Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
LEVI
Arthur sits across from me in one of the leather chairs in my office, slowly flipping through the final copy of the contract.
Behind him, the Manhattan skyline glows through the floor-to-ceiling windows settling into the background with the fading sun.
A few weeks ago, this meeting would’ve had me on edge.
Back then, every conversation with Arthur felt like walking through a minefield. One wrong answer, and he would’ve pulled the deal entirely.
Now?
God.
The tension in the room feels different.
It’s more like the kind where you’ve come to the end of a journey and you don’t want to say goodbye.
I can’t even believe I’m thinking that. But somewhere between his charity events and the long conversations on our vineyard walks, we stopped being businessman and client and became something closer to friends.
So much has happened over the last few weeks. So many changes between him and me.
And with Piper.
The thought of her makes me smile. We’ve been back for a few days, but I keep hearing her telling me she loves me. Every time I remember, it’s as fresh as if she’s standing before me.
I feel like a man who was handed the very best prize.
And the butterfly is flying to England with me.
Arthur adjusts his glasses and studies the final page of the document carefully before reaching for the pen beside him.
I still hold my breath anyway. Old habits die hard.
I’m so used to him switching gears when I least expect, I don’t think I can be too careful.
He flips the pages until he reaches the first signature box. It’s not until the sound of his heavy scrawl scratches across the paper fills my ears that I exhale.
Christ Almighty, he’s actually signing the contract. The long wait is finally over.
He signs the other pages, then closes the folder and slides the signed contract across the desk toward me.
The moment the edge touches my finger, Arthur leans back in his chair, exhales, and smiles.
“There you go, son,” he says. “Signed, sealed, and delivered.”
Relief settles through me like a balm on a sore.
There was so much attached to me getting this deal, but earning Arthur Lockwood’s trust was the biggest thing.
And I have to admit my lie no longer sits well with me.
I wouldn’t have cared before. He was being such a big pain in my ass I never thought I’d feel anything from earning his trust based on a false reality I created. But I know he genuinely became fond of Piper and me.
“Thank you,” I tell him honestly. “For trusting me.”
Arthur tilts his head and looks me over. “You won me over, son. Can’t say that about many people these days.”
The statement lands heavily, making the guilt twist deeper.
“You definitely made a believer out of me.” He nods.
“Thank you.”
Piper and I are real now. The lie is gone. I have to think of it like that.
There’s just one more thing left to do.
“I know I originally promised one of the other analysts would oversee the ongoing maintenance side of the investments, but…” I pause briefly. “I’d actually like to handle it personally myself. If you’re alright with that.”
Arthur’s brows lift immediately, and he studies me for a second before smirking.
“Well, now. Guess this means you’re not eager to get rid of me after all.”
I smile. “Am I that obvious?”
“Yes. But… son, you practically became part of the family over the last few weeks.” Arthur’s grin widens. “I wasn’t planning on letting you disappear on me that easily, either.”
“Is that right?”
“Damn straight.” He chuckles heartily, but then a look of seriousness washes over his face. “My Ellie Mae and I would love to see you marry that girl of yours, and we’d like you to visit us at the vineyard from time to time. Stay in touch outside of business.”
I nod with appreciation. “I’d like that, too.”
I don’t even bother to talk down the marriage part. I’d only look like a fool.
“Alright, Levi Vale. That sounds like a plan.” He extends his hand to shake mine.
I shake his hand and nod. “I’ll be in touch in a few days when everything is in motion.”
“I look forward to hearing from you.”
Mission accomplished.
I just closed one of the biggest deals of my career.
Now all I can think about is getting home to Piper.
* * *
The aroma of warm banana bread and vanilla fills the air as I walk into my home.
I loosen my tie as I walk farther, following the scent straight toward the kitchen.
There I find my girl, standing by the stove. She’s just taking what looks like a banana loaf from the oven.
She looks up and smiles when she sees me. There’s flour dusted lightly across one of her cheeks and her hair.
I smile back.
This is a good look.
Before Piper, I came home to an empty house. By the time I get in, all my staff have gone home for the day. Marie is usually the only one I see in the morning because she starts so early.
Piper has brought more than life into this house.
She’s made it feel like a home.
And now she’s baking.
“That smells amazing,” I murmur, walking toward her.
“I hope it tastes amazing, too. Aunt Bess sent me the recipe. Thought I’d make it for you because you’re always making me food. I must warn you; nothing I make is as good as hers.”
“I can already tell you I’m gonna love it.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
I slide an arm around her waist and pull her against me, then I kiss her slowly.
“Mm,” I murmur against her mouth. “But you smell like I should be eating you.”
A soft laugh escapes her. “You can eat me later. How was your meeting with Arthur?”
“It went well.”
The answer comes a little too quickly, and I guess I must sound a little hesitant because Piper studies me immediately.
“You’re thinking about…” She trails off carefully. “About how everything started, aren’t you?”
I exhale slowly. “Yeah.”
“I’ve been thinking about it, too.”
“I don’t want you worrying about that,” I tell her honestly.
“I just feel a little bad. Though I know it would be worse if we ever came clean.”
That’s not an option. It would be worse. “Things may have started on the wrong foot, but they definitely didn’t end there.” I caress her face. “Look at us now.”
Piper’s expression softens completely. “Yeah,” she whispers. “You’re right.”
“Come here.”
She moves back to me, and I kiss her again, slower this time.
And as long as nobody ever finds out the truth about our fake arrangement, we’ll be fine.
It’s time to stop thinking about it now and start planning for the future.