear their designs to the gala.
“Sir.” Barb’s voice came through the intercom. “I have three different designers on hold. They’re quite… insistent about speaking with you regarding Mrs. Everett’s gala attire.”
“Tell them to contact Samantha.”
“They have. But apparently Mrs. Everett is…” Barb paused, choosing her words carefully. “…not responding as expected.”
“Tell them all the same thing—any requests regarding Mrs. Everett’s wardrobe need to go through her PR team. No exceptions.”
“Even Madame Rousseau? She’s quite persistent.”
“Especially Madame Rousseau.” He could just imagine Victoria’s face if he started making her fashion decisions.