Page 52 of Inevitable

I sipped my Rusty Nail, realizing I’d been so absorbed with Sumner that I’d completely zoned out. “What do I think about what?”

“Sumner’s proposal for me to lease the old Masonic lodge.”

Sumner appeared to be holding her breath, practically vibrating in her seat. I’d spent some time this morning looking over the specs, and she was right. It could be a great fit—both the size and location. Though it would need some work.

“It’s a great option,” I said. “What do you think, Tom?”

Tom stood and offered me his outstretched hand. “Consider it a done deal. Send the papers over, and we’ll make it happen.”

I nodded woodenly, my head spinning as I glanced to Sumner. Holy shit. Had she just closed one of the biggest deals of the year?

“And thank you, Sumner.” Tom shook her hand after we’d both stood. “If you ever get tired of this schmuck—” he hooked his thumb toward me “—I’d be thrilled to have you.”

I nearly growled at the suggestion in his tone. Instead, I placed my hand on her lower back, possessiveness surging through me. And yet…all we had was this week, and it was slipping away.

“Thank you,” Sumner said, turning to me. “But I’m very happy with Wolfe.”

I smirked to myself, enjoying the way she’d put him in his place and so very clearly established she was with me. She was young, but she was a skilled negotiator. She was classy and professional, and I was falling for her.

Fuck.

Chapter Fifteen

“You’re awfully quiet,” Jonathan said as we stopped at another red light.

I’d been quiet during most of the ride, absorbed in my thoughts. I should’ve been exultant, celebrating the huge deal we’d just secured, thanks to my research. But the mood was decidedly less joyful. It was our last night in New York, our last nighttogether. And I wasn’t ready for it to end. Did he feel the same way?

“Just thinking.” I brushed a strand of hair away from my face.

“About what?”

“Dinner. Business,” I said, though I had a lot more on my mind than that. The past. The future. Men and my questionable decisions when it came to them.

“You were amazing tonight. Tom was an ass, but you handled him with grace and poise,” he said.

I barked out a laugh, thinking of how much Tom had reminded me of Nico. “Boys will be boys, right?”

“Bullshit.” A muscle twitched in his jaw. “Are you telling me something like this has happened to you before?”

I lifted a shoulder, turning my attention toward the window and the city beyond. I loved the lights, the movement, the noise. Everybody had a story to tell. Everyone had a dream. I had a dream, and I’d let one man try to talk me out of it. And another had encouraged me to pursue it.

“Sumner,” he growled.

“I…” I swallowed. “I haven’t always made the best decisions when it comes to men. And my last relationship—if you could even call it that—well, I wish I’d done things differently.”

His voice was gentle when he spoke. “Different how?”

“I wish I’d stood my ground more often. Wish I hadn’t allowed him to make me doubt myself.” I turned my attention to the skyline once more. “Why are we even talking about this? It’s our last night in the city, and I can think of literally a million things I’d rather be doing.”

“You don’t seem to have any problems standing your ground with me.” I could hear the smile in his voice, the pride.

I considered it a moment. “I do, but it’s not as much of a struggle as it used to be.”

“I’ve noticed that too, especially this summer. Why do you think that is?”

I twisted my hands in my lap. “Because I promised myself that I’d start using my voice and trusting my gut.”

“I’m glad you did,” he said, placing his hand over mine, stilling my movements.