Page 128 of The Husband Contract

“We’re going to kill this presentation. We’re going to get the biggest funding offer anyone has ever gotten for a bed and breakfast… or at least, hopefully.” I laugh.

The boardroom door opens and Sebastian walks over to me, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Hi, Katherine. Hi, Brielle.”

“Hi, Sebastian,” they chorus back, smiling.

“You girls ready?” he asks.

“Absolutely,” I say.

“Okay, well, head into the boardroom. The gentlemen are seated. I’ll introduce you all, and then we can get started.”

“Perfect,” Brielle says.

I walk in behind Sebastian, then Brielle follows me, and Katherine comes last. All the men are seated at the table—except Jack, who’s standing with his back to us, looking out the window.

“Hey everyone, I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Willow. These are her business partners, Brielle and Katherine.”

“Ladies, I’d like you to meet Santiago Diaz, Levi Probst, Flynn Alexander, Nate Howard and…” At that moment, Jack turns around.

His handsome, stoic face is framed by a blue pinstriped suit. His eyes are light, his facial hair dark, and I can see tattoos under the sleeve of his shirt on his arm.

Katherine gasps next to me.

“He’s cute, right?” I whisper.

Her jaw drops, eyes wide.

“Jack Heathcliff,” she says, disdain in her voice, and my heart sinks.

Jack’s eyes narrow. He walks over to us, stopping in front of Katherine.

“Katherine…”

“No, no,” she groans loudly.

He stares at me, then Brielle, and then finally Sebastian, who looks confused.

“What’s going on here? Is this a… joke?” Katherine groans.

I take a deep breath, not liking where this is going.

“Remember my ex?” she asks, voice turning shrill. “The jackass who broke up with me because his family didn’t approve?”

Brielle shoots me a nervous glance. This is not going as planned.

Katherine points at Jack. “Well… that’s the big brother who called me a skank and ruined my relationship. Mr. Jack Heathcliff. How’s Zac, by the way?”

“Oh… shit,” I mumble under my breath. Zac Heathcliff was Jack’s brother? How had I not figured that out? Zac had been the biggest asshole and I knew he’d really hurt Katherine. This was a hot mess.

Jack shakes his head. “Well, well, well, Katherine, Katherine, Katherine. We meet again.” He looks her up and down and there’s a smug expression on his face. “Still walking those Victoria Secret runways?” He asks and I wonder what he’s talking about.

“I’m not doing this,” Katherine mutters, glancing at me before stalking toward the door. “There’s no way in hell I’m doing a business presentation to that prick.”

I lick my lips nervously. Sebastian hurries over to me.

“What’s going on?” he asks.