Chapter Fifteen Potential
SUTTON
They were thrilled.
The minute I mentioned Jayce, the heir apparent to Parker Global, it seemed like all thoughts of Leon went out the window.
“Leon isn’t even a footnote in our thoughts anymore,” Mom had said.
I’d been a little stunned by how quickly and willingly she was able to put Leon to the side.
I’d been torn between frustration and relief.
Is that really all they think? That I need a man so badly to run the company with, that I can upgrade to someone better and they’re just okay with it?
They didn’t even ask me follow up questions.
They just accepted the engagement as fact.
Still, I wanted them off my back, didn’t I?
This plan seems to be working rather perfectly.
I’ve worked too hard and sacrificed too much to ensure Holloway Architecture is mine and mine alone when Dad passes it down.
He’s never said so explicitly, I know Dad could easily hand the company over to my Uncle Kevin, or even his son Archie, though the kid’s only sixteen so that wouldn’t happen anytime soon.
Grabbing my phone, I let out a long groan when I see I have tons of messages. Several are from the group chat with the girls, demanding details.
Rylee: Okay, you gotta spill. What’s going on? Is this really all a plan? You two seemed pretty cozy with each other. Come on, you can tell me.
Grace: Sutton! I’m so confused. You guys acted like you hardly knew each other at Christmas! Now you’re plotting fake engagements together?
Skyler: What kind of crazy fuckery are you guys up too?
Stacey: I can’t believe I wasn’t at the game!!!
It’s not just the girls. I’ve got a few from Aunt Delilah demanding answers as well.
Aunt Delilah: Engaged? Why didn’t you say anything?!? What about the Leon situation??
Aunt Delilah: That man is fine, darling! I expect details!
I’ve also got several emails from Mom, already suggesting possible wedding venues, florists, and planners.
Ugh, she doesn’t waste any time. Whatever. An engagement can last a long time. I don’t need to worry about this right now. My only focus today is the introductory meeting with Jackson Romero that Aunt Delilah set up for me.
With that thought, I set my phone aside and get out of bed.
Making my way into the room’s private bathroom.
Stepping into the shower, I let out a sigh of delight as the hot water washes over me.
After washing my hair and scrubbing myself from head-to-toe, I get out, dry off, and dress in a black pencil skirt and white silk blouse.
Once I’ve done my makeup, I fix my hair, taking care to hide the teal underneath by gathering it up and wrapping my brown hair around it in a low, elegant bun.
I always hate hiding it because it feels like I’m hiding a part of myself. It’s not always teal. I’ve done purple, pink, red, orange…pops of color to remind me of the carefree childhood I once had, my brother and I once had, that I don’t want to let go of
I can’t make any mistakes today. Have to be the pinnacle of professionalism.
Checking the time, I realize I need to get going if I’m going to make my meeting on time.
I slip into a pair of heels and head out of the bedroom, but as I make my way down the hallway, I realize I don’t have a way of actually getting to the meeting.
Fuck! I didn’t think through my transportation options when I came to Colorado.
I’ve got my own car back home in New York, but I typically use the private drivers my parents provide.
Shit, I’m going to need to take an Uber or something, but what if they don’t get here in time to pick me up? I can’t be late to this meeting! If I blow this, I’ll just be proving Mom and Dad right and they’ll never hand the company to me.
Panic building up inside me, I hurry out of my room and down the hall toward the kitchen.
Hearing the sound of the blender as I step into the open, I come to a stop when I find Jayce standing at the island, working the appliance in nothing but a pair of black jogger pants.
Blinking, I can’t help but stare at his bare torso, lean and ripped.
His arms are flexed, showing off his impressive biceps and his pants are hanging low enough on his hips to give me a perfect view of that delicious V leading down to his…
Startled, I stop that train of thought before I start remembering exactly what is hiding inside those pants.
His hair is slicked back and he’s wearing running shoes, so I’m guessing he just got done with a workout.
Did he go out in public without a shirt?
Is he trying to give the women of Denver heart attacks?
He looks up at me and grins, turning the blender off.
“Good morning,” he says, reaching for a metal tumbler with a lid and straw.
“Good morning,” I reply, watching him pour the pink smoothie into the cup.
“Heading out?”
I nod, feeling a little bit awkward just standing here, staring at him as he puts the lid on the cup.
I don’t actually know how to act around him.
We’re not a couple, and we’re only kinda-sorta friends, at most, considering we don’t know much about one another.
It’s not like we’ve spent a ton of time together just the two of us.
I don’t feel right acting all buddy-buddy with him, but I’m also not going to act like a lover and drape myself all over him.
Are we just supposed to act like business partners?
Well, yeah, actually. I mean, that’s what we are. Business partners. Okay, I can work with that.
Realizing I haven’t answered his question, I stammer, “Uh…yeah. I’ve got my meeting with Jackson Romero today.”
Nodding, he slides the tumbler with the smoothie in it toward me. I look from him to the cup and back again, lifting a brow in question.
“Coffee isn’t good for your nerves,” he states simply.
The corners of my mouth twitch. “Thanks. That’s really thoughtful of you.” Remembering my Mom’s emails, I sigh. “We might have to lie about a wedding date. Mom is already sending me venues and florist ideas. She’s not going to stop until we, uh, set something in stone… so to speak.”
Jayce is putting bananas, strawberries, and protein powder in the blender, presumably to make one for himself now, but he nods and looks back up at me.
“Engagements can last a long time,” he says in an even tone. “Just tell her we want to enjoy this time together and we’ll set a date for sometime next year or something.”
I wasn’t expecting him to be so cool and easygoing with this. “Oh, uh, great. I’ll figure that out then and let you know what I come up with. You said at least six months out?”
“Yeah, whatever works.” He puts the lid on the blender, but before he hits the start button, he says, “Anyway, I’ve got practice this afternoon, and then, since it’s Friday, everyone will probably go out to the Night Hawk tonight. It’s the team’s favorite bar.”
Oh, shit. I was hoping for at least a day before I had to face everyone. “Um…sure, okay. I should get going now, but… hmm.” I stop, remembering with a sinking feeling in my gut that I don’t have a way to actually get to my meeting yet. “Shit, I… well…”
Before I can leave, though, Jayce is speaking. “My driver is already waiting for you. Black Mercedes. His name is Frank.”
Is this man a freaking mind reader? How does he seem to know every one of my needs, and knows how to meet it without me saying anything?
Glancing back over my shoulder, I give him a grateful smile. “You’re a lifesaver. I owe you big time. Have a great day.”
He winks at me. I hurry to gather my laptop and cling to my smoothie as I make my way to the front door to get away from him before he sees how flustered I am.
“Forgetting something?” he smiles.
“What?” I ask.
He comes up behind me, holds out my coat, and helps me into it.
He does every gesture smoothly and perfectly, with gentlemanly grace you wouldn’t expect from a guy who smashes pucks across the ice every day.
He adjusts the collar of my coat just right, and when his fingers brush against my neck, static electricity sparkles between us.
Once he’s bundled me up, he offers me another wink and returns to the kitchen. “Good luck,” he says.
I rush out the door so he won’t see me blush. This is just an arrangement. Have to remember that.
Just as Jayce said, a Black Mercedes is waiting outside of the building. A middle-aged man in a black suit with a thick mop of dark hair and brown eyes is standing by the back passenger’s door.
“Miss Holloway?”
I come to a stop in front of him. “Are you Frank?”
He smiles. “Yes I am. Mr. Vaughn said you would need a ride to the performance center today.”
Once again, I’m caught off guard by Jayce’s thoughtfulness. “Uh, yes, that’s right.”
Frank opens the car door for me. “We should get going then, Miss Holloway. I don’t want you to be late.”
Grinning, I slip into the car, sinking into the soft leather seat, and Frank closes the door behind me.
He gets in behind the wheel and pulls smoothly into traffic.
I place my smoothie in a cup holder and sit back to try and relax, closing my eyes to go over my pitch in my head before we arrive at the site.
However, instead of building schematics and layouts, my mind conjures up the image of Jayce, shirtless and standing in his kitchen, or putting my coat on.
Damn…why’s he have to be so fucking hot?
How am I not supposed to think of him bending me over and fucking me until I pass out when he’s walking around like that?
Not only that, but he’s been so amazing to me. Anticipating my needs, listening to me when I have ideas or make suggestions, caring for me in a way no man ever has before.
And we’re not even together like a real couple. How would he be with a real girlfriend?
The thought makes my stomach twist uncomfortably. Ugh…I don’t like thinking of him being so thoughtful with some other, faceless girl.