Semua Bab Keep the Girl, Lose the Deal: Bab 1 - Bab 10

"Ms. Jenner, I know you used to like Mr. Sutton, but he was never into you. When people started those rumors about you two, Mr. Sutton cleared it up with us in private. He said you were just coworkers."The moment those words left her mouth, the way everyone looked at me changed.Like I was some pathetic woman who'd thrown herself at a man, gotten rejected, and turned bitter.I looked at Eddie.He turned away and stared out the window.Not a single word.Eight years of a secret relationship.I'd handled impossible clients for him. Closed deals that kept his company alive. Sat through endless rumors about me chasing him while he stayed silent every time.And now, he couldn't even give me this one shred of dignity.Someone else jumped in."Josie, Mr. Sutton and Gina are already married. If you keep going after him, you're basically the side piece. What happens if clients hear about this?""Seriously. Stealing your mentee's man? Have some shame."I looked around at the coworke

Back then, Brody had stayed silent for a long time.But in the end, he still said yes.Looking back now, I was such an idiot.After dinner, I hid in the study and organized my handover files.My phone buzzed.A message from Eddie.[I'll be back late. Don't wait up.]I stared at it, then deleted our entire chat thread.By the time I finished, it was past ten.After a shower, I got into bed and opened social media.Gina's post was right at the top, uploaded half an hour ago.The photo was taken in the Meadowfair apartment.Eddie had his arm around a few friends while they played drinking games. Empty bottles covered the table.Caption:[He called me "kiddo" in front of his friends. Like, okay, do I really look that innocent?]The comments were all teasing her about how well her boss treated her.Everyone shipped them.I looked at the screen for two seconds, then closed the app.I wasn't sad.I wasn't angry.Whatever I'd felt for Eddie over the last eight years had tur

"Ms. Jenner, I heard you're getting married. Congratulations."Gina stepped closer and lowered her voice."You and Brody Blanco... that's real, right? It's not..."She trailed off, but the look on her face finished the sentence. 'You didn't hire him to put on a show, did you?'I didn't answer.Instead, I pulled out my phone and opened my chat history with Brody right in front of her.The latest message was from that morning.[The final fitting is tomorrow. I also grabbed those mini tarts from Westside you like for breakfast.]I scrolled up.Photos of the venue.A handwritten wedding-day timeline.Different wedding favor options for me to pick from.Every message showed the same thing.Thought. Effort. Care.Gina's expression shifted."Wow. Mr. Blanco is really thoughtful."I slipped my phone back into my pocket.Then I asked casually, "Did you and Mr. Sutton finish the divorce paperwork?"Her smile froze. "We... We're doing it today."She stumbled over the words."M

I looked at him and suddenly realized the face I'd stared at for eight years felt like a stranger's."Eddie." My voice stayed calm. "Brody waited twelve years for me."Do you know what twelve years means?"When I was in sixth grade and he was in ninth, I tripped in the hallway. He ran over to help me up. He already liked me back then."When I was in high school and he was in college, he came to see me every weekend. Brought snacks. Helped me with math."When I was in college and he was working, he was scared he'd distract me. So he never confessed. He just asked my mom to pass along stuff like, 'Study hard. Don't date yet.'"And during the eight years I worked at your company, he knew I had a boyfriend. He never got in the way. Every year on my birthday, he sent flowers to my office signed, 'An old friend.'"I met Eddie's eyes. "And you? You wouldn't even let people know we were together."The color drained from his face.His hand shook so hard the ring box slipped from his fi

"Josie Jenner." He looked into my eyes. "From today on, I'll never make you wait again."Wherever you want to go, I'll go with you."Whatever you want to do, I'll support you."And if anyone ever hurts you, I'll be the first one to stand up for you."Thunderous applause filled the ballroom.Serena was crying so hard she'd ruined her makeup.I smiled through my tears.Halfway through the ceremony, a commotion broke out near the entrance.Eddie had arrived.Alone.He wore a sharp suit and carried a wedding gift. His face was ghostly pale.Serena reacted first and rushed over to block him."Eddie, what are you doing here?""I'm here for the wedding." His voice was rough. "I'm your brother. I'm Josie's ex-boyfriend. Can't I at least congratulate her?"Serena started to stop him again, but I shook my head."Let him come over."Eddie walked up to me.His eyes locked on my white wedding dress. His throat worked."Congratulations." His hand shook as he held out the gift.I t