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Cat
The sun was shining brightly that morning as I pushed through the busy sidewalks of the city I loved. I sucked in the crisp air and made my way through the crowds with my to-go coffee in hand. All of those nicely dressed professional people rushing off to work with their cell phones pushed to their ears—a good chunk of them would have killed to be walking in my black stiletto shoes. Because that morning I was on my way to Heartstring for what we hoped was the last of our negotiations.
It would be another week before we signed anything, of course. A deal this size didn’t just happen overnight, or even over a month. We had been negotiating for weeks and what would finally be laid out before us today was the fruit of our labors—one neat stack of papers just waiting for my father’s signature, Jordan’s signature, and my own.
In just a couple of more weeks, I could be one of the newest owners of a billion dollar company—one of the most popular dating apps on the market.
The gold siding of the building that framed the windows was glistening in the sunlight as I walked up to the revolving doors and marched inside. The receptionists knew me by now and waved me right on by to the elevators. I noticed everyone had started treating me differently since they likely heard the rumors that soon I would be their new boss.
Everyone smiled and said ‘Good morning’ as I passed through the workroom floor, passed all the employees scurrying to start their days. I loved the feeling that came with a well-run business. It was like an oiled machine with every gear running its course, and all I had to do was watch it carefully to make sure it kept functioning. At least that would be my focus when everything was said and done.
“Morning, Cat,” my father beamed, coming over for a hug as soon as I arrived.
“Good morning,” I sang back, breezing into the conference room where everyone was waiting.
Well, almost everyone.
I quickly noticed the empty chair where Jordan should have been sitting. It wasn’t like him to be late. I glanced down at my Tiffany’s watch—a recent present I had bought myself as an early celebratory reward. He definitely was never five minutes late, but then again—neither was I usually.
When he did finally come in, my father teased him. “You can’t show up late until you’re the boss, and we’re not the bosses yet.”
“Not yet, but soon hopefully,” he winked, sliding into his seat at the table. “Sorry, everyone.”
I glared at him, wondering what his excuse was. It still pained me to wonder what he did with his time when I wasn’t around. Was he sleeping with anyone? What if he met someone special? Would I have to spend the next five years watching him get married and have kids? Oh god, what if he brought her to the office a lot and I had to look at her knowing she had the guy I wanted but could never have?
I shook it all from my mind and felt the sting of Jordan’s eyes burning into me. His brow furrowed with a smirk, as if he was silently asking if I was okay. He must have caught the wild look that washed over my eyes as I plotted out the worst case scenario with us.
“Let’s get started. Shall we?” Jack proposed, opening his briefcase.
A couple of hours later, we were each walking out with our own copy of the approved contracts. One last look over from the lawyers along with a week for us to think everything over—then it would be time to sign on the dotted line, and my dream would come true.
“What do you two say I take you out for that lunch I had to rain check on at the start of all this?” Dad suggested as we went back down into the lobby. “I’d say the timing is appropriate.”
I smiled to myself, knowing that was when all of this started. The lunch he left us alone on is how it all began. We may not have slept with each other that night, but that’s when the wheels were put into motion.
“Actually, I have another meeting I need to get to,” Jordan said as he checked his phone. “I’m unloading a few of my bigger projects to make room for this beast.”
“Just you and me then?” Dad turned to me, rubbing his hand on my shoulder.
My nostrils flared as I felt the rush of nerves. I hated lying to him, but I was starting to get used to it. “Sorry, Daddy. I’ll have to pass too.” I leaned in and kissed his cheek. “We’ll have dinner soon?”
He flashed a look at Jordan. “The papers aren’t even signed yet, and she’s already too busy for me. What have we done?”
“Created a monster,” I laughed.
“If it wasn’t Heartstring it’d be another big company taking her away,” Jordan added as he walked out to the curb. “I’ll catch you two later.”
We watched his car take off down the street, then said our goodbyes. When I got into my car, I told the driver to take me around the block. I needed Dad to think I was headed in a different direction. Once there was no chance of him seeing where I was really headed, I gave them the right address.
Jordan’s office was on one of the top floors, and I was sure he was looking forward to having his name signed to a whole building like Heartstring’s massive headquarters. Not that he hadn’t known success, because he had. But this was definitely going to be an upgrade for him.
I had come to know the building well—especially the side hallway that was a secret entrance of sorts straight to Jordan’s door. I popped out and quickly knocked, getting inside before too many of his employees saw me. We couldn’t risk one of them ratting us out to my dad, especially after we both just gave him the brush off.
He was on the phone when I came in and held up his finger to let me know he’d be a minute longer. I put down my jacket and bag and looked around for a moment, before I realized what a fun opportunity was before me.
“No!” Jordan shouted over the line, banging his fist on the corner of his desk. “Not good enough. If we say we’ll have it in twenty-four hours, we have it in twenty-four hours, goddammit.”
I winced a little for whoever was on the receiving end of his sharp reprimand, but secretly I was just jealous. I loved seeing him all worked up like that, and it kind of made me want to be reprimanded instead.
