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Greta looks into the near distance, deep in thought.

“What?”

“I just wonder how this will affect the project.”

“Jesus, have some compassion, Greta.”

She glares at me. “I do have compassion for her, but I’m also a CEO responsible for a multimillion-dollar business with hundreds of employees across the country counting on me. So, excuse me if I consider how the lead contractor’s emotional state will affect a pivotal moment in our company’s history.”

“You don’t have to worry about me fucking anything up. I told her that I realized now why she needs space.”

“Is that what you want?” Greta asks.

“Hell, no. I think about her constantly and I want to be with her every moment of every day. But that’s what she needs, and I’m going to respect it. I don’t want to be a rebound.” I look Greta in the eyes. “I want this to last.”

Greta raises her eyebrows. “That’s very mature of you.”

“Yeah, well this trail guide isn’t a total idiot.”

“Don’t listen to Shae.”

“She’s right, though. Audrey is out of my league.”

“Yes, she is,” Greta says, twisting the knife that Shae stabbed into my heart earlier. “But she won’t be forever.” She turns completely toward me and looks me dead on in the eyes. “I think Audrey is great for you, Toni. She challenges you in a completely different way than you’ve ever been challenged, and you’ve risen to it. The work you’ve done so far has been impressive. The way Audrey read your strengths and weaknesses and figured out a way for you to succeed?” Greta shakes her head in amazement.

Max walks back up to us and leans on the bar. “What did I miss?”

Greta’s focus is still on me. “I’m not an idiot, Toni. I’ve seen the way you look at her, and the way she looks at you.”

My heart flutters at that. So, I haven’t been reading into Audrey’s expressions what I want to see if Greta sees it, too. Excitement courses through me. OK, fine. It’s lust coursing through me.

“And I’m not looking forward to watching you moon over her for four days in Aspen,” says Greta.

“They’re coming to Aspen?” Max asks.

“For Christmas,” I say.

Greta continues. “I probably don’t show it as much as I should, but I care about you, Toni. I think there’s as good a chance that Audrey is perfect for you as there is that she will break your heart, and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I think it’s too late for that,” I say.

Greta heaves a huge sigh. “Whatever happens, do not let the fallout affect the company, your job, or Audrey’s project.”

“It won’t. I promise.”

“Good. Because I’ve had Finance run the numbers and if we achieve what you want to with the adventure division, it’s going to be a huge revenue stream for us, and it will also increase sales in our core areas.”

Leave it to Greta to bring it all back to money. I’m about to call her out on it but she keeps speaking.

“But Mom and Dad only got me to agree to bring you into corporate if I had the authority to fire you without their interference, and if you fuck up this project because you’re sleeping with Audrey, I will fire you.” She takes her drink, and one beer, and walks back to the table.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

AUDREY

I watch Toni and Greta at the bar, obviously in a tense conversation, no doubt about what happened a few hours ago. The four of us have spent the last hour listening to bad karaoke and drinking beer, talking about lighthearted subjects.

“The answer is yes,” Willa says.