Page 31 of Curious Hearts (The Healing Hearts #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

“The sustainability metrics on the Powell portfolio are up eight percent this quarter,” Zachary reported, sliding a graph across Jessica’s desk. “Significantly outperforming traditional investments in the same sector.”

Jessica studied the chart, a small smile playing at her lips. “Send this to the executive committee with my analysis. It’s further evidence that ethical investing doesn’t require sacrificing returns.”

“Already drafted for your review,” Zachary said, placing another document beside the graph. “I also included the comparison to conventional energy stocks, which underperformed by three percent in the same period.”

“Perfect. Thank you, Zach.”

Her assistant remained standing at her desk, an unusual hesitation in his typically efficient manner. “Was there something else?” Jessica asked, glancing up from the reports.

“The delivery you requested arrived.” He produced a small, elegant shopping bag with a discreet logo. “Delivery dropped off from John Atencio, the jewelers.”

Jessica accepted the bag. “I’m aware of that. Thank you, Zach.”

Zachary’s eyes flickered with curiosity, but he didn’t ask the question she knew was on his mind. “Will there be anything else?”

“No, that’s all for now.”

After Zachary departed, Jessica opened the bag, removing a slender midnight blue leather box.

Inside, nestled on velvet, lay a custom-designed platinum charm bracelet.

The delicate chain held ten charms: one for Chairman Meow, one for Waffle and another seven, one for each cat, meticulously crafted to capture their unique characteristics—Mr. Darcy’s imperious stance, Empress’s watchful elegance, Ernest’s six-toed paws, and the others’ distinctive features.

She ran her finger over the small heart-shaped tag, pausing at the inscription she’d deliberated over for days: “To Ali - Who helped me find home in the most unexpected place. With love, J”

That final word— love —had given her pause.

She’d almost changed it a dozen times, oscillating between safer options like “fondly” or simply her name.

But in the end, she’d chosen honesty. They hadn’t spoken those words to each other yet, but Jessica felt them with increasing certainty, and the inscription acknowledged what was growing between them without forcing a declaration.

Jessica had worked with the jeweler for weeks now, sending photos and describing each cat’s personality to ensure the charms captured not just their appearance but their essence.

She wanted something that showed Ali she truly saw her—not just her professional skills but her passion for these animals and the difference she made in their lives. .. and in Jessica’s.

“Is it too much?” she wondered aloud to the empty office, holding one of the charms—tiny Empress—between her fingers. But it wasn’t just the gift that concerned her; it was what it represented: her growing attachment not just to Ali but to this life.

She returned the bracelet to its box, tucking it into her desk drawer.

Tonight’s quiet dinner at the Victorian would be the perfect setting to give Ali the gift—intimate, private, just the two of them (and seven cats).

Jessica had been practicing her grandmother’s chocolate soufflé recipe all week, determined to finally master the temperamental dessert that had defeated her three times already that week.

The kitchen still bore evidence of her latest attempt—a deflated chocolate crater that Mr. Darcy had investigated with great interest before Jessica shooed him away.

But tonight’s attempt would be different.

She’d finally identified where she’d gone wrong—overbeating the egg whites, opening the oven door too soon—and was confident that this time, the soufflé would rise perfectly.

It mattered more than it should, this desire to share one of her grandmother’s recipes with Ali, to offer something of her kinder past alongside her present.

Her phone buzzed with a calendar alert: Cats - quarterly check-up reminder .

Jessica swiped to dismiss the notification, then hesitated, opening her personal calendar.

She’d meticulously tracked each cat’s health statistics, vaccination schedule, and behavioral patterns.

Ernest was due for his senior wellness check next week.

Mozart and Scout had shown improved socialization based on Ali’s integration techniques.

Mr. Darcy continued his reign of targeted destruction, though now primarily limited to items Jessica left on her desk rather than client presentations.

And Empress... Empress had taken to occasionally sleeping on Jessica’s pillow at night, a level of trust that still amazed her.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. “Ms. Taylor?” Zachary stood in the doorway, his usual composed expression tinged with concern. “Mr. Hamilton is here to see you.”

Jessica straightened, quickly closing her cat calendar. “I don’t have him on my schedule.”

“It appears to be an impromptu visit,” Zachary said, his eyes darting back towards the main office area.

Walter Hamilton never made impromptu visits. In the years Jessica had worked directly with him, every interaction had been planned, scheduled to a specific time. An unannounced appearance could only mean something significant, and likely problematic.

“Send him in,” Jessica said, standing to greet her mentor.

Walter Hamilton entered her office with the presence of someone accustomed to controlling rooms much larger than Jessica’s office. In his mid-sixties, with silver hair and impeccable tailoring, he embodied old-money Denver.

“Jessica.” He nodded, accepting her offered handshake. “You’re looking well.”

“Thank you, Walter. This is a pleasant surprise. Can I offer you coffee? Tea?”

“Nothing, thank you.” He settled into the visitor’s chair, his gaze traveling briefly around the room before returning to her face. “I’ve been reviewing the quarterly performance reports.”

Jessica resumed her seat, maintaining the poised expression that had earned her the nickname “the algorithm” within the sector. “The sustainable portfolios are exceeding projections. I was just discussing the metrics with Zachary.”

“Yes, I received your summary. Impressive results.” He placed his hands on his knees, leaning forward slightly. “Which makes what I’m about to discuss even more intriguing.”

Something in his tone put Jessica on high alert. “Oh?”

“I had drinks with James Kincaid last night. From Meridian Capital.”

Jessica’s pulse quickened, but she kept her expression calm. Meridian Capital was Hamilton Trust’s chief competitor, an investment firm known for their risk appetite and aggressive recruitment of the top talent.

“I believe they might approach you about heading up their new ESG division in London.” Hamilton’s eyes, sharp despite his age, missed nothing as he watched her reaction. “It would be a significant promotion for you.”

Jessica maintained her composure, though her mind raced.

She had received three missed calls on her cell from Miranda Durrant, Denver’s primary headhunter.

The same number of voicemails were sitting unread in her inbox.

She just hadn’t had the time to listen—or perhaps, subconsciously, she hadn’t wanted to.

“Miranda Durrant has called a number of times,” she acknowledged. “We haven’t spoken, but in light of what you’ve just told me, that would make sense.”

“Is it an approach you’ll be open to?”

Jessica paused. This entire conversation had caught her off guard.

“If what you’re saying is correct, then I’d ask for more information and discuss it with you after that.

” This wasn’t entirely true. In hindsight, she realized she’d probably been unconsciously avoiding Miranda’s calls, though she wasn’t ready to analyze her lack of curiosity on the matter.

Hamilton nodded slowly. “Meridian is building something ambitious. Global reach, significant resources, prestigious client list.”

“Sounds impressive.”

“You’d be a fool not to consider it.” His tone was measured, but decades of business negotiations had taught Jessica to detect the subtle currents beneath surface conversations.

“My commitment is to Hamilton Trust,” she said. “And to the sustainable investment strategy we’ve built together.”

“Your loyalty is commendable. But career advancement sometimes requires difficult choices.” Hamilton leaned back. “I didn’t come here to pressure you, Jessica. Quite the opposite. I want to ensure you’re making decisions with complete information.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning the executive committee has been discussing our own international expansion. We’ve been reluctant to move too quickly, but the market indicators are favorable.” He paused, allowing the implication to sink in. “A London office would require someone with your specific expertise.”

Jessica’s impassive expression faltered for just a moment. “You’re offering me a London position?”

“It’s under consideration. The committee votes next week.” He studied her with an astute gaze she knew too well. “Of course, if you want to hear Meridian out... Or if you’ve already made a decision?” He was fishing now.

“I haven’t spoken to anyone about this,” Jessica said. “As I said, if that is what Miranda is calling about, I’d gather more information and then talk to you before making any decisions.”

“Wise approach.” Hamilton stood. “The board’s official proposal will be ready by Thursday. I wanted to speak with you personally before the formal offer.”

Jessica rose as well, her mind whirling. “I appreciate that, Walter.”

“You’ve built something exceptional here, Jessica. The sustainable division exceeds all projections, and your client relationships are impeccable.” He moved toward the door, then paused. “London would be a significant opportunity for someone with your talents. Whether with us or with Meridian.”

After he departed, Jessica sank back into her chair. This was the international position she’d been working toward for years. The sixty-hour weeks, no social life, were all leading to this next step in her career path, and now she was finally achieving what she’d set out to attain.

So why did the prospect fill her with such unease?

She reached for her phone, her first instinct to text Ali about the unexpected development.

Her fingers hovered over the screen before she set it down again.

This wasn’t something to discuss via text, and involving Ali in career deliberations was crossing a boundary they hadn’t yet defined.

It was too soon to ask Ali to weigh in on a decision that could change both their lives.

Yet as she tried to focus on her afternoon meetings, she found her thoughts returning to Ali. To the cats. To the Victorian that was beginning to feel like home.

She pulled up Miranda Durrant’s voicemails, finally listening to what she’d been avoiding.

As Walter had predicted, Meridian Capital was calling to discuss a high-profile international position.

The woman was outlining an impressive compensation package without naming the company, clearly trying to entice Jessica since she hadn't responded to the earlier calls. The position would double her current salary and offer stock options and relocation assistance. Miranda’s voice grew increasingly enthusiastic as she outlined the opportunity: a corner office in Canary Wharf, a team of fifteen analysts, direct access to a hungry global client base.

Everything Jessica had worked toward since her first day at Hamilton Trust.

As evening approached, Jessica stared out her office window at the Denver skyline. The logical part of her brain—the part that had planned her career trajectory since undergraduate—knew this was the opportunity she’d earned. An international position with significant influence and compensation.

Yet the thought of leaving Denver now, of leaving the Victorian, the cats... of leaving Ali just as they were beginning to explore what they might be...

Her computer pinged, a reminder of dinner with Ali, as though she needed one. Jessica found herself staring at Ali’s name on the screen, a tightness forming in her chest that no amount of career advancement seemed capable of loosening.

For the first time in her professional life, Jessica Taylor didn’t immediately know what path to choose, and the decision before her wasn’t just London versus Denver—it was the life she’d planned versus the one she’d begun to love.