"He's up to speed on your work," Madeline explains. "He's studied all the current pieces we have on hand and loves them. He's anxious to see everything new you have to offer."
"That's helpful," I say quietly, wishing I could talk to Julia.
"I know this must be surprising," her voice shows little emotion. "But we're focused on moving forward and we're all going to work together to make the bridal collection the biggest success you've had yet."
"Yes," I say, unsure of anything other than my disbelief that I have to work with a stranger, a man, to market my new pieces. This collection is cherished, personal and I can't hand it over to just anyone. I feel panic rushing through me but I take a deep breath realizing that without Veray my jewelry would likely be sitting in the small studio in my apartment gathering dust.
She reaches for the phone on her desk and punches in three numbers. "We're ready for you now."
Almost instantaneously there's a soft knock at her office door. As she moves to open it, I rest my head in my hands, trying to process all of this.
"She's right here." Madeline's voice feels very far away although I know she's only a few feet from the chair I'm still glued to.
"It's lovely to meet you, Ms. Marlow." His voice is intimately familiar.
I turn slowly. My eyes following a line that begins at his blue trousers. I start to raise myself from the chair when I catch sight of the fingers of his right hand resting on his belt. Before I can make eye contact with his face, I'm falling back into the chair, my legs too weak to hold me up.
He kneels next to the chair. "Ivy, are you alright?"
"I'll get her some water." Madeline moves into my line of sight, reaching for a bottle of water on a table next to her desk.
I take the bottle and open it, still staring straight ahead, my body preventing me from turning to look at him.
"Are you still feeling faint?" Madeline is sitting in the chair next to me now. She rests her hand gently on my arm.
I turn to look at her. "I'm fine. I'm sorry."
"You're probably just dehydrated." Her voice has a motherly tone to it now. "Take a sip."
I do as I'm told and swallow a mouthful of the cool water. I take a deep breath, knowing that this is the moment I have to face him.
"Ivy, this is Jax Walker." Madeline's excited voice cuts through the silence in the room.
"Jax, this is her." Madeline stands and spreads her arms above my head. "This is our Ivy Marlow."
I stand before turning to look at him. "Mr. Walker, it's a pleasure."
He takes my hand in his, his gaze locked on my eyes. "Ms. Marlow. I've been looking forward to this moment. May I call you Ivy?"
I nod, searching his eyes for some sort of glimmer of understanding. There's nothing.
"And you should call him Jax." Madeline pats me on the back. "We're all family."
"Family," I repeat after her, casting my eyes down to the floor.
"I can't wait for you two to start working together." Madeline is holding both my shoulders now. "It's a match made in heaven."
I glance up to Jax's face again. "It's been lovely meeting you, Jax but I need to leave."
I push past him and swiftly move in the direction of the door. "Madeline, I'll be in touch next week with the final pieces."
She pulls her hands together, clasping them in front of her chest. "I can't wait, Ivy."
"When did you join the Veray family, Jax?" I try my best to convey a sweet and endearing tone.
"We became partners six weeks ago." Madeline interjects, wrapping her arm through Jax's.
"I see." I swallow hard. "It's been an interesting afternoon. Thank you both."
I bolt for the bank of elevators as soon as I'm through the door of Madeline's office. I lean against the wall, trying to catch my breath as I repeatedly punch the call button.
Once the heavy metal doors open, I'm inside the small space, pushing the round button for the lobby. Just when the door starts closing, Jax steps in.
"No," I snap. "I don't want to talk to you right now."
He allows the doors to close behind him before he speaks. "I want to explain."
The elevator jolts to a heavy stop on the fifth floor. The doors open and four people flood in. They're all talking about the same seemingly evil boss they work for. I stand in silence with Jax next to me.
He leans down, his breath reaching my neck. "It's not what you think."
Again, the elevator jars us as it stops. This time it's the third floor and as a small group of people enter, I quickly push through the crowd and slip off. I breathe a heavy sigh of relief as the elevator continues its downward flight to the lobby with Jax still onboard.