AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She’s even nicer in person.” Nadia had a way of sneaking up on him. “I see why you fancy her so.”
Wes didn’t respond to Nadia’s attempt to gauge his relationship with Bree. It was safer to talk business instead.
“How are the two potential new hires doing?” His gaze swept the room, in search of any small details that might have fallen through the cracks.
“Smashing. It’s too bad we can only afford to bring one of them onboard. Don’t know how we’ll choose.”
“Maybe we won’t have to.” Wes held back a grin when Nadia’s eyes widened. He’d been so preoccupied with business and Bree that he hadn’t told her the news. “I’ve been talking with the Westbrooks over the past few weeks. They’d like to make us the official event-planning professionals for their London headquarters.”
Nadia squeezed his arm and mimicked a silent squeal. “I thought you were determined to do this without them.”
“I love and admire the Westbrooks, but I didn’t want to feel beholden to them. I went against everyone’s advice in starting this business—including Liam and his father. I needed to show them I could make it a success without their family’s power and wealth behind me.” He shrugged. “I’ve done that here.”
“And in the US? I know your best mate begged you to help him out on short notice, but I get the sense there’s more to it than that. Was working with Brianna the carrot that finally won you over?” Nadia grinned.
“Didn’t realize she was involved when I agreed to it,” he reminded her. An involuntary smile tightened his cheeks. “But working with her has turned out to be a highlight.”
“I knew it. You’re completely gaga over her, aren’t you?” Nadia could barely contain her excitement.
“How is it you’re more excited about this than my news about Westbrook International?” He raised a brow. “Especially since I’m promoting you to president of UK operations by the end of the year if everything works out in the US.”
This time Nadia’s squeal wasn’t silent. With the ruckus going on around them, few people noticed. She hugged him.
“I can’t believe it. Thank you for your faith in me. I was sure you’d bring some heavy hitter in to head things up here if the project went well across the pond.”
“You’ve been with me since the beginning. Back when we were working out of that mangy old flat. You were there every day and worked solely on commission. How could you think I’d trust anyone else to head up the business here?”
“You’re making me blush.” Nadia swiped a finger beneath the corner of her eye and sniffled. “Don’t expect this to put a stop to me meddling in your love life.”
“I don’t have a love life.”
“Precisely. But you deserve to be happy with someone like Brianna. I quite like her. So don’t you dare let her get away.” Nadia elbowed him playfully, but then her voice turned somber. “If you care for her the way it seems you do, you’ll never forgive yourself if you let her go.”
Wes massaged the knot that had formed at the back of his neck.
If only it was that easy.
CHAPTER 18
Brianna stood at the window taking a mental picture of the view from Wesley’s flat. She was trying to memorize it and everything about their past two weeks together in London.
The soft strains of Duke Ellington and John Coltrane’s version of “In a Sentimental Mood” drifted from the multi-room audio wired throughout his flat. She’d been listening to the song on repeat. It was Wesley’s favorite classic jazz standard. She’d heard it often in the weeks they’d been together, each time with more appreciation than the time before.
On their final night in London together, the song captured her mood brilliantly. Ellington’s ethereal piano notes combined with Coltrane’s smooth, somber sax made for a brooding, introspective piece reflective of both joy and sadness.
Exactly what she was feeling now.
Her chest filled with warmth as she reflected on the two weeks they’d spent together in London. Yet, a pervasive sense of sadness made her heart ache.
