Page 45 of Curious Hearts (The Healing Hearts #2)
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Two hours later, Jessica stood in the elevator of Hamilton Trust’s downtown office, watching the floor numbers climb with increasing trepidation.
She’d stopped at the Victorian first, feeding the cats and changing into a charcoal-gray suit that felt like chainmail.
Her fingers traced the delicate gold pendant around her neck—it had been Vivian’s.
It seemed fitting to wear it, given she was the one family member who’d always found her own path.
The weekend’s determination felt more fragile here, surrounded by the trappings of the career she’d built meticulously over the years. What if she was making a terrible mistake? What if she was throwing away everything she’d worked for on a relationship that was still in its infancy?
The elevator doors opened on the executive floor, and Zachary was waiting, his expression a mixture of relief and concern.
“There you are! Walter’s been asking for you every fifteen minutes.”
“Good morning to you too, Zach,” Jessica said, accepting the coffee he handed her—prepared exactly as she liked it. “Any other emergencies I should know about?”
“Just the usual Monday chaos, plus the fallout from your...” he lowered his voice, “unexpected decision.”
Jessica sighed. “I take it word has spread.”
“Like wildfire,” Zachary confirmed, following her to her office. “Miranda Durrant called three times. Apparently, Meridian is ‘bewildered’ by your rejection. And Walter has been in closed-door meetings with the executive committee all morning.”
Jessica set her briefcase on her desk, the familiar space feeling simultaneously comforting and alien. “Sounds like a typical Monday.”
“Jessica,” Zachary said, dropping the professional facade slightly, “are you okay? This isn’t like you.”
She paused, considering the question. Was she okay? She’d rejected the career advancement she’d been working toward for years. Her mother wasn’t speaking to her. Her professional future hung in the balance. And yet...
“I’m better than okay,” she said, surprising herself with the truth of it.
Zachary studied her face. “It’s the woman with the cats, isn’t it?”
Jessica felt heat rise to her cheeks. “That’s none of your business, Zach.”
“It is if I need to start updating your contact information to include a Dr. Ritchie,” he said, a smile tugging at his lips. “I saw how you looked at her when she stopped by that time. For what it’s worth, I think she’s good for you. You’ve been different these past few months. Less...”
“Rigid?” Jessica supplied.
“I was going to say ‘intensely focused,’ but sure, less rigid works too.”
Jessica shook her head, but she was smiling. “Don’t you have work to do?”
“Always,” Zachary confirmed, returning to his professional demeanor. “Walter wants to see you in his office at eleven. And your mother called. Twice.”
Jessica groaned. “Of course she did.”
“I told her you were in meetings all day.”
“Thank you,” Jessica said, meaning it. “I’ll deal with her later.”
After Zachary left, Jessica settled at her desk, trying to focus on the quarterly reports waiting for her attention.
But her mind kept drifting between Ali—warm and tousled in the morning light—and the impending meeting with Walter.
She found herself repeatedly touching the proposal she’d prepared over the weekend: a detailed business plan for expanding Hamilton Trust’s sustainable investment division locally rather than internationally, complete with projected growth metrics and cost analyses.
A knock at her door pulled her from her thoughts. She looked up to find Walter Hamilton standing in her doorway, his usual imposing presence somehow diminished by what looked like genuine concern.
“I’ve read through your proposal,” Walter said with no preamble as he strode into her office, waving the document Zachary had delivered to him earlier.
“It has merit, but I want you to tell me why I should support this alternative approach when you allowed me to go in there last week, all guns blazing, pitching you as the new International Director.”
He pulled out the visitor’s chair across from her desk, then sat, crossing his legs in a typical alpha-male pose.
For a second, Jessica almost saw him as some sort of dastardly Bond villain, but clearly he wasn’t.
He was a man who liked to get his own way who had ended up, inadvertently, with egg on his face.
“I understand your frustration,” Jessica replied, maintaining eye contact. “But I believe this proposal actually offers Hamilton Trust significant advantages over sending me to London.”
“I’m listening.” Walter’s expression remained skeptical.
Jessica leaned forward slightly. “First, it’s cost-effective. Establishing me in London would require a substantial relocation package, housing allowance, and international travel budget. My alternative keeps our existing infrastructure intact while expanding our reach.”
“Money we’re prepared to spend for the right strategic positioning,” Walter countered.
“Second,” Jessica continued, “client retention. My sustainable investment clients have personal relationships with me that would be difficult to transfer. Several have already expressed concern about my potential departure.”
Walter’s eyebrow raised slightly. She’d hit a pain point—client relationships were the lifeblood of the firm.
“Third, we maintain our competitive edge in the Denver market, which is experiencing unprecedented growth in sustainable investment interest. The Boulder-Denver corridor is becoming a hub for environmentally conscious tech companies looking for ethical investment opportunities.”
“And fourth,” she added, “this approach allows for a more gradual, measured expansion into the international market. We can build the London office around specialists in European markets rather than transplanting our American expertise.”
Walter studied her for a long moment. “All valid points. But they don’t address the issue of my credibility with the board. I’ve spent weeks selling you as our international point person.”
Jessica nodded, recognizing the opening. “That’s precisely why you’re the perfect person to present this alternative.”
“Explain,” Walter said, his tone neutral but interest flickering in his eyes.
“The board respects your strategic vision,” Jessica said carefully.
“If you present this as a deliberate pivot—a response to evolving market conditions and client feedback—it demonstrates your ability to adapt and optimize our resources. Rather than simply executing the original plan, you’re showing the foresight to refine our approach based on new information. ”
Walter’s expression shifted subtly. “Go on.”
“You could frame it as your initiative—a strategic reassessment that better leverages our existing strengths while still achieving our international objectives. The board would see it not as a reversal but as thoughtful leadership.”
“And you?” Walter asked, his gaze sharp. “What do you get out of this arrangement?”
“I get to continue building the sustainable investment division I’ve worked years to establish, while still contributing to the firm’s growth. And I get to work with the mentor who’s guided my career from the beginning.” She met his eyes directly. “I’d rather succeed here than fail there.”
Walter uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. “You’re suggesting I take credit for your alternative proposal.”
“I’m suggesting we present a united front with you leading the strategic direction,” Jessica corrected. “The specifics of the sustainability division would still be my responsibility, but the overall vision would be yours.” She paused. “As it always has been.”
The subtle flattery wasn’t lost on Walter. His lips quirked in what might have been the beginning of a smile.
“I’ll need to consider the implications,” he said finally. “Sleep on it.”
“That’s all I can ask,” Jessica replied, careful not to show too much relief or eagerness. “The board meeting isn’t until Thursday. Whatever you decide, I appreciate you taking the time to consider the alternative.”
Walter stood, tucking the proposal under his arm. “You’ve always been my most strategic protégé, Jessica. Perhaps too strategic for your own good.”
As he left her office, Jessica let out a long slow breath. It wasn’t a yes, but it wasn’t a no either. For the first time since declining the London position, she felt a flicker of hope that her professional future might not be as compromised as she’d feared.