Page 175 of Last First Kiss

Jordan prepares himself for the worst.

She says, “You were right.”

And… that’s not what Jordan was expecting.

He sits up. “I was right?”

“Mm-hmm.”

With as much confidence as possible, which is currently very little, Jordan says, “About…?”

Kami’s exhale is followed by a tiny smile. “About me forgetting what the company’s vision was—is.”

She nudges an opened magazine toward him.

Without seeing the cover, Jordan recognizes it. Some trashy tabloid dressed as a “serious” publication. In the bottom corner of the page is an inlaid photo of Kami. The professional headshot she got after taking over as CEO. The brief write-up is titled:HAS THECARTERFAMILY’SNEWCEO LOSTHERGOLDENTOUCH?

He quirks an eyebrow. “What’s this?”

“This,” Kami laments, “came out three months ago.”

Jordan does the math.Ah.

“When we had that staff meeting,” he says.

“WhenIhad a stupid epiphany that in order to keep the company’s name in the headlines,” Kami clarifies, “we needed to get back in weddings. Recapture the magic.” She frowns at the glossy magazine. “Ensure no one thought I was a failure.”

“Kami, it was one dumb, untrue article.”

“I know that!” She rubs her temples. “I know thatnow. But it got to me.”

“Why were you even reading that filth?”

She groans. “It was in the lobby when I took Mikah to the dentist. I was bored.”

He wants to laugh, but Kami looks contrite.

Her brow pinches. “You were right about Amy. She deserved better. This company stands out because we value our clients’ happiness over splashy spreads inPeople.”

Jordan smiles, though he’s not sure how to feel inside. Vindicated? Relieved?

“Are you backing out of weddings again?”

“No,” Kami says frankly. “We can still make an impact there. A memorable one.”

“Agreed.”

“But I’m reconfiguring the approach,” she says. “Maybe our next client could be smaller? Still important, just not…”

“Entertainment Weeklybig?”

“More of TheKnot.com variety,” she offers.

They trade amused grins. It’s a beat before Jordan replays the conversation in his head. His heart skips.

Kami saidweandour.

He stammers, “Wait, as in—”