Page 23 of The Jaded Notes

“It sounds like you’re trying to sell me, Trent.” Livianna grabs an electric wine opener, uncorks the bottle, and pours us all a glass. She hands them out. “But it’s true. I like to host friends at my house, but only those I am comfortable with.”

“Then I feel quite honored.” I swirl the Cabernet Sauvignon and take a whiff of the notes. Black currant and caramel stand out, and I savor the first sip.

“And I’m grateful you’re both here to enjoy the night with me.” She blushes and stares into my eyes.

“Wonderful choice.” I dip my chin in appreciation.

Livianna smiles. “Thanks. I can’t say I know much about wine. That was my mom’s gift.”

“It’s delicious.” Trent moves to the couch and pats the seat next to him.

Livianna takes the cue and snuggles into his side. My stomach tightens.

Are they together romantically?

Trent has made some offbeat comments, but I instinctively took them as playful ribbing and flirtation. Maybe I’m reading their relationship all wrong and letting my emotions cloud my judgment.

I tilt my head toward the two of them. “So, how exactly do you two know each other?”

“We met in our advanced luxury design class.” Livianna takes a sip of her wine and places it on the coffee table. “We took one look at each other and just knew we were meant to be.”

“Two peas in a pod.” Trent slides his arm around her shoulders. “Even our taste in materials and line work is similar.”

Together, they say with a laugh, “Fate.”

Fate. The word hits like a slow-drip toxin. I introduced her to exploring the idea, and now she shares it with him.

Just how deep is their connection?

I try to relax my tense jaw. “You said your dad is in real estate, Trent. Did your fathers ever do business together?”

His expression grows serious. “Actually, no. I can see where you might think Livianna and I knew each other before, but we didn’t connect through them.”

“We found out after the fact that both our dads are real estate titans, just in different circles.” Livianna places her palm on his thigh. “It was pure coincidence.”

I recline just enough to study them. Two heirs of competing real estate empires randomly crossing paths in Paris? Not likely.

Some connections are coincidental. Some are cosmic. And some are engineered by men like me with too much to lose and far too many secrets to keep.

Livianna and Trent’s connection could be fate. Or maybe it’s something more dangerous. I’m going to need to call Greg Hemings to discuss the issue.

There’s no way I’m getting involved in a new war I’m unaware of. The problem is, I don’t know how to broach the subject without putting myself at risk. Trent breaks into my thoughts.

“The only thing we had in common regarding real estate was that one of my dad’s rival developers was Livianna’s dad’s adversary, too.” Trent peers down at her. “That’s over, though.”

I think I know why the rivalries are over, but I need to make sure.

My breath shallows. “Why is that?”

“Their competition’s entire executive team was in a plane crash near Aspen and all died.” She reaches for her glass. “The business was broken up and sold off to the highest bidders. I’m pretty sure my dad bought some of their assets.”

“And I know mine did.” Trent shrugs. “That crash shook up the industry.”

My mind flashes to a news headline that once tried to expose too much: “Private Jet Carrying Halvorsen Execs Down Near Aspen—Seven Dead.”

“Small world,” I murmur as my spine stiffens. “Almost too small sometimes.”

They just confirmed what I was concerned about. Thataccidentwas planned. I know what actually happened and the silence I swore to keep. That story needs to stay buried.