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“Dad. We just got engaged.”

“So.” He shrugs. “There are no rules on how or when forever begins, as long as it does.”

I wave him away with my hand.

I can hear him chuckling all the way down the hall.

I open my email to see a large number of unread emails. I get to work immediately, ready for an afternoon filled with distraction.

I do not doubt the evening will hold many more conversations like the one I just had about Grace.

Fuck. It would just be better if she were here with me.

“Do you think Marcus even knows how to smile?” Bash asks next to me as the bartender makes us another drink.

I’m giving myself one more hour of this, then I’m heading home for the night to call Grace.

I’ve been dodging reporters left and right, grateful that Annie has been wandering around the room to keep them tamed and redirect their focus to the charity, not my personal life.

Talk about making some people feel bad really quick.

Annie is fantastic at her job, and tonight I’m grateful for it.

“Or maybe he’s just always unhappy,” I say. “I mean, anytime a new proposal comes across the board, he only brings up the negative reasons we shouldn’t acquire it.”

Bash gapes at me, drink paused at his lips. “Fuck. You’re right. How have I never seen that?”

He sips his drink and then casts his gaze to Marcus, standing with his wife and daughter.

Yes, my ex.

“Is it weird that he brought Gretchen?”

I chuckle. Only Bash could ask me that. We went to college together, and outside of Dutton and Gavin, he’s the only person I truly consider a friend. Unless we count my brother-in-law Graham, but he’s always busy with my sister, the kids, and writing new books.

Working with Bash is a bonus. It’ s good to have at least one friend when I’m actually at the office.

“Yeah. He’s probably scouting her next boyfriend.”

Bash’s eyes widen. “Holy shit, I bet you’re right. Her last three have been the sons of people from the company. Do you think he’s up to something?”

“Who knows? The only thing he has going for him is that if the board doesn’t vote me in to take over for my dad, he takes my spot.”

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”

“You don’t know that yet.”

“I do fucking know it. You’re doing everything they want a CEO to do and…”

His words trail off as the music ends. There’s a quick pause between songs, and a buzz fills the room. One by one, I see the guests’ attention turn toward the entrance, including Bash’s.

I take a sip of my drink.

Great, now someone is making a scene. This is just what I need. More attention on me and my family’s business.

“Oh, shit, Pres.” Bash smirks and nods to the door.

The wide-as-fuck grin on his lips is the only reason I turn to look.