She’s moved on already, at least on the surface. Me? I can’t stop replaying the taste of her lips, the sound of her gasp.
Professional? Maybe for her. For me, it feels impossible.
Chase pushes the conference room door open, and two men spring to their feet like schoolboys caught whispering. Their water glasses sweat rings onto the polished table as they straighten their ties.
I shrug out of my coat, unhurried, and hang it on the rack. No wasted movements. Then I claim the head of the table, coffee in hand, and let the silence stretch just long enough to remind them whose room this is.
“Gentlemen,” I say finally, smooth and steady. My voice carries without effort. “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”
“Not at all,” one says quickly, clearing his throat. “Bill Myers, here for Goldman’s Farm, Rochester. We… we got your email last night. Mr. Goldman couldn’t make it himself, but he wanted me to tell you he’s grateful. His family’s farm has been his life. Supplying grocers across the state, building something that mattered. He thought it was over. Until your interest came through.”
There’s a raw edge in his voice. Sincerity. Hope. I don’t hear that often anymore. Deals these days are all numbers and greed, no heart.
I lean forward, fingers steepled on the table, pinning him with a look that makes him shift in his seat. “Good. I want people at this table who give a damn. Goldman’s stood out because it isn’t just profitable, it’s respected. Respected businesses make me money longer than desperate ones. That’s why you’re here.”
Across from me, Chase flicks his gaze my way, one brow ticking up. He knows I don’t usually lay it on like this. I let him wonder if it’s the season softening me, or if it’s Lizzy’s influence bleeding through.
The next hour is a tug of war of questions, figures, the kind of back-and-forth I thrive on. Normally, I have to corner men like this into giving me something real. Today, they can’t stop pitching, can’t stop selling me on their worth.
And every time I glance at the file in front of me, I picture Lizzy’s hand sending the email that got them here. Her spark ignited this meeting before I ever walked in.
“That’s great,” Bill cheers. “Well, I don’t mean to rush things, but it’s a six-hour drive. If you leave today, he’d be willing to meet with you personally tomorrow.”
Normally, I’d discuss things with Chase first to iron out all the plans, but I’m caught up in the moment. “Of course. I can leave as soon as a few hours.”
To maintain my quota, I need to set things up with everyone as soon as possible. I take pride in my work and like to maintain or beat the listings from the previous year. It’s what makes me one of the best in the city.
Not to mention, I’ll need help. Someone who has been in this right along with me.
Lizzy would be the perfect person to bring along. She knows everything I do, if not more, and she’s been working so hard. Maybe a vacation is what we both need, even if we have to keep things professional.
Just getting to talk to her would be a bonus. It’s something very new for me, liking to listen to someone talk about nothing and everything all at once, but I’m a changed man, it seems.
“Great to hear,” Bill says and stands to shake my hand. “I’ll call him right away and get everything set up for tomorrow. I’ll email you the details.”
As they leave the room, Chase grabs my arm as I sit back down. “Dude. That was out of left field. Are you even ready?”
“Maybe, maybe not, but Lizzy is ready. She’s been working her ass off to get things done. I think she’s the one who sent out the emails. Either way, I’m going to need her help if I’m going to pull this out of my ass.”
Chase opens his mouth to speak, but instead, I stand and walk over to the doors, leaning my head out and calling for Lizzy.
“Lizzy, can I see you in here for a moment?” She turns quickly in her spinning office chair and gives me a surprised look before nodding. She straightens her skirt as she stands and rushes over to me.
On entering, she slips into the chair beside me, offering Chase a quick smile, but I catch the way her fingers knot together in her lap. “Is everything okay?” she asks, voice cracking.
Chase chuckles. “Relax. You’re not getting fired.”
She exhales audibly, lips twitching into a forced smile. “Actually,” I cut in, leaning forward. Her head snaps toward me. “I need your help. I know you sent those emails last night.”
Her eyes flare wide. “I—yes. I should’ve cleared it with you, but I thought?—”
I lift a hand, silencing her. “It was perfect. Whatever you wrote, it worked. But now it means I have to be in Rochester tonight.” I let the words hang for a beat before adding, “And I can’t pull it off without you. You’re coming with me. Consider it training… and a test.”
Her breath catches, color rushing to her cheeks. She glances at Chase, as if searching for backup. “Are… are all of us going?”
“No,” Chase says, shaking his head. “I’ll hold down the fort here. It’ll just be you two.”
When she looks back at me, excitement flickers in her eyes, mixed with nerves she can’t quite hide. “Oh. Alright then.” She stands, smoothing her skirt. “I’ll get my things.”
