Already, the room was full of the corporate staff who worked in the business below. People were dressed in their best cocktail attire, leaving behind their business suits for dress clothes. It was like seeing the office come to life once every year. Even Mick in accounting had dressed up, and he was acting like he was having a good time. He was the most curmudgeonly old man I’d ever encountered.
The line at the bar was the biggest attraction, and soon, the buffet would open up. We had the food catered every year as a thank-you that went with the year-end bonuses.
I shook hands and said my fair share of hellos as we moved through the crowd, heading toward the DJ that was currently playing Christmas music. It was my mission to make sure I knew each person on the team. Ever since my father had died and I’d taken over the company, my life had been almost entirely about work. The few exceptions still lived in New York and hadn’t exactly worked out as I’d expected. Work was always reliable.
As I greeted people, my eyes sought out one person. Heidi. She was Emery’s best friend. She would know what to make of the whole situation. And, though I had never had a conversation with Heidi that wasn’t about work, considering the array of men falling at her feet, I thought maybe she would understand where I was coming from on this one.
But I never found her.
And then I was quickly ushered up to the DJ and handed a microphone.
Here goes nothing.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention?” I said.
Slowly, the voices died down, and faces turned to stare up at me at the front of the room. My eyes roamed the room, trying to pick out Heidi in the crowd.
“I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I just wanted to say thank you so much for all that you do for this company. Every single person in this room is integral to the development and continual progress of Wright Construction.”
A few people in the back clapped, and then everyone joined in, applauding their own accomplishments.
“Additionally, I wanted to make you all aware that, as of next week, Wright Construction will merge with the Tarman Corporation headquartered in Austin.”
There were loud whispers all around as everyone tried to figure out what that would mean for them.
“Wright Construction is purchasing the company to continue to grow and expand in and out of Texas.”
I was about to say something else when a figure appeared at the back of the room. It was as if a spotlight were being held over Emery’s body, revealing her to me. She looked stunning in a tightfitting black dress. And, for a moment, I was completely frozen in place. All thoughts of letting her leave for her own good disappeared. I was not going to let that woman walk away from me.
I could feel her eyes on me from across the room. She smirked like she fucking knew what she was doing to me. And it only made me want her more.
“Jensen,” Morgan muttered, nudging me.
“Um…yes. Right. More details regarding that will follow,” I said into the microphone. I’d completely lost my train of thought. “Now, more booze! Enjoy!”
I handed the microphone back to the DJ and turned to go find Emery, but Morgan blocked my way.
“More booze? Enjoy?” she asked in dismay. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Something else is on my mind.”
“Jensen, you didn’t even tell them that we weren’t downsizing here. You didn’t tell them what the merger meant or that we’d be getting new employees from Tarman.”
“Then, you tell them, Morgan,” I told her.
My eyes drifted over her head to try to find Emery again, but she was gone. It was as if she had come to me like a vision in that moment and had since disappeared.
“What?” Morgan asked, staggered. “You want me to address the crowd?”
“You’re a Wright, are you not? You know just as much about the merger as I do.”
“But, Jensen…” she whispered.
I smiled and bumped her shoulder. “I have faith in you.”
“Wait, where are you going?” she asked as I moved away from her.
“To make another mistake,” I told her before melting into the crowd.
Seventeen
Emery
Okay, so I’d made my grand appearance.
I’d felt like Drew Barrymore in Ever After, whispering to myself, “Just breathe,” when I entered the room. I’d caught Jensen’s eye. He’d stared at me, momentarily in shock. I’d basked in the glow of that attention. And then I’d promptly and completely lost my nerve, disappearing into the crowd by the bar with Heidi.
What am I even doing here?
He’d pushed me away. Twice.
It was no matter that he’d been texting me all week. His text messages had been nonsensical. Half-trying to convince me that leaving me was for the best and half-trying to convince me to give him another chance. I didn’t know which half he wanted me to believe. So, I just hadn’t responded. I was still hurt from the conversation we’d had at Death by Chocolate. I should have just stayed home. Actually, I should have probably already left.