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“Joe Storms,” I say through half-clenched teeth, turning around to meet the smug smile I know will be staring back at me. The last time I saw those green eyes, I was close to sucker-punching the man in the face and leaving an imprint of my hands on his smug features.
The same irritation boils in me now as I look at him, and the gleam in his eyes is mischievous enough to let me know that the only reason he’s here is to cause trouble.
“So, the rumors are true then,” he continues, slipping his hands into his pants pocket in a striking pose that makes me look him over. “Hart Holdings is poking around Sunny Aerospace, looking to acquire what’s left of their failing business for itself.”
“Whoever gave you that information, lied.” Joe Storms always has been the guy to get interested in whatever I wanted. At first, I didn’t pay attention to this because we were roommates and friends to an extent. I soon noticed a pattern after I caught him with my fiance.
We were enrolled in the same classes, played the same sports, and even hung out at the same locations. It didn’t mean much until he deliberately started picking fights with me.
After my break-up with Julia, Joe’s true colors became more evident. I recall the argument we had that night and the things he said.
You’re not better than me, Ethan … If you were, she wouldn’t have chosen me over you.
Joe’s voice draws me back to reality. “Did they?” He arches a brow. “Because Aerospace is going under one way or the other, and if you’re interested in picking up the pieces, then I am too. It’ll be just like old times … You and I are fighting for the same prize.”
Joe takes a step closer to me before adding in a low baritone. “And we both know I’ll win this one, just like I did in the past.”
It takes a lot of effort to control the surge of anger pulsing through me. I clench my jaw, determined not to give him the satisfaction of a reply.
The entrance doors slide open, and Nelly sashays out with her assistant trailing steadily by her side, speaking to her in rushed words.
“Mr. Storms,” Nelly says, once she spots him standing in front of me.
Joe turns around and greets her with a kiss on both cheeks. When Nelly grins at him, the bleak surge of jealousy makes my stomach tighten.
“Excited about lunch?” Joe asks her, and she nods before sparing me a glance.
“I’ll see you later,” she says before focusing on Joe again.
He holds the door open for Nelly, closes it after her, turns and salutes me before walking to the driver’s seat. Joe Storms is one man Nelly should stay away from. I’ve known him long enough to know that he wreaks havoc wherever he goes.
And I have firsthand experience of what that’s like.
***
A few days later, Nelly and I are going to have lunch with my grandfather at his condo in Bel Air to discuss our future plans. Robert Everhart is still the agile businessman he has been for most of his life, and it is always straight to business with him.
“Nelly, sweetheart,” he greets us when we arrive. “How long has it been?”
“Five years, Grandpops,” Nelly responds as they chuckle together.
The tension brewing in me since we arrived fades a little as I watch them together. Grandpops has always had a soft spot for Nelly.
“As always, you charm my heart,” he laughs. “Come, lunch is served in the garden.”
“How have you been, Grandpops?” I ask after we settle down for a minute and his waiter serves us a glass of water each.
“I haven’t seen you since our last discussion.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t think about what we discussed?” I ask when he smiles at me. “You know me, Grandpa. I never run away from a challenge.”
“Of course not. You’re an Everhart. I thought you better than to run away from anything,” Robert answers with pride before we both burst into laughter.
Nelly has a smile on as she watches us, and I clear my throat before speaking again. “What we discussed is why I’m here for lunch, Grandpa. Nelly and I have something to tell you.”
I place a hand over Nelly’s. “We’re getting married.”
Grandpops pauses for a moment, then he shifts his scrutinizing dark eyes from mine to Nelly’s.