Chapter Thirty-Two New York
SUTTON
My presentation is a week away…
And I am ready.
I feel more confident about this proposal than I have any that I’ve put together before. My plans are solid, my blueprints pristine, and I’m certain Mr. Romero will want to implement my ideas.
I’ve preserved the core structural framework of the building instead of proposing a full demolition.
That’ll mean keeping the original steel skeleton and load-bearing elements intact while reimagining the interior layout.
The vaulted ceiling spans and exposed beams give the space character that most new builds could never replicate, and by integrating modern acoustic treatments and modular performance spaces within that existing shell, the building can evolve into something dynamic without losing the bones that make it special.
The only thing I’m still worried about is actually giving the presentation. Speaking in front of a large group. The fear gnaws at me unrelentingly, but I’ve somehow managed to convince myself I’ll actually pull this off.
I can do it.
I think.
Still, it’s hard not to dwell on the presentation, getting caught up in my thoughts and anxiety, especially since — because my plans are finished — my workload has lightened. More time in my own head without distractions isn’t necessarily a good thing.
That evening, Jayce and I are sitting in the living room together, watching highlights from his more recent game on SportsCenter when my phone buzzes.
I pick it up, surprised to see it’s my dad.
He doesn’t usually call me directly. We usually talk if Mom’s calling me, or his assistant reaches out to me about work.
With a frown, I answer the phone. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hi, Sutt.” His voice is warm, and I relax in an instant. “How are you, sweetheart?”
“I’m good,” I reply. “Just hanging out with Jayce.”
“Oh, say hello for me.”
Grinning, I turn to Jayce. “Dad says hi.”
Jayce gives me a half grin. “Hey, Mr. Holloway.”
Chuckling, I turn my attention back to dad. “So, what’s up?”
“I’ve got some good news,” he begins. “Martin Crane of Crane Appliances loved the design you put together for his company’s new corporate office. He wants to meet with you in person to talk over details of a contract.”
Excitement rushes through me. Crane Appliances is a big client. Not as big as Romero, but still a noteworthy catch. This is awesome! More proof that I can use to show I’m CEO-material.
“That’s great!” I exclaim.
“I thought maybe you could meet with him Friday,” Dad continues. “Since you’ll be home for the Bright Hearts Ball this weekend anyway, it would be easy enough to fit in a meeting with him.”
“Yeah, that’s no problem. I can do that.
” If I’m going to be home already, why not?
So long as it doesn’t interfere with preparations for the ball — that is, the annual fundraiser that raises money to help children with heart defects.
Mom’s been a sponsor since well before Colson died, and since I’ve been old enough to attend, I haven’t missed a single one.
“Excellent! I’ll get everything set up here at the office. You don’t have to worry about a thing. Just show up and charm him like I know you’re capable of.”
The small compliment has warmth spreading through me. “Sounds good, Dad.”
“I’ll let you go, then. See you when you get home on Thursday, sweetheart.”
“Yep, I’ll see you then.”
I hang up the phone, feeling pumped up and excited. Turning to Jayce, I see that he’s watching me with an expectant expression.
“I have a meeting with Crane Appliances Friday,” I tell him. “They asked for me specifically!”
Jayce beams, looking proud, and a wave of giddiness crashes over me.
“That’s great, Starling. That’d be a huge get! You’re going to kick ass.”
“I hope so.” Leaning my head on the back of the couch, I let out a small sigh. “I wish you could come with me this weekend.”
He nods. “I know. I wish I could go too, but I’ve got to be here for Friday’s game.”
I try not to let my disappointment show too much. I know he’d be with me if he could, but we both have responsibilities that we can’t just ignore. That’s life. That’s reality…which is what has been making our arrangement feel so real.
“Honestly, I wish I could be here for the game too,” I confess. “But this event is one of those can’t miss things.”
Jayce nods, his expression one of understanding.
“It’s all right,” he assures me. “There will be other games when you get back.”
When I get back…the way he says that is so natural and he sounds so assured that I’ll be back. No hesitation. No doubt.
That’s oddly comforting. Someone will be waiting for me to come home.
“Yeah.” I bite my bottom lip to hide my smile and turn my eyes to the TV. “Yeah, you’re right. There will be plenty more games.”
Arriving back in New York feels a little weird at first after being in Denver for so long. Still, it’s nice to be home, and Aunt Delilah’s in town to help with the fundraiser, so she acts as a good buffer between me and Mom’s overbearing, though loving, presence.
Friday I go into the Holloway Architecture office for my meeting with Martin Crane.
We meet in the main conference room which smells like a high-end coffeeshop.
There’s a long polished table with cushioned chairs all around it, and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the city.
I sit between my dad and Uncle Kevin, my laptop open.
Martin Crane sits across from us. He’s fifty-something with a head of thick gray hair, a lean build, and sharp green eyes.
He looks relaxed, leaning back in his chair, tie loosened.
His CFO, a younger man named Tony with a clean-shaven face and dark hair, is much more buttoned-up and seemingly focused.
I lean forward, folding my hands on the table.
“Crane Appliances is at an inflection point,” I say, my tone calm and confident.
A setting like this, where I only have to talk to two people, is so much easier for me than a big group.
That said, even recognizing this—getting that little internal reminder of my upcoming make-or-break meeting where I will have to talk to a group—has panic bubbling up in my stomach, so I quickly push it down and focus.
“You’re expanding fast, but your infrastructure still reflects where you were ten years ago. ”
Martin raises an eyebrow. “That so?”
I nod, already pulling up a rendering. “A new corporate office isn’t just a building. It’s a statement to investors, employees, and competitors. It says you’re here to lead, not follow.”
The CFO pipes up. “We’re concerned about scalability.”
“Which is exactly why Holloway is the right firm,” I assure him. “We don’t design for what you need now. We design for what you’ll need next.”
They’ve seen my design already, but I walk them through it again so they have a clear picture in their heads.
I’ve incorporated sustainable materials that cut long-term costs, and a design that reflects innovation without being indulgent, with lower-cost expansion opportunities for the future.
Dad jumps in with technical specifics, and Kevin fills in regulatory strategy. The presentation is seamless.
When we’re done, Martin taps his pen against the table, thoughtful. “Timeline?”
“Sixteen months from approval to completion,” I answer.
The CFO glances at Martin, then back at me. “And if there are delays?”
“We build contingencies into the process,” I say.
There’s a moment of thoughtful silence before Martin smiles. “I like the way you think, Sutton.”
My pulse spikes with excitement, but I keep my expression steady.
He looks at my dad, then Kevin. “Let’s do it. Crane Appliances wants Holloway Architecture to build our new corporate office.”
For a second, I forget how to breathe.
My dad’s hand lands on my shoulder, and when I look at him, he’s smiling at me, pride in his gaze. My chest tightens with emotion, but I maintain my composure. We finish up the meeting and I shake hands with Martin and his CFO before they leave.
Once they’re gone, Dad turns to me with his grin still in place. He claps his hands together, the corners of his eyes crinkling.
“You did a great job,” he declares. “The way you handled Crane was sharp.”
My eyes go wide. “Really?”
“Really,” he nods. “You led that room.”
Uncle Kevin grins. “I’m just glad I didn’t have to say much.”
I laugh. “Happy to step in. I should get going. Mom wants me to help with a few things before tomorrow night. I’ll let you two wrap up.”
Dad squeezes my arm. “Seriously, Sutton. I’m proud of you.”
I float all the way down the hallway to the elevator. When I reach the ground floor, the doors open into the lobby, and I’m still smiling.
“Sutton!”
I recognize that voice.
I turn and, just as I suspected, I spot Archie near reception, sprawled across one of the chairs with his backpack at his feet and a tablet balanced on his knee.
My smile widens as I make my way over to my sixteen-year-old step-cousin.
Tall, lanky, with shaggy blonde hair and glasses perched on his nose, he actually looks like he fits right in here, despite being so young.
“Hey, genius,” I greet him. “Shouldn’t you be out running wild in the streets like all the other teenagers?”
He grins. “Please. This is basically my playground.” He taps his screen. “I’m helping Kevin clean up some projections. For fun.”
“Of course you are.”
He stands, slinging the backpack over one shoulder. “So. Crane Appliances. That’s huge.”
I arch a brow. “You already know?”
“I have ears,” he says innocently. “I knew the meeting was happening, and you look so confident, I can’t imagine it went bad.”
I chuckle and nod. “Yeah, we got it.”
“Nice,” he says, sounding genuinely impressed. “I never doubted you.”
He moves to walk with me, and I ask, “You’re not waiting for Kevin?”
He shakes his head. “Nah, he has another meeting. I was just waiting for you to come down. I wanted to say hi.”
“Ahhhh!” I gush, wrapping my arm around him and giving him a tight hug as he groans. “You’re such a sweetie!”
“Ewww, stop.” He ducks from my hold with a grin.
We walk toward the doors together, and Archie asks about Colorado and Jayce and I answer his questions just enough to satisfy him without getting too personal.
Just as we step out of the building into the afternoon sun, he exclaims, “Oh! That guy Leon has been by a few times in the past week, by the way.”
I freeze in my tracks and look at him with a frown. “Leon? Why?”
He shrugs. “I dunno. He asked for you a few times. I just figured you hadn’t told him you were in Colorado, so I kept my mouth shut.”
He absolutely did know I was in Colorado, because he showed up at Jayce’s fucking building! “Did he talk to my dad?”
Archie frowns, appearing thoughtful for a few seconds. “Actually…no.” He tilts his head. “He always came on days your dad and Kevin were out. Now that I think about it, that’s pretty weird, huh?”
My stomach tightens. As often as Dad and Kevin are here, it’d be pretty difficult to never run into them…unless he was actively avoiding them.
Fuck, that’s not just a coincidence, but I don’t know what he could have been doing hanging around the office when no one was here.
I rest a hand on Archie’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “Thanks for telling me.”
“Sure. I gotta get home now. I’ll see you later, Sutt.”
I let him go and watch him make his way down the sidewalk to a parked car waiting for him and watch him get in before I turn to head to my car.
As I slide into the driver’s seat, my thoughts are racing with questions about Leon and what he could be up to, but one thought presses its way to the forefront.
I need to tell Jayce.