“That’s amazing, Liv,” I say, raising my glass again. “Nobody could represent the company better.”
“It’s going to be incredible,” she continues, eyes bright with excitement. “Full creative control, my own team. Daddy says it’s time the company appealed to a younger demographic.”
Derek beams with pride. “Olivia presented a comprehensive strategy that impressed even the board’s most conservative members. Our little social butterfly is showing her business acumen.”
Liv glows under his praise. “I’ve already started planning the launch event. Which reminds me—” She turns to me, “—I’m going to need your help. I want to feature local artists, and you have all the right connections.”
“Of course,” I agree, surprised but pleased she wants my involvement.
“And there’s something else,” Liv adds, lowering her voice dramatically. “I met a guy I like.”
Dad raises an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“It’s nothing yet,” she says quickly. “But he’s... different. In a good way.”
“Anyone I know?” I ask, curious about who could have caught my sister’s discerning eye.
“Maybe. I don’t want to jinx it by saying too much too soon.” She taps her perfectly manicured nails against her wine glass. “He hasn’t even asked me out.”
While we finish dessert, Liv can’t seem to contain herself any longer about her mystery man. Her eyes sparkle with a light I haven’t seen before.
“Okay, I can’t stand it. I have to tell you more about him.” She leans forward, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “His name is Ari. We met at the charity auction for the children’s hospital.”
“Ari.” I repeat the name, trying to place it. “Wasn’t he part of that tech investment group that Dad works with sometimes?”
Derek sets down his fork. “Ari Carter? From Vipers Ventures?”
“Yes!” Liv’s cheeks flush. “He was there representing their philanthropic division. We started talking about social media outreach strategies for nonprofits, and then...” She trails off, biting her lip. “We’ve been texting each other almost every day since.”
“Isn’t he a little... old for you?” Derek asks, his brow furrowing slightly.
Liv shakes her head. “That’s what makes him different. He isn’t immature like guys my age.” She gestures vaguely around the dining room. “He actually challenged me on some of my ideas for the campaign. Made them better. No one does that.”
I watch my sister carefully. This isn’t her usual gushing about a handsome face or impressive credentials. There’s something vulnerable in her expression.
Got it! Here’s the revised version with the private tour changed to a conversation:
“He and I had a great conversation the other day,” she continues. “He brought up something I mentioned in passing last week. He actually listens when I talk.”
“That sounds promising,” I say, genuinely happy for her if this does work out, as she has had her fair share of bums. “Does he know about your Instagram influencer status?”
Liv laughs. “He teases me about it. Says my followers don’t know the real Olivia Harrison.” Her voice softens. “Sometimes I think he might be right. There’s more to me than perfect posts and charity galas.”
I reach across the table and squeeze her hand. “I’ve always known that, Liv.”
The conversation shifts to my travels, and I find myself relaxing into the familiar embrace of family. For tonight at least, the strange encounter at the cliff and the mysterious Hunter Reed feel distant, like something from another life.
3
HUNTER
Iadjust my cufflinks for the third time as the Harrison mansion comes into view through the car window. For two weeks, I haven’t been able to shake the image of Harrison’s daughter standing in the rain, her face turned toward the sky, so close to the edge that a single misstep would have sent her plummeting. The vulnerability in her eyes, the quiet defiance in her voice, all of it has been playing on a loop in my mind.
“We’ve arrived, sir,” my driver announces, pulling up to the circular driveway.
The board made itself abundantly clear. My “Playboy lifestyle” was becoming a liability for shareholders. The constant rotation of models and actresses damaged our family-friendly image. Their solution? Marriage. Stability. Respectability.
Meeting Derek Harrison’s daughter on that cliff edge came at exactly the right moment. From my research, I quickly learned that the woman in question is Derek’s daughter, Olivia. And a merger with our companies would satisfy the shareholders in more than one way. A business arrangement, a stop to my “Playboy lifestyle”, and I get the woman I’ve become obsessed with. It’s a win all around.
