“The only thing I can do is make sure any negative publicity is squashed as soon as it appears.”
“Have you told Cassie about the board of directors?”
“I don’t need to. They’ve approved the rebrand of the company and no one seems eager to get rid of me.”
Jack snorted. “That’s because the last quarter’s financial results have been released. The shareholders received their biggest dividend payment yet. If the board removes you from the chief executive role, they’ll be fired.”
“I’m not taking anyone’s loyalty for granted.” Noah could have said a lot more, but it wasn’t worth it. Jack had his own problems and didn’t need to hear about Noah’s.
“That sounds like something Granddad would say.” Jack rose from the chair. “What time do we need to be at the Rockefeller Center?”
“Seven o’clock, but bring Granddad to my apartment at six. That way, you and Granddad can spend some time with Cassie before you leave.”
“Sounds good.” Jack looked uncertainly at Noah before picking up his briefcase. “Cassie is probably a good person, but be careful. If your relationship with her ends, you’ve got more to lose than most people.”
Noah didn’t need to be reminded about the contract Cassie had signed. She didn’t know it yet, but she was the new face of his company. If she left, the rebranding of his company would be a disaster and he would be lucky to keep his job.
“I know what I’m doing.”
Jack’s eyebrows rose. “You said the same thing before you asked Tasha to marry you.”
And they both knew how that had ended.
Cassie liftedher suitcase off the carousel at LaGuardia Airport. The presentation of the award from Wilson Enterprises was tonight and, for the last week, she’d worked hard, completing as many jewelry orders as she could.
Four hours into her flight, she’d realized how difficult it would be for anyone to divide their time between Manhattan and Sapphire Bay. It wasn’t only the physical distance that would be an issue. Traveling for seven hours in each direction would take a toll on anyone’s life.
A woman with two children clinging to her skirt reached for a large bag. Cassie pushed her own suitcase to one side. “I’ll get that for you.”
The woman sent her a relieved smile. “Thanks. It’s not easy traveling with my children.”
Cassie looked at the little boy and girl. She smiled when the little boy hid behind his mom’s legs. He was the same height as his sister and had the same curly red hair and bright blue eyes. They couldn’t have been more than five years old and they were definitely twins.
“Your children are adorable. Do you have any more luggage?”
“There should be another three bags coming through.” The woman lifted the suitcase onto an airport cart. “I can get them. I don’t want to hold you up.”
“It’s okay. My boyfriend won’t be here for another half hour.”
“You don’t know how much I appreciate your help. I’m Emma and this is Dylan and Molly.”
Cassie smiled at the two children and shook their mom’s hand. She was sure she’d seen Emma before, but she didn’t know where it would have been. “It’s nice to meet you. Are the other suitcases the same size and color as this one?”
“They are. Look for the red bows on the handles.”
Between the two of them, they wrestled the bags off the carousel and loaded them onto the cart. It turned out Emma lived in Sapphire Bay. She’d moved there last year. Like Cassie, she’d started her own business, creating websites for clients and managing their social media accounts. Emma had come to New York to spend time with her parents.
As they walked into the arrivals area, Cassie held Molly and Dylan’s hands. Their tiny fingers curled around hers, trusting that she wouldn’t lead them astray.
When Cassie saw Noah standing beside a metal rail, she smiled. Confidence, intelligence, and kindness surrounded him like an invisible cloak, and made her wish they didn’t live so far apart.
He met her halfway across the walkway and hugged her tight. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” She felt a gentle tug on the leg of her pants and smiled. “Noah, this is Molly and Dylan, and their mom, Emma. We met by the luggage carousel.”
Emma shook Noah’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I don’t know what I would have done without Cassie’s help.”
Noah looked at the suitcases. “You’ve got a few suitcases. Cassie and I are heading into Manhattan. Would you like a ride?”
