Page 15 of Heart Like Yours
My stomach twists at the realization. It’s an effort not to dwell on the feeling and instead, focus back on my current meeting.
Straightening in my seat, I clear my throat and take a quick glance around the room, trying to figure out who spoke.
“Since the company and their teams are ready to make this sale final as soon as possible and since their main office is out of New York City, their lawyers asked if you would be willing and able to meet them there for the final signing. They promised to help move things along quicker however possible if you can,” Tyler, one of my team’s lawyers, repeats without an ounce of irritation in his voice. At the same time that my assistant, Gwen, tilts her notepad in my direction.
Gwen has been with me since the beginning of SweetHeart Publishing. Sometimes I wonder how she manages to put up with my busy schedule while also raising two teenage boys of her own. I once offered to bring on a second assistant, in case she needed more time at home. Her response was to scoff and ask me how much I wanted my mom around when I was fourteen.
Even if it wasn’t my biological mom, and for as much as I loved being around Liv Mikelson, I got her point. She needed to keep herself busy because they were no longer dependent on her.
Still, I always try to make sure she’s home for dinner time, that she has the weekends off as much as possible, and that she doesn’t work on holidays.
Though she claimed she didn’t need help before this expansion, I know that will need to change. Or at least, we’llneed to hire a secondary assistant for Paige so that Gwen isn’t pulled in two different directions.
Assuming Paige says yes.
Glancing down at the notepad, I look over the three dates at the beginning of November underlined. I nod, offering her a smile that I hope shows her just how grateful I am.
Mr. Daniels, the current owner of the company I plan to merge with SweetHeart Publishing, mentioned that he wanted this sale to move quickly when we first spoke. His wife had a health scare a few months ago and it made him realize how important prioritizing his family is. It’s sad that it sometimes takes such a terrifying thing for some to come to that realization, but at least he’s acting on it.
It also means that a quick sale is a win-win for both of us.
“Schedule the meeting for the first week of November.” I glance toward Andrea, our HR director. “Can you get a plan in place for what onboarding the team to SweetHeart’s payroll will look like with the holidays? I’ll send over the necessary information I have available.”
Andrea nods, making a note as she answers without looking at me. “I’ll do what I can from this side. Most of it might just be planning and prep while we sort through employee files and who will be staying on.”
“Thank you. Let me know what you need.” Combing a hand through my hair, I lean back in my seat and glance at Tyler. “Is there anything else you or their lawyers need in order to ensure we are set to finalize everything in November?”
I don’t miss the hesitancy that flashes across his face before he swallows thickly and answers.
“Any partners you plan to add will need to be sent to me in the next week or two so we can add them to the contracts before finalization,” he states, raising an eyebrow in a silent question.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I ignore his unsaid inquiry. “I’ll let you know.”
With that, we wrap up our meeting, my list of things to do over the next month not seeming any lighter. I sink back into the couch, letting out a heavy breath now that I’m alone. Before my mind gets a chance to wander, my phone vibrates in my pocket and I can’t even stifle the groan.
Mondays aren’t normally like this. There’s almost always a comforting familiarity to them. Yes, they’re typically the busiest days while everyone catches up from a weekend off. But it’s also the day I spend the most time with Paige, even if it is in meetings.
However, every now and then, there are days like today, where I’m needed elsewhere and don’t get more than a fleeting glimpse of her.
Groaning, I push to my feet and pull my phone from my pocket, frowning at the number on the screen. Having grown up there, the Colorado area code makes me pause and rack my brain for who would be calling me.
Given that Dominik is now here in Tampa, the only people I know from there either don’t know me well enough to have my cell number or are in prison. I have Hank’s, my parents’ case manager, number and the prison where my parents are locked up both memorized and saved in my phone. Shaking it off as a spam caller, I decline the call.
Besides, if it was actually important, they would leave a voicemail.
After straightening my suit jacket, I head toward my desk. There’s actual work to do, papers that need signing, and emails that need responding to before I call it a day.
However, as I pause in front of my windows and stare out over the city, all I can think about is Paige and what her decision will be.
I’m unsure of how long I stand there, lost in my mind, when a knock on my door finally pulls my attention back. The voice that speaks up makes my damn heart skip as I turn to face it.
“Do you have a second in your busy schedule?” she asks, her diamond eyes shining as she watches me from the doorway.
Everything about her is breathtaking. Her black skirt is practically painted on, hugging her thighs and hips deliciously. A dark red blouse is tucked seamlessly in at her slim waist, complementing her pale complexion. But it’s her midnight hair that hangs freely that makes me pause. She normally favors ponytails, preferring to keep it away from her face while she works.
Yet today it’s different. It frames her beautiful face, tucked to one side, making my fingers flex with the need to run through it.
“For you,” I say, shoving my hands in my pockets and stepping back around my desk, “always.”