I clear my throat and meet Levi’s unreadable eyes. “Mr. Astor,” I begin, tapping my tablet awake, “we understand the complexity of this merger goes beyond just numbers. The Astor-Wentworth union isn’t just a portfolio combination, it’s legacy—” I catch a small, imperceptible frown on his face. But despite the sudden spike of panic, I forge ahead. “…branding, stakeholder alignment, and long-term asset strategy. That’s why I—Miller-Moorebelieves we’re uniquely positioned to help steer that process with you. Here are the thirty high-profile mergers in the past six years, similar to this one, that we’ve—”
I continue, keeping my voice clear and professional. But inside? Inside, every word feels like a betrayal of something softer. Something we buried.Or at leastItried to.
But Levi just nods, eyes sharp, expression still unreadable save for that small frown that has since melted away.
So I keep pitching. He keeps asking questions, and I keep answering them—matching his cool, almost icy tone. We might as well be strangers.
You are a stranger, Iris.
Eventually, Grace wraps it up with a polished summary.
“I’m glad you were able to prepare this portfolio. These mergers are much like ours, so that helps,” he says, leaning back in his chair. “And just to let you know where we’re at—we’ve had confirmation from Wentworths after the risk audit. They’re aligned, so we’ll be reviewing the proposals internally very soon. How about I get back to you both within… say, a week?”
“Of course,” Grace says, standing first and extending her hand. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Astor.”
He shakes her hand firmly. “Appreciate you flying in.”
I rise a second later and shake his hand again.
Then, just as Grace and I are turning toward the door, Levi says, “Ms. Desmond, would you mind staying back a moment?”
Grace glances at him, surprised, then shoots me a look that’s half curiosity, half question. I give her the tiniest nod.
She raises a brow but relents. “I’ll meet you at the hotel bar at eight?”
“Sure.”
She disappears through the door, leaving me alone with Levi. At first, the silence stretches long.
But when he sits back down with a heavy, almost exasperated sigh, I cross my arms. “You wanted to talk?”
Levi clears his throat. “How’ve you been?”
I blink, sitting back down myself. “I’m… fine. You?”
He sniffs, blinking rapidly as he frowns at the table between us. “I’m confused, Iris.Reallyconfused. You knew who this merger was between—and still chose to be a consultant for it?” There’s an edge to his tone I don’t appreciate.
I straighten my spine. “Listen. Yes, I chose this. Because I’m in line to lead a research vertical at Miller-Moore. This account would help secure it. So, yes. I did choose this.”
He sighs again. This time it’s quieter. Maybe even guiltier. “Sorry, I—you just… I didn’t know you were ontheir team. It threw me.”
I smile. “It’s been ten years, Levi. It should be fine.”
He gives a soft, almost genuine smile, nodding—just as his phone lights up. A woman’s face fills the screen. Beautiful. Gorgeous pixie cut.
My stomach knots, involuntarily. And I hate that it does.
He picks up. “Hey, baby … sorry, yeah, just wrapping up a meeting … an hour? … yeah, I’ll be there. Hey—are you okay? … Alright, see you in a bit.” He hangs up and stares at the phone, frowning slightly. Like the conversation didn’t go as expected.
“Girlfriend?”
His head snaps up like he forgot I was here. “Oh! Uh, no—fiancée, actually.”
I still, forcing a sincere smile on my face. “Congratulations.”
He smiles again, this time, fond. “Thanks. Yeah. It’s actually Cece—Celestine Wentworth.”
Of course. Suddenly, the merger makes perfect sense. Not just business. But marriage. A public alliance.
