Jack
Iwas obsessing about Chloe. Was she really that attached to the homeless Santa? Wasn't he the one who had screamed at her in the alleyway? Maybe she felt guilty over her parents. I knew how that was—I was still wracked with guilt about Belle.
I needed to stop thinking about Chloe and start obsessing about finding tenants. Ever since Chloe and her Christmas baking had come into my life, she was proving to be a major distraction. She was drawing my attention away from both saving my tower and making sure my actual company remained successful.
"Earth to Jack!"
I shook myself. I was standing outside of the Platinum Provisions tower.
"Is Chloe some sort of magical Christmas elf who put a spell on you?" Liam joked.
"How did you know I was with her last night?" I practically yelled at my friend.
"I didn't," Liam said, looking slightly miffed. "But now that you mention it, I would say sexual frustration and a lack of Christmas cheer are making for one crabby billionaire."
"I'm not crabby," I muttered. "I'm just thinking about how this tower is so much better than Frost Tower."
"You mean besides the fact that it's all one tenant and we have a boutique hotel and the best Japanese restaurant on the East Coast and a public parking garage which, I don't know if you've seen the numbers on it lately, but that thing brings in mad cash. I guess it's true what they say—sex sells, but nothing sells like a parking space in New York City."
"Are you ready for the board meeting?" I asked Liam.
"Of course!" he exclaimed. "I love how they all just fawn over us."
"All of the board members are your brothers," I retorted as the elevator stopped on one of the upper floors that held the main conference room. Someone had decorated for Christmas since the last time I’d been there. The diffused winter light shone in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making the fake snow on the garlands glitter.
"I'm dreaming of a—" Liam started to sing.
I socked him in the stomach.
"Ooof," he gasped. "You're lucky I work out and have the most amazing abs, or you could have done some serious damage."
"I didn't hit you that hard," I retorted.
Greg Svensson and his half-brother Hunter Svensson were waiting inside the conference room. They both had the same dirty-blond hair and tall, broad build. They looked as if they were descended from Vikings except that now they were corporate mercenaries.
"I was told there would be snacks," Liam said by way of greeting. I shook hands with Hunter while Greg snapped at his younger brother.
"There will be lunch, but only after you two give your reports."
Liam fiddled with the presentation equipment. A Christmas carol blared over the sound system, and I winced.
"Greg is a Christmas Grinch too," Liam said over the din.
"Turn it off!" Greg yelled.
"Both of you need some Christmas in your life," Liam said as little naked Santas danced across the screen. Liam flipped to the next slide, and the music shut off.
"Honestly, Liam," Greg said.
"Is this what you all are up to in Manhattan?" Hunter said quietly. "Why am I not surprised?"
"I don't need your judgment," Greg snapped at his half-brother.
"Can we please move this along?" I said. Chloe was supposed to make me dinner tonight.
"He has a hot date," Liam said.
"I don't!"
