JULIAN'S POVI read the same email three times and still don't know what it says.Something about Q3 projections. Or Q4. Or quarterly something.All I can think about is her hand on my chest.The way she looked at me in that storage room. Like maybe…just maybe…she was considering it.My phone buzzes. Hargrove.Hargrove:Board meeting in 10. Conference room B. Don't be late.Shit. I forgot.I grab my files…wrong files, I realize halfway there, but whatever and make it to the conference room with two minutes to spare.Eight board members. All looking at me expectantly."Julian, glad you could join us," Hargrove says. Pointed. I'm never late to these."Traffic," I lie."In the elevator?"Someone snickers, but I ignore it."Let's begin," Hargrove continues. "First item: the Westfield merger. Julian, you were supposed to review the terms. What's your assessment?"I haven't looked at the Westfield file in two weeks."It's... progressing well. The terms are favorable.""Favorable how?""The
Last Updated : 2026-02-25 Read more