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As they approached the end of the hall, the space opened into another reception area with desks occupied by two women and one man. Caroline could hear Josh. He was talking with someone, and his voice, so deep, so assured, caught her attention.
One of the women, who was round and lovely and wearing a bright red power suit, jumped to her feet. “Is this her?”
Amelia nodded. “It is.”
“It’s a pleasure, Miss Rossi. Josh... uh... Mr. Campbell... hasn’t been able to stop talking about you. I’m Clara, his assistant. Let me see if he’s free.”
Caroline didn’t even have time to respond before Clara took off and poked her head into the open office door.
She came back. “He’s on a call. It will be just a moment. I’m so sorry you have to wait.”
“It’s not a problem.” Caroline walked around the space, taking in what she might call the intimidation factor of a place like this. The old building, the dark wood, the moldings—originally it was about quality; now it was about establishing power.
Clara approached. “You’ve known him a long time?”
Caroline nodded. “It feels like my whole life.”
“We’re all so happy. We figured if Jason could find someone, Josh should be able to. I give your sister a lot of credit for putting up with that one.”
Caroline had to think about what Clara had just said. “I’m sorry. Jason? He treats Meg like a princess.”
“And thank goodness for your sister. That boy always had some attitude. He’s so much more grounded since Meg came into his life.” Clara leaned in and whispered. “I mean no disrespect, of course, but you won’t have that problem with Josh. He’s such a good man.”
Caroline’s brain started processing everything Clara was telling her and the picture that had been painted of Josh all these years was making less and less sense.
“If I had a daughter,” Clara continued, “I’d want her to marry a man like him.”
“How has Josh been getting along with his father? They seem to have plenty of differences.”
Looking around, Clara made sure the coast was clear and then went on. Caroline felt like she’d hit the information lottery. “Mr. Campbell Senior is impossible. Josh works so hard, and his father, well, let’s just say the man seems intent on blowing driving this company into the ground. Josh is at his breaking point. It all came to a head when Mr. and Mrs. Campbell went after the little girl. You should have heard some of the fights here. The walls shook.”
Didn’t that figure?
Sometimes her sister could be so blind. Apparently, she had an ally in Josh, and she never saw it. She still didn’t. Once again Caroline got confirmation that she was right about Josh. He was a good man. A very good man. Now all she wanted to do was keep him.
Quiet settled between her and Clara, and it wasn’t just a lull in the conversation; it was an understanding that was cemented when the two women locked eyes.
“Clara, are you telling her stories about me?”
Josh’s booming baritone filled the room and Clara smacked his arm as she went back to her desk and took her purse from the drawer. “I told her you’re a brat and that she should watch out for you.”
The exchange between them was lovely—bordering on sweet, but definitely crossing over into affectionate. They were a beautiful group of women all right, and she could see why Josh loved them.
He crossed to her and Caroline took in the whole package, all while her heart picked up speed. He wasn’t wearing a jacket, but his light blue dress shirt was crisp and his tan silk tie had a small, intricate pattern.
At Campbell Holdings, suits and ties were still the uniform, unlike the more casual post-Pandemic outfits at other Wall Street firms. While Caroline liked the more casual look, there was something very appealing about a man in a well-cut suit.
“Hi, I’m sorry I kept you waiting.” Leaning in, Josh kissed her on the lips.
“It’s fine. Clara and I got to know each other.”
He nodded and kissed her again. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Clara chuckled and patted his back. “I like her,” she said to him. “Don’t mess it up.”
Once Clara disappeared down the hall and the other two assistants followed, they were completely alone. That’s when Josh pulled her in and kissed her for real. Light seemed to explode behind her eyes, and a warmth spread out from her belly to every part of her.
This was magic and Caroline never wanted it to end. She was in love with him and she didn’t know if it was new, her old feelings welling up and taking hold, or a combination of the two, but there was no doubt in her mind that this was it for her. He was her soulmate. Her love. And she had to find a way to help him see that they belonged together.
