Charles frowns. “How long are you going to be gone? We have a company to run, Silvie. You can’t just take off like this, especially not now that you’re CEO.”
“I can run it just fine from anywhere in the world. And just because you ran it working twenty-four-seven doesn’t mean that’s how I’ll do things. We’re running this together. And I will have work-life balance.”
Wilby grins, trying to hide it. I can tell he’s so damn proud of her, just as I am.
“I’ll also be hiring an assistant for Wilby,” she continues. “Actually, two. They’ll be here in NYC. And Wilby might be coming to Coconut Beach as well.”
I don’t say a word.
I just sit there, watching her, knowing one thing for sure.
Anyone who ever thought she wasn’t cut out to be the CEO has no idea what hit them.
Leaving with Silvie feels different than when we arrived. She moves confidently and people nod and greet her by name. She stopped to shake hands, pat their arms, and remember their names. She laughed easily and was at ease. This is where she’s comfortable. It’s her world, and it’s fascinating to watch.
I stayed half a step behind her the whole time because I wanted her to feel supported. Coming here brought up a lot of feelings for me. And, in some ways, it made me start healing in ways I didn’t realize I needed to.
The doors open, and the doorman straightens when he sees her. “Ms. Montclair,” he says warmly. “Good to have you back.”
“Henry,” she beams. “Good to see you.”
I’m already thinking about getting air outside, stripping out of this suit, and going back to casual clothes, when his gaze shifts to me. He frowns slightly and studies my face. And the recognition hits me just as his eyes widen at the same time.
“Cal?” he says. “Cal Bennett?”
I turn to face him, and the city rushes back all at once. The version of me that was here six years ago.
“Henry,” I say carefully. “Hey, good to see you.”
He breaks into a grin. “I thought that was you. Wow, I haven’t seen you around in years. You look good.”
Silvie pauses beside me, and I can feel her confusion before I even look at her. She’s still, and her head is turned watching us.
Henry continues, “You just disappeared.”
His words hit harder than they should. But he’s not wrong. I did just disappear.
Silvie’s eyes continue to flick between us. She doesn’t say anything, just watches. I feel my shoulders tense, and I paste on a smile that doesn’t quite stick.
“Yeah,” I say. “It’s been a while.”
He shakes his head like he’s still catching up with me and not making things really messy. “Everyone talked about you back then.You were sharp and focused. We all thought you were headed somewhere big.”
Silvie’s breath hitches, and she says, “You two know each other?”
Her question changes everything between us.
“We worked at the same company together,” I say quickly. “A long time ago.”
As if the last part makes anything less confusing.
Henry laughs. “Long time? It’s only been what...five years? Feels like yesterday. Don’t disappear again, man.”
I swallow and look at Silvie nervously. Her brows are together and she looks so confused.
“Anyway,” Henry adds. “Good to see you, Cal.”
“Yeah,” I say. “You too.”
