Page 548 of Manhattan Bossholes

“What?” James asked, because he could read in my expression that something was up. It drove me crazy that he knew me so well.

I cleared my throat. “I definitely have a favorite. The best person for the job is…” I paused before I said it, worried that he was going to shoot me down immediately.

He gave my knee a gentle push. “C’mon, this isn’t The Bachelor. Just say it.”

“Christopher,” I blurted out.

His mouth turned down immediately. “Oh, I don’t think⁠—”

“I’m sorry.” I held up my hand and interrupted him. “But in this scenario, it doesn’t matter what you think, because I know. He’s ready, James, but he’s too proud to ask to come back.”

Christopher and I had continued our offline work together, and he’d been dropping hints about wanting to step back into his old role. Nothing overt, but now that he was emotionally steady again, I could tell he really missed being in the office. And I also knew that he would never make the move for fear of his little brother denying him the chance. But not because he didn’t deserve it. James would be afraid that he couldn’t handle the pressure. I knew better.

“Seriously?” James finally asked.

I was shocked that he didn’t come back at me with a list of reasons why it was a bad idea. But maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised. This was the new and improved James, willing to let me have a say.

“Seriously. He’s ready. Better than ever, actually.”

He exhaled slowly and stared out at the horizon. “You’re sure about this?”

“James…come on. You know I wouldn’t make this decision lightly. I’m one hundred percent sure.”

I held my breath.

“Okay, then. Make the offer, whenever you’re ready.”

I shook my head. There was one last piece of the puzzle. “Nope. It has to come from you. He won’t believe that it’s a genuine offer unless you’re the one to make it.”

James nodded slowly. “You’re right. Okay, tomorrow, then.”

I beamed at him. The man had always been decisive, and I loved it when it worked in my favor.

“There’s one last thing I want to talk about with you,” he said. “How much time do I have?”

I glanced at my phone, feeling grumbly because I had no desire to work on projections or seasonal expansion lines with him as the sun was sinking. Plus, he was looking so damn good in the golden hour light, and I was feeling randy, as usual.

“Five minutes.”

“Perfect.” He rubbed his hands together. “I know it’s sort of a touchy subject, but I want to revisit the deconstruction show.”

I flinched at the memory of the night when everything had gone to hell between us. “Do we have to?”

“Stay with me, I have a feeling you’re going to like this. So, obviously you know that our finale gown was a hit, even if it didn’t get presented in the way we’d planned.”

I noticed that he didn’t mention the reason why, but he never uttered Heidi’s name in my presence.

“Yeah, and?” I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling preemptively defensive.

“Bernie has wanted to do a bridal line for ages, but I’ve been against it. I always thought that it would be too much, you know? Now that I’ve seen the reaction to the finale gown⁠—”

“Which wasn’t even my best design,” I interrupted.

“Exactly,” he continued. “But people still went wild for it. So how would you feel about launching it? The Branson bridal line.”

I frowned. “Me?”

“Yup. I’d want you to head up the division,” he said with a grin.