Page 79 of Cameron's Contract

Turning to face the window, shoulder to shoulder with my father, both of us took in the awe-inspiring vista of New York’s skyline.

Dad wrapped an arm around me.

CHAPTER 23

HENRY SAT ON the edge of the marble fountain, breaking off pieces of bread and feeding it to the swans. Their necks stretched out, eager for more.

I’d never known a time when we’d not had swans.

The lake twinkled in the moonlight.

We were both dressed in black tie, ready for dinner and itching for an end to all this formality. This etiquette was overly constricting.

For the first time since I’d landed in New York, a calmness descended on me as though only now I realized what we’d pulled off. The Cole name was destined to rule the tea market for decades to come.

I sat beside Henry. “I like it out here.”

“Me too.”

“It’s peaceful.”

He pointed to the swans. “Something tells me you and Mia are going to be like this pair here.”

“I hope so.”

He threw out another piece. “I’ve never seen you so happy, Cam. She’s your true north.”

“She’s been my rock through all this.”

“And you’ve been mine.”

“Please change your mind, Henry.”

He took a deep sigh. “Trust me, I’ve given it the thought it deserves.”

“And?”

“I watched you. The way your blood boiled in the boardroom, the respect you commanded because you refused to back down.” He balled a fist in passion. “I’ve never seen you so driven about anything.” His gaze lowered. “Other than Mia, of course.”

“I’m giving up everything. My world is upside down.”

“Doubt?”

“Cautiously proceeding.”

“Well you’ve made Mom happy. I heard her singing in the study. She was wearing overalls and painting the wall, hiding our evidence. I mean, fuck, talk about the most remarkable intervention I’ve ever seen.”

I threw my head back in a laugh.

“You think I’m joking,” he said.

“Can’t imagine it.”

“Trust me, I’ve tried to push that vision out of my mind.”

I pointed to the swans. “Do they have names?”

“Willow’s probably given them some. They remind me of you. Always so calm on the surface but underneath so much going on.”