Page 55 of Discretion

We’d both been busy, and he didn’t owe me anything. But it felt as if he’d put up a wall between us, firmly delineating our positions as employer and employee. This was what I’d asked for after all—professionalism. I should’ve been happy or, at the very least, relieved. And yet, it felt so hollow.

“Besides,” I added. “I’m representing my boss.”

“You can represent your boss while ogling her brother.”

I rolled my eyes, remembering the purpose of the evening. “Jasper’s going to have more than enough people ogling him. Did I tell you it’s a bachelorx auction?”

“What?” Her eyes widened. “No. If you had, I wouldsobe there right now.”

I laughed. “I’ve been a little busy. Must have slipped my mind.”

Okay. A lot busy.

Evie had been born several weeks early, but fortunately, she hadn’t ended up in the NICU. Even so, her unexpected arrival meant that Sloan’s maternity leave had come sooner than expected. I’d thought I’d have more time to preparemyself for being an SVP, but I’d thrown myself into the role.

In addition to juggling all that, I was helping my parents from afar, managing the move for my dad and the endless associated paperwork. Trying to house hunt, though that had definitely been put on the back burner lately. Even so, I’d texted regularly with Alexis, and she’d invited me out with some of her girlfriends. I also needed to find a new pediatrician for Kai, though I hadn’t had much time or success so far. I needed to ask Alexis and Emerson who they took their kids to.

“Mm-hmm. Sure. So…” Zara leaned in. “Who else is on the auction block?”

I listed off a few names, her eyes growing wider with every celebrity or pro athlete I mentioned. Finally, I asked, “Wanna trade places?”

I might love this dress and the way I felt in it, but I would definitely consider trading places. It was my first major event as the temporary SVP, and most of the board members would be in attendance. But that wasn’t even why I was dreading the evening ahead. I was going to have to stand in the audience and watch while gorgeous, wealthy women bid on Jasper.

But at least I would look fabulous while doing it, thanks to Jay.

“Yes! But also—” She narrowed her eyes at me. “No! Halle, you have worked your butt off for this promotion. You deserve it. And you look fucking amazing.”

Before I could respond, Sloan’s name popped up on my screen.

“Shit. I have to go. Sloan’s calling.”

“Go.Go!And have fun tonight. Find a hottie to let loose with. Preferably one who’s not your boss or anyone related to your job.”

I laughed, though there was a bitter edge to it. Zara was right. I needed to stop being so hung up on Jasper. But how could I not be when he made me feel seen and safe and…

“I’m serious, Halle,” Zara said.

“Yeah. Yeah. Talk soon.” I ended the call before answering Sloan’s. “Hey, Sloan.”

“Hey! I just wanted to thank you again for attending the gala for me.”

“Of course. Is everything okay?” I was surprised she’d called. I knew she trusted me to handle it, and I figured she’d be busy with Evie.

She looked tired, defeated. Her shoulders rounded. “Yeah. I’m just… I’ve never missed one of the Huxley Family Foundation events.”

“You have a good reason for not attending,” I said. “You just had a baby. I know everyone will miss you, but they will understand.”

“It’s not everyone else I’m worried about.” She frowned. “So much for the Three Musketeers,” she said more softly.

“The Three Musketeers?” I asked.

“That’s what we used to call ourselves—Jasper, Graham, and me. We’re close with Knox and Nate, of course. But the three of us were a unit. Especially after our grandparents died and we took over running the company.”

I couldn’t imagine what they’d gone through. First, losing their parents at such a young age. And then—many years later—losing both of their beloved grandparents in quick succession. I was still trying to cope with the fact that my dad had Alzheimer’s.

I was grieving the man I knew and the memories we’d shared. Memories that he no longer retained—at least, not reliably. Sometimes when we’d video chat, he seemed to be able to recall so much, and yet others…nothing at all. It was a painful experience to know that he was there—at least in body. But there were many times that he didn’t feel like “my dad.”

I was so much older than Jasper and Sloan and the rest of their family had been when they’d had their lives completely upended by loss, and yet, it was still heartbreaking. I still felt woefully unprepared to cope with it. I couldn’t even imagine trying to do so as a child.