6

“We know.”

Before he could say anything else, there was a knock at my door, and Jordan Hayes came in, holding a folder. He was the head of our team for Ridge Towers and oversaw every aspect of the project. An older man, he projected an air of calm and authority. He ran a tight crew, had great attention to detail, and didn’t believe in cutting corners.

“Great news!”

“What’s up?”

“We got a whole bunch of building permits pushed through. We’re right on schedule—in fact, ahead at this point. We’ll be breaking ground in a few months.”

Aiden and I exchanged grins. “You’re right, that is great news.”

“I’ll send you projected dates and you can start your marketing plans.”

“Thanks, Jordan.”

With a wave, he left.

“Bent will be happy to hear that news.”

“Yeah, he will.” Aiden reached for the file folder he had carried in. “He wants to go ahead with his idea of exploring other companies for marketing. He wasn’t happy with the last firm.”

“I know. Did you come up with some candidates?”

“Yeah. I got the research done, made some inquiries, spoke to them myself, and narrowed it down. A few candidates looked good. One in particular.” He paused. “Are you sure you want to be involved with this aspect? You usually stick to the numbers side.”

I pursed my lips in thought. He was correct, but lately, I’d wanted something different. Things in my department ran smoothly, and I found myself with extra time on my hands. Ridge Towers was going to be huge for us, and like Bentley, I wanted to make sure we had the best of everything for it. Including the marketing. The firm we’d used in the past had changed ownership, and we weren’t impressed with their new strategies or marketing plans.

“Yeah, I need a new project. This is such an exciting event for us, and I want to be involved with you and Bent on it.”

“Okay.” He handed me the folder. “Here’s our short list. We both have notes on the top three. You can speak to them and add your thoughts, and then we’ll start the process of face-to-face interviews, listening to their ideas, and picking one.”

“Great.”

“One is local. The other two are out of town. One of the firms stands out.”

“Which one?”

“The one based in BC—The Gavin Group. A family-run business. Great track record. I spoke with the owner and the guy who would be our rep. Straight shooter, no bullshit. Eager to hear about the project and create ideas.”

“We’ve never gone outside the city before. Bent likes having someone close.”

“That’s the added bonus. This group agreed to have a local person on hand at our disposal. We’d provide office space, and they’d provide the body until the contract is done.”

“Great. I’ll read this through and make some calls.”

“Okay. I’ll leave you to it.” Aiden stood, taking the envelope containing my wedding gift. “Thanks again, Maddox. Cami will love this.” He held out his hand. “I appreciate you thinking of us.”

I shook his hand and he left.

I spun in my chair, staring out the window.

Us.

I had never thought Aiden would be part of an us. Or Bentley.

I wasn’t sure what I had thought. Given our various traumatic pasts, it seemed inevitable we would stay married to the business, none of us willing to put ourselves on the line on a personal level.

But they had and were now happy.

I turned back to my desk, my gaze sweeping around my well-appointed office. Its organized appearance calmed me. My days were busy and productive. I knew what to expect. I was always prepared and ready. I controlled my department tightly, the same way I controlled my emotions. I wouldn’t allow anyone to take away that control.

That was what made me happy.

Or at least, it used to.

That evening, my phone rang, and I hit the speaker button, the file I had been reviewing open on my desk.

“Maddox Riley,” I announced.

“Richard VanRyan of The Gavin Group speaking.” A deep voice resonated over the line. “I believe you were expecting my call.”

“Yes, Mr. VanRyan. Thanks for returning my call this evening.”

“It’s Richard, please. You’re working late tonight.” He chuckled. “It’s past six here, so it’s going on past nine in Ontario, I believe.”

“I’m working from home, yes. I wanted to get the initial call taken care of.”

“Happy to be at your disposal. I’ve been reviewing your file. Quite the concept you have going with Ridge Towers.”

“We’re proud of it.”

“As you should be,” he stated. “I won’t take much of your time, Maddox. May I call you Maddox?”

“Of course,” I murmured.

“As I said, I’ve gone through your file and looked at your project. I’ve spoken to both Aiden and Bentley and got a feel for what they’re looking for. Do you have anything else you want to add to the mix?”

“Aside from the fact that this is a long-term deal and we want something classic and catchy that will carry the brand to its completion, not that I can think of right now. You do know you’re in the running with two other companies, yes?”

He didn’t hide his laughter. “Trust me, I have every confidence we’re the company you’ll go with. I’ll make sure of it.”

I liked his directness.

“We want a face-to-face meeting.”

“You name the time and date, and we’ll be there.”

“You’ll come here?”

“Aiden said you preferred that, so we’ll make it happen.”

I glanced at my notes. The local company had insisted we come to them so they had the home-field advantage, and the other had agreed to come to us, though I had sensed some reticence.

“Do you have any concepts?”

“I have an entire campaign done.”

Now, I was impressed.

“And if we don’t like it?”

“I’ll start again. However, I think you will. It ticks all your boxes. Classic, simple, but high impact. In addition, you’ll have us at your disposal for any changes, adjustments that you want to make. Here at The Gavin Group, our clients get the best. Every time.”

I smirked at his bluntness, even as I felt a grudging respect for it. I sensed he wasn’t bragging—simply stating a fact. I had gone through all the notes Aiden and Bentley had made. I’d looked through the various examples of their campaigns, along with those from the other candidates. I had reviewed the stats Reid had pulled for us, which were impressive. The Gavin Group had ranked as the top pick for both Aiden and Bentley. I made a decision based on all the facts we had accumulated and my first instinct speaking to Richard.

“I think we need to arrange that meeting.”

“Excellent,” he responded. “I’ll get my assistant in touch with Sandy. We’ll figure out the best dates, and Graham and I will fly in.” He paused. “I’m going to bring Rebecca with us. She’s the woman who will be in Toronto as our liaison with you. I’ve been training her myself, and she’s perfect for the job. You can meet her and us, and we’ll go from there.”

A chime sounded on my computer, and I glanced at the screen, smiling when I saw Dee’s face peering into the camera at my door. I pressed the key to unlock it and returned my attention to the call. “Sounds like a plan.”

“I’ll be in touch. Have a good evening, Maddox.”

“You as well, Richard.” I ended the call.

I jotted a couple of notes on the file. We’d meet with the three candidates, but after speaking to all the reps, I liked what I had seen and heard from The Gavin Group.

Dee appeared at my door, looking confused.

“There you are!” She laughed. “I’m not used to the door unlocking and no one there.”

“Sorry, I was on a call.” I tapped the screen. “I love this feature, I have to say.”

“Am I interrupting?”

“Not at all.” I waved my hand. “I need to finish this thought. Grab us a whiskey if you want.”

A tumbler appeared in front of me as I flipped the file closed and tossed my glasses on top. Dee and I clinked glasses, and I took a deep sip of the amber liquid with appreciation. I studied her over the rim, taking in her shining hair and casual attire.

She fidgeted under my scrutiny, lifting her thumb to her mouth. As I discovered that first day in the coffee shop, it was her biggest nervous trait. She worried at the skin of her thumb whenever she was upset or nervous. It hadn’t taken me long to notice her habit and to realize she often did it unconsciously.

“What’s going on?”