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When his eyes finally moved elsewhere, he scanned the faces around him and never really connected with anyone. I thought that said a lot about his arrogance, but by the sudden yearning for his attention to return to me, I realized I liked his particular type of arrogance.
“What’s this about?” Liv asked, breaking into my thoughts.
I turned in my swivel chair, finding Liv’s curious, big brown eyes on me. She had an air of innocence about her—dark, bouncy brown curls resting on her shoulders, and a natural pinkish hue across her cheeks. “Got me.” We’d only found out about the meeting a few minutes ago. “But I’m guessing since the big shot, Micah Holt, is here it can’t be good news.”
Everyone in San Francisco knew the name of billionaire Micah Holt. He was CEO of one of the top five real estate companies in North America, Holt Enterprises, and on the board of many businesses in San Francisco.
Liv nodded in agreement with me, then added, “Big shot or not, that man oozes sex.”
“Of course he does.” I scrunched my nose, attempting to look unimpressed by him. “He’s an expert at making women fawn all over him.”
Liv discreetly raised her hand, her eyes twinkling. “Sign me up! I’d fawn all over his sexy ass.”
I laughed quietly. A couple months ago, Liv had broken up with someone and had been single ever since. She had a fondness for bad boys who drove motorcycles. Me? My last breakup that ended with a competing real estate agent, Matthew Granger, meeting someone new—who he married two months later—was the final kicker to many relationships that went nowhere.
I was a proud hopeless romantic. I wanted that spark declaring a man was mine and I was his, though the fairy tale seemed to belong to everyone else and never me. Instead of accepting that true love only happened in the movies, I’d sworn off relationships, focusing entirely on my career.
It might not be the ideal situation for a twenty-five-year-old, but I’d never been happier. I liked not thinking about a man all the time, not worrying over someone else, or giving a shit if I said or did the wrong thing.
I liked freedom, I supposed.
“Thank you for clearing your schedules,” said my boss, Henry Richardson, drawing my focus to the head of the meeting-room table.
In the presence of Micah, Henry looked aged. His eyes were a soft brown, and he was a bit on the short side. He drank too much, leaving him with a wrinkly face, and ate more than he could burn off. He also meant the world to me.
Shortly after my fifteenth birthday, my parents died in a plane crash. Life changed a lot back then. But when I started working for Henry four years ago, he had become a replacement father to me. At least, that’s how our relationship felt. I looked up to him. I measured every man against him. And I treasured having him in my life.
Henry continued. “I have some news that I hope you’ll see as a positive for our company.” Our company. My heart warmed, as that one line spoke of Henry’s high regard for his employees. “As you all know, my retirement is long overdue.”
Heavy silence and palpable disappointment carried into the meeting room like a thick cloud of poison rendering us incapacitated. Except for Micah, who stuffed his hands into his pockets and gazed out the window.
Suddenly, I found a flaw.
A big one.
Henry added, “I’ve decided to make today my last day and to merge our company with Holt Enterprises.”
People stirred around me, and I agreed with their disappointment. But my concern had nothing to do with job security—I could not lose Henry. Worry and panic tripped my heart, sending me into a frenzy of a thousand what will happen now? thoughts.
Henry’s gentle stare fixed on me, his voice softened. “I know this comes as a shock, but when it’s time to leave, it’s time to leave.” He turned toward the suit at the window. “Micah? Anything to add?”
I could almost hear the feminine sighs of appreciation as Micah stepped toward the table. I hated myself for being one of them. What a sucker I was; I’d totally fallen for the charm that he dished out to everyone.
“Thank you, Henry,” said Micah, before addressing the rest of us. “I’m aware how important Richardson is to you all.” He planted on a cold, fake smile. “We at Holt are excited about this merger. You’ve got a good start here.”
First, he pushes Henry out of his company. Second, he insults it. “A good start.” I snorted.
Micah’s eyes shifted to me, amused. “Something to add?”
I knew Micah’s type. Hell, I’d grown up surrounded by spoiled men who cared more about the bottom line than how they affected people. My older brother of ten years, who raised me after my parents’ death, had given me a privileged life. He also taught me the art of showing strength in the face of rich and powerful men. Never lower your gaze, he once told me. “Nope, nothing to add at the moment.”
“Please don’t stop on my account.” The side of Micah’s mouth curved, a telling sign that he enjoyed my challenge. “I’d like to hear more of what you were saying.”
“Oh, look!” Liv whispered under her breath. “Your big mouth has gotten you in trouble again.”
I often landed myself in the hot seat, a place I’d become quite comfortable in. I also knew Micah’s techniques. While he seemed genuinely entertained by me, calling me out was a way of showing everyone in this room that he owned the space. “Please continue, Mr. Holt.” I smiled at him, hoping my chilly smile out-faked his. “I’m excited to hear what your plans are for our ‘good start’ of a company.”
Henry gaped at me.
