Page 26 of Accidental Mile High Vows

And I’m running out of patience.

I pick up my office phone and dial her extension.

She answers on the third ring. “Savannah Castellanos.”

“Ms. Castellanos. This is Ledger Volkov.”

Silence.

“Mr. Volkov. How can I help you?” So formal. So professional.

“I need you to accompany me on a business trip,” I say. “Chicago. Three days. We leave Monday morning.”

“I…Chicago?”

“Hotel acquisition. I need someone from marketing to assess the property and the local market. You’re the best person for the job.”

“I’m sure someone else could?—”

“I’m not asking someone else. I’m asking you.” I let authority slip into my voice. The tone that makes people jump. “Be ready Monday at six AM. My driver will pick you up.”

“Mr. Volkov?—”

“That’s all, Ms. Castellanos. Have a good weekend.” I hang up before she can argue.

Silas walks in a moment later. “Did you just assign her to a business trip?”

“I did.”

“To Chicago? Where she used to live?”

“Yes.”

“And you don’t think that’s going to freak her out?”

“Probably.” I lean back in my chair. “But she can’t avoid me forever. And if she won’t come to me, I’ll make sure we’re in the same place with no escape route.”

8

SAVANNAH

The south stairwellhas become my best friend.

I’m on day five of taking these stairs instead of the main elevators, and my calves are screaming. Forty floors is no joke. But it’s worth it to avoid running into him.

I push through the door to the fortieth floor and nearly collide with Jenna.

“Whoa!” She steadies me, coffee sloshing in her cup. “Careful! You okay?”

“Sorry. Wasn’t looking.”

“You’ve been distracted all week.” She falls into step beside me as we head toward our desks. We started on the same day three weeks ago, and she’s been the closest thing I have to a friend here. “Seriously, what’s going on? Ever since that presentation, you’ve been weird.”

“All good. Just a lot in my head.”

“You’re taking the stairs forty floors every day. That’s creepy.” She lowers her voice. “Is it because of what happened? With Mr. Volkov clearing the room? People have been talking about it.”

“It was just a misunderstanding,” I say quickly.