Page 6 of Discretion

“Thanks for coming,” Darla said once we were alone. “And for being a good sport to answer their questions.”

I chuckled. “Your friends are fun. So…” I nudged her. “I actually came here to ask you something.” I took a deep breath, bracing for the rejection I assumed was coming. But still, if I didn’t ask, I wouldn’t know. “No one compares to you, and I’m willing to be flexible on hours if you only want to come in part time. You can even keep your same salary.”

“So you’re going to pay me more to work less?” I saw an unmistakable twinkle in her eye. “That doesn’t sound like a savvy business move, Mr. CEO.”

Maybe not, but some things just made sense. And not all business decisions were based solely on money.

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get you to come back.” I took her hand in mine and knelt to the floor, knowing Darla would appreciate a dramatic gesture. “Please say yes.”

She paused, looking me dead in the eye. “Will you tell me who your mystery London girl was?”

My stomach dropped. I could never tell anyone about Halle. I would never betray her trust like that. Not even to Darla, the woman who knew almost all my secrets.

I stood slowly, releasing her hand to take a step back. “No.”

“Then I’m not coming back,” she deadpanned.

“Seriously, Darla?” When I realized she was joking—at least about her reasons for being unwilling to return—I added, “You’re a pain in my ass.”

“And you’re a pain in mine.” She hip bumped me.

We laughed. It was said out of love. But I really did need her. She kept my life on track, and now that I was CEO—now that Halle was moving to LA—I needed Darla’s calming, assertive presence more than ever.

“How am I supposed to run the company without you?” I asked, feeling adrift. All the temps the agency had sent had been underwhelming, if not outright incompetent.

“I have faith in you,” she said with the utmost sincerity. “You just need to have a little more faith in yourself.”

“What if I was willing to tell you who London Girl was?” I was almost desperate enough to do it too.

She shook her head. “You’re always welcome to tell me.” Then she took my hand in hers and placed her other one on top. “Jasper. You know I love you, honey. But I gave that company thirty years of my life. I’ll always be here for you, but it’s time for my next chapter.”

I wasn’t above begging, but I sensed that nothing would persuade her to change her mind. It was unfortunate but not surprising.

She pulled me in for a hug. “Take care of yourself. And next time you come to Book Club Bitches, be sure to read the book first.”

I scowled. “Maybe I would’ve if you’d given me a heads-up.”

She shrugged. “I told your assistant.”

I gnashed my teeth. I really needed to find someone new.

CHAPTER TWO

“So…don’t hate me,” Zara said, unwilling to meet my eyes.

As if I could ever hate her. Zara was my best friend.

“What’d you do now?” I teased.

Zara and I had spent the day visiting all our favorite haunts. It had been fun but bittersweet. After a decade of living in London, I felt more at home in this city than the small town in Oregon where I’d grown up. And while I’d miss everything from the accents to the architecture, I was going to miss Zara the most.

She sipped her sparkling rosé from her perch on my bed. Kai was spending the weekend with his dad, Craig, before we moved to the States. Part of me still couldn’t believe Craig had agreed.

I’d been in overdrive the past few weeks, trying to wrap up things at the London office for my boss, Sloan. Coordinating her move as well as preparing for my own. Obsessing over what to take and how my five-year-old son was going to adjust to me uprooting our life.

Kai seemed to alternate between excitement andapprehension, as did I. But I also wondered if I was making a huge mistake. It was exhausting.

“I set up a profile for you on a new dating app,” Zara said in a rush.