Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
JACKSON
“This is the client contract for RS Enterprises for your review and signature,” Clarissa says, placing some papers on my office desk.
“Thanks, Clarissa,” I say. “I’ll get it signed before I head to Chicago this afternoon.”
She nods. “I’ll have three copies of the slides for your pitch with Vertical Technologies this morning printed for you shortly.”
“Don’t worry about it. I can do that myself.”
Clarissa pushes up her glasses. “It’s no trouble. It’s part of my job.”
“It’s a one-minute walk to the printer,” I say. “You’ve got enough on your to-do list already.”
“Fine.” She gives me a pensive smile. “You know, you’re just like your father. He always insisted that nothing was beneath him.”
A stinging feeling stabs my chest.
It’s been over a month since I commenced my CEO role, and I thought I would’ve transitioned seamlessly into it by now, but most of the time, I feel like I’m some kind of imposter here.
Every time I glance at the city skyline outside my office windows, I wonder what it’d feel like if I were doing something else—like designing buildings instead of sitting inside this one.
Many people would love to be a CEO, so I’m probably only being ungrateful for the opportunity Dad gave me.
“I’ll leave you to it,” Clarissa says, breaking my train of thought. “Call me if you need anything else.”
“Will do.”
After she leaves, I print off my slides for my pitch, doing a final round of preparation before my meeting.
An hour later, after a successful pitch to Vertical Technologies, I return to my office and grab a folder on my desk, preparing to head outside. I’m picking Isabelle up this afternoon for our flight to Chicago, but there’s something I want to give to her before then.
It’s been raining nonstop for the past three days, and the humidity’s been crazy—I’ve been sleeping with the AC on most nights—but it’s finally stopped raining now.
When I arrive at The Daily Brew, the bell on the door jingles as I push it open, stepping inside.
“Uncle Jace!”
I turn to the source of the voice, Anna, who’s skipping over to me, her eyes glimmering with delight. I squat to give her a hug, a grin spreading across my face.
“Hey, kiddo. What are you doing here? Where’s your mom?”
“Mommy and I are having a day out.” She giggles. “She’s here, too.”
“Hey, Jackson,” Lucy says, walking up to me and Anna. “Perfect timing actually. Would you mind staying with Anna for a few minutes? I need to make a phone call outside.”
“Of course, Luce,” I say. “Take your time.”
“Thanks.” She gives me a smile and walks out the door.
Mischief scatters on Anna’s cheeks. “I’m almost finished with my drawing, Uncle Jace. Can I show you when I’m done?”
“I’d love to see it, Anna,” I say.
“You’d better.”
Anna leads me to her and Lucy’s table, which is at the front of the coffee shop, closest to the counter. We sit down, and Anna picks up a colored pencil, finishing off her drawing.
Isabelle’s working away and taking orders, her eyes sparkling under the fluorescent lights. When she spots me, a small smile blossoms on her face. I give her a tiny wave, smiling back.
I’ll stay with Anna until Lucy’s back, and then I’ll go up to Isabelle.
My mind trails back to the memory of Isabelle drunk at the reunion and the vulnerability she showed when she was telling me about her fashion show.
The peaceful look that permeated her face when she fell asleep on the couch.
The way she fit perfectly in my arms when I carried her from the couch to her bed.
Something’s shifted in the air since the reunion, something I can’t yet pinpoint.
I told her not to think about our kiss, but I’m not sure how much longer I can keep it up myself and pretend it never happened. The voice of reason inside my head is shrinking the more time I spend with her.
Anna’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “Uncle Jace, I’m almost done with my drawing.”
“That’s great, Anna.”
“Isabelle, is it?” I overhear a customer speaking in a British accent. “What a beautiful name.”
My head jerks up as I glance toward the counter, bitterness rising in my chest when I notice the blond man talking to Isabelle. He looks like he’s around my age.
Yeah, I’m definitely not liking this at all.
“Thank you,” Isabelle replies.
“I’m Brendan,” he says. “I’m visiting from London. I have a feeling the coffee here is incredible, and I’d love to get one before I head to the train station. Do you have any recommendations?”
Something nasty twists in my stomach. I don’t like Brendan either, and I couldn’t care less if he was late for his train.
Also, I hope a bird shits on him the moment he steps outside.
The ugly feeling in my stomach intensifies when Isabelle laughs at something else he says.
Shit. She’s laughing at another man’s jokes.
“Uncle Jace, you’re not listening to me!” Anna exclaims. “I asked if you want to see my drawing.”
I return my attention to Anna, an apologetic smile slanting my lips. “Sorry, Anna. Of course, I’d love to see your drawing.”
Anna flashes a toothy grin. “You’re forgiven.” She holds up her drawing for me to see. It’s a sketch of a sunny sky and a pink and blue castle, with a man and woman standing in front of it, both wearing crowns.
“That’s a great drawing, Anna,” I say. “What’s the story behind it?”
“Once upon a time, there was a king and queen who lived in different kingdoms and hated each other,” Anna narrates.
“But they began to spend more time together and realized the other person wasn’t so bad.
One day, at a magical royal ball, the king asked the queen to dance.
The queen was wearing a pretty dress, and the king thought she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. ”
I sneak another look at Isabelle, who’s grabbing a to-go cup from the shelf behind the counter.
“And what happened after that?” I ask Anna.
Anna beams. “Well, they fell in love, got married, had two princess daughters, and lived happily ever after.”
I smile. “I’m glad they did. That’s a great story.”
“Uncle Jace, can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
A twinkle shines in her eyes. “Do you believe in love?”
“Why do you ask?” I tease, slightly taken aback by her question.
Despite my parents’ marriage not working out and never experiencing falling in love myself, I do believe in love.
I think of Lucy and her husband, Victor, who told Lucy that he was going to marry her when she got pregnant at twenty-one.
And Tony’s been happily married to his wife for nearly thirty years.
“I think you’re in love,” Anna says.
I cock a brow. “That’s a very bold statement, Anna. How do you know what that’s like?”
“The way you were looking at Isabelle. It was just like how my daddy looks at my mommy every day.”
A chuckle escapes my throat. “You’re very observant, Anna.”
Anna purses her lips. “You won’t be laughing when Brendan kisses her before you do.”
Hell no.
Glancing at Isabelle again, I watch as she places Brendan’s coffee on the counter, and then he lifts his phone to show her something.
Fuck. Is he giving her his number?
There’s only one way to find out.
“Stay here,” I tell Anna before grabbing my folder and marching over to the counter.
“Go, Uncle Jace!” she squeals from behind me.
I walk up to Brendan and sneak a glimpse at his phone, internally letting out a sigh of relief when it’s only some random cat video.
“Hey, man,” I say, clearing my throat. “I thought you had a train to catch.”
Brendan turns to me, then checks the time on his phone. “Shit. You’re right, man. Thanks for the reminder.”
“You’re welcome.”
A frown spreads on his face, and he gives me a pat on the shoulder. “By the way, your jaw looks quite tight. You might want to relax a little.”
“Thanks for your concern,” I begrudgingly say.
Brendan flashes a bright smile that seems genuine but only irks me further. “You’re more than welcome.” He grabs his coffee, turning to Isabelle again with another grin. “It was lovely to meet you, Isabelle.”
Pressure builds in my ribs as I watch him.
Isabelle gives Brendan a polite nod. “You too. Have a good rest of the day.”
Brendan heads off, and Isabelle folds her arms once he’s out of earshot. “Did you come here to tell the customers to go away?”
“Not all,” I correct. “Only those who are playing with fire.”
“Were you going to order anything?”
“I’m good. I just had something I wanted to give to you.” I hand her the folder in my hands and then touch the back of my neck. “There are a few marketing ideas inside. For your fashion show, I mean. I had another look at your socials and thought of some strategies you could use.”
That’s not the only thing I prepared, but my other—and bigger—surprise for her will be revealed tonight at the event.
Isabelle flips open the file inside the folder, her eyes widening. “Wow, this is amazing. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I thickly say. “It’s nothing.”
As Isabelle continues reading, I sneak a glance at Anna, who’s eagerly eyeing my interaction with Isabelle. She gives me an encouraging thumbs-up sign. It’s validating, though I’m feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Usually, I have no trouble talking to women and flirting with them, but with Isabelle, it’s as if all of that’s gone out the window.
I’m realizing I have no rules, strategy, or playbook when it comes to her. Despite us competing with each other and tossing insults at one another back in school, the truth is … Isabelle Curtis-Wong has always had an immense power over me. For better or worse.
“You feeling all good for tonight?” I ask.
“Yeah.” Isabelle chews her bottom lip, and I block out all the thoughts that invade my mind that involve her lips and the way they felt against mine. “I’m excited.”
I clear my throat. “I have to finish off some work before our flight, but text me if you need anything before then. Don’t miss me too much when I’m gone.”
She responds in a jocular tone, “Don’t count on it.”
It’s almost as if my body is refusing to leave even though I’ll be seeing Isabelle again in two hours. But I force myself to drag my feet and head for the exit, saying goodbye to Anna and Lucy—who’s now reentered the coffee shop.
Later in the morning, I’m reviewing a client brief at my office when my phone dings with a new text.
Unknown
Hey, it’s me, Isabelle. I’m heading home now to finish packing
I’m grinning like I’ve won the lottery, feeling like a high schooler who’s just been noticed by their crush. I swivel around in my office chair and save Isabelle’s number into my phone before replying.
Me
I’ll pick you up at one. If you need more time to finish packing, let me know.
Isabelle responds moments later.
Bella
Don’t worry. I’ll be done long before then
By one p.m., Isabelle has not finished packing.
I’m not surprised.
When I call her from outside her apartment building, she tells me she only needs five more minutes, conviction underlining her tone.
“When you say five, should I double it and multiply that by ten?” I ask.
Even without seeing her, I can picture a scowl forming on her lips.
“Just wait inside your car,” she says. “I’ll come down when I’m done.”
“Nope. I’m coming up.”
I walk to the intercom and press the button corresponding to her apartment. There’s no way I’m not helping her carry her luggage down those old stairs.
Isabelle doesn’t protest, letting me up. I walk to her apartment on the fourth floor, knocking on her door. When she opens it, she’s wearing an oversize blue hoodie and matching sweatpants, her hair in the same high ponytail from earlier.
Even in a casual outfit, she looks stunning. Resisting her is proving harder and harder every day.
“I told you I only needed another five minutes,” Isabelle says. “I was trying to fit everything inside my luggage.”
That’s when I notice the large suitcase beside her that’s double the size of mine. “I thought we were going on an overnight trip, not a vacation to Europe.”
Isabelle crosses her arms. “What do you know about packing? Everything I have inside is an absolute necessity.”
I shrug. “The only absolute necessity is that you’re coming with me.”
Isabelle’s cheeks redden, and a cocky smile forms on my face. I absolutely love seeing that goddamn blush on her and even more knowing I caused it.
“We should head down,” she says.
“Sounds good.”
I reach for her luggage handle, but she stops me.
“I can carry that myself,” she insists.
“I know you can,” I say. “But let me do it. I don’t want you to worry about anything for this trip. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and show up to the event as my date.”
“Okay.” Her pulse flutters at her throat. “Thanks.”
That’s my girl.
“You’re welcome,” I say. “Plus, it’s a good daily workout for my muscles.”
Her gaze flicks to my biceps. “Show-off.”
“What the hell are you hiding in here anyway?” I ask, gesturing to her luggage. “A piano?”
“Yep. Thought I could play some classical music as relaxation when I reach my daily Jackson threshold.”
Isabelle locks her door, and we start heading down the stairs, me following her.
“Daily, huh?” There’s a haughty smile on my face. “I’m on your mind that much?”
“If being full of yourself were an Olympic sport, you’d win a gold medal, Jacky.”
A laugh plummets from my mouth, bouncing off the old walls. Jokes aside, for some reason, I’m starting to not mind the nickname Jacky when it comes out of Isabelle’s mouth.
“I can probably say the same about you and your overpacking. In fact, wanna make a bet that your luggage will be flagged as overweight at the airport?”
“Absolutely.” The confidence in her voice makes me feel suspicious. “But you’re definitely going to lose.”
“We’ll see about that.”
Outside her apartment building, Tony’s waiting for us inside the car, his window rolled down. “Good afternoon, miss.”
“Good afternoon, Tony, is it?” Isabelle fiddles with the sleeves of her hoodie. “Sorry about what happened last time.”
Tony gives her a smile, his eyes crinkling. “No need to apologize at all, miss.”
I place Isabelle’s luggage inside the trunk next to mine and head to the back car door. Isabelle’s already settled inside with her seat belt on.
And at that moment, I realize I could get used to this—picking Isabelle up and going to places with her.