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Chapter one
Dana
January
A Carlson Engagement
One step into the vast living area of the luxurious midtown apartment, and the first person I see is Jason Carlson. My trusted friend, work colleague, and secret crush. Well, I hope it’s a secret beyond my best friends, who I’m sure have their suspicions.
Why does he have to look so good?
His tall, broad-shouldered frame is impossible to ignore, snagging my attention even in a room filled with around fifty other guests. He stands casually with one hand in his pocket and a glass of whiskey—probably Macallan—in the other. Everything about him screams wealthy big-city businessman. And he’s in his natural habitat over by the large floor-to-ceiling windows, silhouetted against the Manhattan skyline, a glamorous model by his side. I’ve never felt so small-town.
There’s something different about my friend tonight, and it’s not the latest girlfriend clinging to his arm. I think it’s the way his hair is slicked back from his forehead with so much gel that it appears darker than his natural light-brown color, making his classic masculine features appear harsher. The look is probably popular among the fashionable elites his girlfriend hangs out with, but on Jason, it looks wrong.
Jase is usually all smiles—always easygoing and fun—not the stage-mannered, serious version I’m seeing tonight. I hate it. But where I could normally tell him this, I don’t dare. She’s changing him, and worse than that, he’s letting it happen.
So, instead of being instantly drawn to my friend and the bird’s-eye view of the bright lights of the city I love, I turn in the opposite direction, merging with a group of arriving guests so he doesn’t see me. A sharp pain stabs me in the gut. I knew Jason was bringing the model he’s been dating for a month, but still, it hurts to see them together.
It wasn’t that long ago that I thought our friendship would turn into something more. It turns out I was wrong. And now I can’t help thinking that their relationship must be getting serious if he’s bringing her to his cousin Blake’s engagement party.
The Carlsons like their privacy. It was one of the first things I learned when I joined Carlson Publishing as the head of the human resources department two years ago. The only executive at the time who wasn’t a family member. I love working for the Carlsons. The close family bonds between the siblings and Jason, carry through into the way they run the company.
Hunter, the oldest of the brothers, is the CEO, having taken over from his father last year. Then there’s Blake, the only sibling not involved directly in the company. Logan is the youngest brother and a financial wizard, though he tends to be a bit of a grump in the office. And finally, Katie, their beautiful stepsister and one of my best friends.
I recognize about half of the people here—mostly extended family and close associates—having been embraced as part of the Carlsons’ inner circle from day one on the job.
Allie, Logan’s girlfriend and another of my best friends, appears at my side, engulfing me in an enthusiastic hug.
“Hey, D. I was wondering where you were.” She pulls back to look closely at my face, and a frown draws a crease between her perfectly shaped brows. “You look pale. Are you okay?”
Unfortunately, my gaze darts away, back to where Jason is standing, his head tilted down as he listens to something his stunning date is saying.
“Oh, I see,” Allie murmurs from beside me, having followed my line of sight. “Dana, he’s a fool for choosing her over you. We worked together on a photoshoot about a year ago, and she’s a real diva. A total bitch. Jase won’t put up with that for long.”
Up until six months ago, Allie herself was a famous model traveling the globe and living in Paris. Her beautiful, flawless face frequently graced the covers of magazines and billboards. But now she’s moving behind the camera and is in the process of setting up her new business, Allieway Photography.
“Thanks, Allie. I really appreciate your support, but Jason is a grown man who can date whoever he chooses. Just because we’re good friends doesn’t give me the right to tell him I don’t like his choice of girlfriend.”
At that moment, Jason looks up, and our gazes connect. His mouth is drawn in a straight line as he nods his acknowledgment. Again, I feel the knot in my belly. I force a smile to my lips before angling my body around toward Allie and away from the temptation to stare.
“I need a drink,” I say in a low voice before drawing in a deep breath. I knew it was going to be hard, seeing Jase with another woman, but not this hard.
While I’ve never confirmed my feelings for Jason to Allie, she’s gathered enough to know he’s more than just a friend. “Come this way, hun.” She takes my arm in hers and leads me over to a high table, where a waiter fills two glasses with chilled bubbly champagne before handing them to us. I could probably do with something stronger, but I guess any alcohol will help at this point.
We clink our glasses together and then turn to face the room. There’s a small group of women I don’t recognize laughing and dancing in the area cleared as a makeshift dance floor. They must be friends of Bec, Blake’s fiancée.
Allie leans in close to me, whispering, “Would you like to hear the family gossip?”
Her face lights up with mischief, and I can’t help but smile back at her. Allie isn’t one to spread rumors, so I play along, as I know she’s only trying to cheer me up. “By family gossip, you mean Logan told you.”
“Of course. Pillow talk is the only way I can find out what’s going on at the office.”
“I don’t want to know how you get the gossip out of him. Okay? I do have to sit opposite him in boardroom meetings.”
Allie throws her head back laughing. “Give me some credit. I’m not a kiss-and-tell kind of girl.”
“Good. Now, tell me what you’ve heard.” I take another sip of champagne, draining my first glass before placing it back on the table beside us and gesturing for the waiter to pour me another. He smiles at me suggestively as he passes me the glass. Ten years ago, I probably would have taken him up on what he’s clearly offering, but I’m not that foolish young girl anymore, making one bad decision after another.
