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I stop.
Caleb pauses on his way to the door, half-turned.
I glance at him. “I’ll meet you downstairs.”
He hesitates just long enough to make his suspicion clear. Then he nods and leaves, pulling the door shut behind him.
And just like that, it’s quiet.
Just us.
“Yes, Ms. Carmichael?”
She stands. Smoothly. Controlled. But I see it in the way her hands press against the table before she steps out from behind it.
“I was hoping we could speak privately.”
“Seems like we are.” My voice stays even, though my jaw clenches.
She rounds the table, closing the distance between us like she doesn’t want anyone else to possibly hear what she’s about to say.
“I meant…” she exhales, glancing at the closed doors before adding, “candidly.”
I stay where I am, arms folded across my chest.
“By all means.”
“I think we should address the obvious.”
“The acquisition terms?” I quirk one eyebrow.
“The fact that we’ve met before.”
And you made a fool of me by giving me the wrong number?
Despite the words dancing on the tip of my tongue, I keep myself in check, eyes locked on hers. Unflinching. “Is there a point to this conversation, Ms. Carmichael? I have another meeting shortly.”
“Look, I just…” She exhales and leans against the boardroom table, relaxing her posture a little. “I didn't know who you were, OK? Not at the festival. And definitely not that you were in talks with my father.”
“And I’m supposed to believe the COO of a sinking ship was completely unaware an acquisition was on the table?”
Her lips press tight. A flicker of something like hurt knits her brow before it softens again.
“I knew there were offers,” she sighs. “My father didn't tell me he was seriously considering any. I found out today. Same as everyone else.”
I want to believe her. God help me, I want to.
She steps closer, arms crossed now like armor. “But that’s not why I asked you to stay.”
I tilt my head slightly, intrigued despite myself. “No?”
“Not the only reason, anyway.”
“Go ahead.”
“I wanted to make something clear.” Her chin lifts. “Despite how we met, this company is important to me. It employs three hundred and forty-two people. People who matter. People who deserve better than being reduced to a liability on your spreadsheet.”
There it is. That fire. That voice.