Whatever that means.
I know that’s why I’msupposed to marry Celestine Wentworth, the heir to the Wentworth fortune. The marriage is meant to be more than just a stepping-stone for the merger.
But I honestly haven’t thought aboutthataspect of our relationship in months. Maybe—
“Levi,” my father prompts.
Shit. I need to give this ten more minutes before I leave to pick Cece up. There’s a slight possibility that the alcohol on their empty stomachs has somehow loosened their tongues.
I glance up, feigning exasperation, even though my ears are primed to pick up on any marginal changes in their tones. “Hm?”
“What are your thoughts on the risks if we hire that Miller-Moore consulting firm?”
Of course, I’m being questioned on the one decision I made rather independently.
“I’m getting an audit in place. But this firm has had great success in M&A restructuring. I’m sure they’ll help us expedite the merger.”
I hear a grunt from one of the men. A few dull nods. But I can’t be sure if this means I have their approval or a complete dismissal. And if there’s any resistance, I want to see it. Now.
I sigh when my mother starts rambling about naming conventions for the new shared vertical—Astoworth Premierbeing her current favorite.
Kill me now.How do I even tell her?
As the droning continues, I casually slip my hand beneath the table and tap out a text to Taewon, my executive assistant. I’ve done my part for the day, and the conversations have predictably fallen into ornamental bullshit.
Me: Rescue Me. Now. Call in 2 minutes. Make it urgent. $5k bonus if you’re hysterically loud.
Exactly one minute and forty-three seconds later, my phone rings. I make a show of frowning at the caller ID. “Shit. Sorry, I need to take this.”
I stand and walk a few steps away from everyone, pressing the phone to my ear. “Taewon?”
“Finally! Mr. Astor.” His loud voice makes me yank the phone away from my ear. He’s really going for it. “We’ve got a situation with the Burnaby expansion. The… cost analysis report’s gone sideways, and legal’s having a meltdown. They’re asking for a decision before the end of day or the contractors walk.”
I nearly snort.
God, he’s good.I owe him good wine. And five thousand dollars, apparently.
I turn back to the room, expression grave. “Apologies, everyone. There’s a fire I have to put out.”
A chorus of noncommittal grunts and distracted nods follows. No one really wants to be here anyway. Least of all me.
Why the fuck can’t I just say,‘sorry folks. You bore me. So if you’d just quickly tell me how you’re sabotaging the company, I’d stop playing detective and be on my way’?
I’m out the door before someone remembers to ask for a follow-up. Once I hit my parents’ driveway, I can finally breathe. Really breathe.
The cool air hits my lungs and all I can think is: Cece is back. I slide into my car, start the engine as I queue her playlist, and imagine her low, melodic hums I’ll be graced with in a matter of minutes.
Peeling out the main gates, I grin at the dashboard like an idiot.
TWO
Levi
I push open the door to my apartment, shoulder brushing Cece’s as she steps in ahead of me, her carry-on bumping against the frame. The familiar click of her boots echoes off the marble tiles, then disappears into the living room. Her steps almost hurried.
She doesn’t say much. Hasn’t, really, since we left the airport. Just the occasional nod and murmured“Mmhm,”while she hummed with the songs I’d played.
I toe off my shoes, tossing my keys into the bowl near the door. “So,” I say, stretching the word like it might help loosen whatever stiffness has taken over her. “Still alive after five days in the flat-lands?”
