Page 74 of Logan

“You need to relax, Valeur. Life isn’t all about business, trust me.” He straightens in his seat. “I used to be like you. Working around the clock. Addicted to my career, my entire life revolving around the office. Until I was hospitalized with chest pains. The doctors told me I was at risk of a heart attack and that I needed to take my foot off the gas, have some fun, take a few vacations.”

I shake my head but he continues.

“But I didn’t know anything else. What do I have in life besides work, I said. But then a friend convinced me to go to a club one night, and that’s where I met Valentina. She changed my life, taught me that there are other pleasures in life besides work, and I’m not just talking about sex, although that’s obviously important too.” He chuckles.

What else is there besides sex? Love is just fiction sold to us so we’ll buy products. He can’t really believe in it, can he? I nod anyway, pretending to play along.

“And to answer your question, yes, we have a deal.” He extends his hand, and I shake it, restraining myself from sighing in relief. The evening at the club wasn’t a waste of time, after all.

We spend the rest of the morning hammering out the finer details.

By the time I exit his office, it’s nearly noon.

I feel several pounds lighter. I did it. I closed the biggest deal Valeur-Tech has ever had, even in my dad’s time. Sure, I have to spend another torturous evening with Wolfson and his wife, but it’s worth it.

I send a few messages to Dad and Liam to update them and glance around. All these people, walking along at their own pace, completely unaware of the momentous occasion. The fact that this deal is going to place Valeur at the apex of technology, at the forefront of the medical high-tech field.

Neither Dad nor Liam replies. Shit, they’re probably still asleep, and I want to tell someone.

Sloane.

Sloane will be thrilled. She developed the fucking product. She’ll probably be over the moon with excitement. I dial her number.

“H–hey Logan,” she answers, panting.

An image of Sloane lying naked beneath me, making those little breathless sounds, as if she can’t get enough air from sheer arousal, flashes through my mind.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m outside, walking. What’s up?”

“I closed the deal with Wolfson. We’ve got the cameras. Your product is a go. Thought you’d want to know.”

“Really?” She lets out a squeal of delight that has meholding the phone away from my ear for a moment. “Wow. That’s amazing. I can’t believe it. So my drunken jokes at the club didn’t ruin anything?”

“No. On the contrary. It seems he and his wife rather enjoyed the whole thing.” I spare her the details about their post-club sexcapades.

“Let’s go celebrate.”

“Celebrate?”

“Yeah, you know. Nothing fancy, just walk around a bit, eat something delicious, maybe drink a beer. Celebrate. You’re familiar with the concept, right?”

“Haha. Where are you?”

“I just arrived at this food market, looking for a place to eat. It’s called Spitalfields. Know it? The guidebook says it’s a must-visit spot. Want to join me?”

Food market.

Meaning crowds. Masses. People. Noise.

Sloane.

“Yeah. I know where it is.” I glance at my watch. “I’ll be there in twenty.” I hang up and wave down a taxi instead of calling my driver.

I find Sloane waiting for me at the entrance. She’s wearing jeans that cling to her like a second skin, emphasizing every curve, and a white shirt that’s tied at her waist. Her hair cascades over her shoulders, and despite her simple attire, she looks like the most radiant woman in the area.

When she spots me, she waves her hands while sprinting toward me and then leaps into my arms for a hug.