Page 86 of The Silver Fox Brother

Today, there is no relationship. Today, this is purely a business decision, exactly the way Knox said it should be.

I'm still staring at the card when I hear footsteps in the hallway. Kate appears in the doorway, her phone in her hand, clearly just finishing up her call.

"Hey," she says softly. "How are you holding up?"

I look up from the card. "Can I ask you something?"

Kate steps into the room and leans against the doorframe.

"Anything."

I take a breath, trying to figure out how to explain this.

"Yesterday, before everything happened with Rowan, I had a meeting. A job opportunity. A really big one."

Kate's eyebrows go up slightly.

"Okay. What kind of opportunity?"

"It's complicated," I say slowly.

"Because the person who offered it to me is Rowan's brother."

Kate's expression shifts from curious to shocked in an instant. She pushes off the doorframe and takes a step closer. "Wait. What? Rowan's brother? You mean Knox Sterling? THE Knox Sterling?"

"Yes."

"Oh my god." Kate's eyes are wide now, and she moves fully into the room, pulling out the chair next to me and sitting down. "Winter, why are you just now telling me this? When did this happen?"

"Yesterday afternoon," I explain.

"His assistant called and asked if I could meet with him to discuss a potential project. I went to his office, and he took me to the construction site for Sterling Tower. The whole thing happened so fast, and then I came home and everything with Rowan exploded, and I just haven't had a chance to tell you until now."

Kate is staring at me like I've grown a second head.

"You met with Knox Sterling yesterday and you're just mentioning this now?"

"It's been a little chaotic," I say dryly.

Kate shakes her head in disbelief, and then her expression shifts to something more curious.

"Okay, so tell me everything. What was it like being in his presence? Is he as intense as people say he is? I mean, I've seen photos, obviously, and the man is ridiculously good-looking, but what's he actually like in person?"

I can't help but smile slightly at her eagerness. Kate and Amy have definitely swooned over Knox Sterling's photos before, usually when his face shows up in business publications or on some list of New York's most eligible bachelors. But neither of them has ever met him.

"He's very intense," I admit.

"Focused. He doesn't waste words or time. When he talks about his projects, you can tell he cares about them on a level that most developers don't. It's not just about the money or the prestige for him. He actually cares about creating spaces where people will live."

Kate leans forward, her elbows on the desk.

"And? Come on, don't leave me hanging. What was the vibe? Was it all business, or was there something else going on?"

"It was business," I say firmly, though I can feel heat creeping into my cheeks.

"He offered me a project. That's all."

"Uh-huh." Kate's grin suggests she doesn't entirely believe me, but she doesn't push.