Chapter Twenty Seven
NATALIE
"Oh, honey, don't be nervous," Mom said in the phone. My earbuds’ batteries needed charging, so I was holding the phone between my ear and my shoulder.
I had a couple hours until the guests arrived, and I used the time to call my parents. It was nearly midnight for them, but both were night owls.
“I am, but it’s the good kind of nerves.”
"I'm glad you're having so much fun doing this."
"I’ve always liked it. I helped you for so many years."
"Yes, it's true, but it was a bit different because I was the one bearing the responsibility for the event. I didn't know if that would take the fun out of it for you."
"On the contrary, I'm really enjoying it.”
“Still, I hope a real job offer will pop up soon."
My heart sighed. I knew my parents would be terribly disappointed if I ended up not using my expensive college degree. If I was honest, I’d be disappointed in myself too, mostly because I'd wasted so many years of my life studying something that didn't make me too happy.
“How is everyone?" I asked Mom.
"Honey, we spoke two days ago."
"I know, but babies grow so fast. And you and Dad do so many things on a daily basis."
"We're thoroughly enjoying the work at the B&B. That's true," Mom said before venturing into Dad's latest fight with the local fishermen about where he was allowed to fish.
Once we finished talking, I texted Larissa.
I missed her terribly. I couldn’t wait for her to come back from her trip.
Just before leaving, she’d gotten that allergy test. Apparently she was now allergic to peanuts—something she’d never had a problem with before.
But doctors said allergies can pop up at any time.
Natalie: Hope you’re having fun.
Larissa: It’s a blast, but I miss being home. How is the event?
Natalie: Hasn’t started yet, but I’m happy with everything.
I’d loved throwing Jeannie’s ninetieth birthday because it had been such a personal milestone.
My work had genuinely made her and the family happy.
But I loved these corporate events too. I’d tried to personalize it as much as possible—but I might have ordered a tad too many flower arrangements.
I'd gotten Maddox's approval for the extra cost without issue.
I really liked working with him. It was a pity that I only had this job temporarily.
I sat down under a huge umbrella, guzzling lemonade. The event was along the water, on the beach.
After I finished my drink, I hurried home to change. I’d spent the day in jeans shorts and a tank top, and I wanted to switch to something more professional. Even though it was a beach party and the dress code was casual, I wanted to make a good impression.
Once I was home, I quickly changed into a cream-colored skirt and a light pink blouse.
Jake was picking me up from home even though I told him we could meet at the event. After all, I had to be there a full hour earlier than the guests.
I was thrilled he’d accepted Maddox’s invitation. I’d gently nudged Maddox over a couple weeks, hinting in that direction, until he eventually got my drift.
I was ready at five forty-five. I couldn’t wait to hear how the lunch at Jeannie’s and Abe’s went. My heart was still hurting a bit that I hadn’t been able to attend.
I opened the front door as soon as I heard a car door shut.
He looked absolutely beautiful. He was wearing a linen shirt today, and I chuckled.
"What?" he asked.
"I like that your response to a casual dress code is still a dress shirt."
"You’re wearing office clothes," he pointed out. "And you look delicious in them."
I shimmied my hips. I loved it when he complimented me.
"Yes, but I'm working. How was lunch?”
“Good.”
His response was a bit curt, and I realized he seemed tense. "Is something wrong with Abe? Is he sick again?"
I’d harbored that fear ever since Jake told me he was meeting them for lunch.
I was getting nervous. “Jake? I’m freaking out. Did something happen to Jeannie?”
“No, nothing like that. I met with them because Whitley Advertising got an offer from a serious buyer. A very good offer.”
I felt nauseous. What is he telling me? That he's returning to New York?
"Wow. That's good, right? It's what you wanted. What did your grandfather say?"
"He wants me to decide if I want to sell or not. He said he'd prefer if it stayed in the family, but the ultimate decision is mine."
"But that's a good thing, right? You said if this wasn't your family's company, you’d turn it around and sell it."
"I did," he said slowly. "Natalie." He cupped my face. "I know this is not the best timing to tell you, but I figured you'd be able to realize something was off with me while you were working. Best to rip off the Band-Aid now."
"No, it's good that you told me. I'm happy for you."
He frowned. "You're happy for me to sell the company and go back to New York?"
I licked my lips. His touch was setting me on fire.
"It's what you want, isn't it?"
"It was, yes."
Was. My heart felt like it was getting bigger.
"So, you don't want that anymore?"
He dropped his hand, leaning against the car.
"I don't know. Even though my grandfather said it's my decision, he also made it clear that he'd prefer it to stay in the family. I can continue my search for the CEO. I’d stay for as long as it takes until we find someone."
And my heart dropped yet again. Why did I hope he was going to say, "No, I want to stay here with you in Boston, marry you, and have a million kids"?
That wasn't what was in store for us. We both knew it.
"I think your grandparents will be happy with that option."
He was looking at me intently, as if he was expecting me to add something. Honestly, I needed to process this first.
"We should go," I said. "I don't want us to be late."
"Sure, let's go."
I was lost in thought on our way to the event location. It was only when we arrived that I realized Jake was too, because he hadn’t attempted to make conversation at all.
JAKE
Maddox had not overpitched his event. The who’s who in Boston’s business world were attending, and more than one of the guests I ended up speaking with were very interested in using the services of Whitley Advertising.
“Jake, I'm glad to see Whitley Advertising is turning around," Derek Casin said, patting my shoulder before he left. He was the tenth or eleventh guy who was interested in becoming a client.
Gabe, Cade, and Spencer had arrived about half an hour after the party started, and they were mingling with the guests. They hadn’t convinced Colton to join us.
"Brother, you’re very good at this," Maddox exclaimed, coming up to me. I brought my glass of whiskey to my lips. I’d only managed to take one sip in the last ten minutes. It was disgusting. Some of the ice had already melted. “I saw you talk to at least half a dozen people."
“Most of them are interested in Whitley Advertising."
“So, the rumors about you not being a people person weren’t founded.”
“They were. But I’m making an effort,” I said, setting my glass on a nearby table.
"You should take another one. That looks like a sorry excuse for a drink."
“It really is."
I looked for Natalie in the crowd. I hadn’t seen her for some time. I’d expected our conversation earlier to go differently. I wanted her to ask me to stay—or at least say she was keeping an eye out for jobs in New York.
“I heard the news," Maddox said, snapping my attention to him.
“So fast already? Gabe?"
"No, this time it was Grandfather himself. I think he's hoping I can convince you to view things from his vantage point."
"He made his point loud and clear." I still looked around to see Natalie, but she was nowhere in sight.
"Look, part of the reason we moved here was to be closer to our grandparents," Maddox said, taking me by complete surprise.
I turned my whole body in his direction.
"We wanted as little to do with Dad as possible after everything that happened, but Mom wanted to move away from Maine, and we were at an age where we could decide things on our own."
I hadn't realized that. It must have been shitty for them too. Their mother was alive and healthy, that was true, but these kinds of things left marks.
“The three of us actually made a pact that we would never, ever touch anything that was related to Dad."
"Then how did you end up working in Whitley Enterprises?"
“We saw how much our grandparents hoped the legacy would live on, so we set aside our resentments."
"That’s very noble." I meant every word.
"But as Gabe would say, no pressure."
"You really do sound like him," I said.
“No, he doesn’t. No one can top me,” Gabe himself said, coming up to us. I hadn’t noticed him at all. Cade and Spencer were right behind him.
“We’re the ones who’ll decide that,” Cade said.
“Yeah, you’re impartial,” Spencer added.
Maddox shook his head. “Nah, this isn’t up for debate.”
“'Course it is. You’re even more impartial,” Cade pointed out. “Were you talking about Grandfather’s bombshell?”
“Obviously,” Maddox answered.
“Yeah, we’re not going to solve that one tonight,” Spencer concluded.
“I agree,” I said. “And now if you’ll excuse me, I saw someone who’d be a great client for Whitley Advertising.” I turned to Maddox. “Thanks again for inviting me.”
“My pleasure.”
While I headed toward Holden Delaware, the CEO of a huge international company in the fast-moving consumer-goods industry, I continued looking around for Natalie.
Damn it, where is she?
I spoke to Holden for about twenty minutes before I finally saw her, then immediately excused myself.
She was talking to one of the servers who was bringing out finger food. I caught her eye and made a come-here motion with my finger. She smiled, coming up to me after finishing her conversation. Damn, I loved this woman. My life had completely changed since I met her.
"You're enjoying yourself," she said.
"I am. Good party. Then again, it's managed by an amazing planner, so I had no doubt it was going to be great."
"No one's tempted to steal you yet?"
I frowned. "We've had plenty of people who want to work with Whitley Advertising."
She ran a hand through her hair. "That's not what I mean."
"I'm not following."
"I've seen at least five women eye-fucking you. I have no doubt they’d like to do the real deal."
"Who? When?"
She quirked a brow. "You really didn't notice them?"
"Natalie, you're the only woman for me. Don't ever doubt that."
"That doesn't mean you can't notice other women."
"Yes it fucking does. I only notice you. And if you want, I’ll kiss you right here and make it clear to everyone that I'm yours."
She licked her lips, taking a step back. "You’d really do it, huh?”
"I'm tempted. But I know it wouldn't reflect well professionally for you. I’ll keep all these thoughts for tonight when we go back to your place. It's much closer than the hotel.”
“Ah, and you're inviting yourself again. What am I going to do with you?"
"Just say yes."
"Oh, I'm weak for you, Jake. I can only ever say yes."
"Never wanted to hear anything else."
"I’m warning you. It's hot as hell at my place," she said.
"That's no problem. We'll just take off our clothes."