Page 111 of Love In Hiding

“Joshua Singleton, owner of Singleton Investments, this is London Westerly. She and her sister own Westerly Consulting. We are currently under contract for their expertise with both personnel and operational strategies. Spencer Jensen, Senior Managing Attorney at The Carlisle Group.”

“Nice to meet you,” she said to Joshua. Spencer shook hands also.

“If West is using you, you’ve got to be something special. Don’t suppose you’ve got a card on you? We’ve got some issues that aren’t being handled well internally.”

She pulled a card out and handed it over. “My information is there.”

“I’m sure you’ll be handing out plenty of them tonight, as word travels fast once West endorses you.”

Joshua walked away. “You came for that reason?” she asked her cousin.

He reached for a glass of wine for him and Abby, leaning close to her to say, “It’s mutually beneficial to all.”

She knew that and had to get over the insecurities that she was where she was because of her cousin.

It was a fact. He was going to bring her business. West was going to expand her career. But none of that would happen if he didn’t believe in her.

And by believing in her, itwouldhelp him. It’d open doors to businesses that were struggling, that she could fix and if West was interested enough, he could make an offer and buy them out.

The bigger picture was where her cousin was always looking and she was lucky enough to be brought into it.

“Thanks, West. I know I’ve said it a few times, but I will again.”

West nodded and walked away.

“That was nice of you.”

“I’m a nice person,” she said, nudging him with her elbow.

“You practiced that in the mirror, didn’t you?”

She mock rolled her eyes at Spencer. “Maybe just a little.”

They moved around some more, people coming over to talk to her now. As if they saw her with West and it was an invitation to know who she was or how she knew him and Abby.

Not once did she say their personal relationship. She never would.

“I’ll be back,” he said. “I’m going to run to the bathroom. Are you going to be okay?”

“I’ll survive,” she said, looking around the room at the people. She was off to the side, more against a wall. Food moved by and she snagged some off a tray, found a small round table to set her glass on and the plate with food.

It gave her something to focus on so she wasn’t just looking like a lost puppy someone had to save.

“I saw you talking with Spencer Jensen earlier.”

She glanced up, her hand half-covering her mouth while she chewed the stuffed mushroom she’d just popped in. She swallowed quickly.

“Yes,” she said. “You know Spencer?”

“We worked together.” He extended his hand. “Ryker Smithson.”

Oh.TheRyker. The jackass who’d pushed Spencer out.

She shook his hand. “London Westerly.”

“Of Westerly Consulting,” Ryker added with a smug little smile. “Your name has been mentioned more than a few times tonight.”

The West Effect. She refused to flinch. This was what they’d wanted, the visibility, the recognition, and the influence. She had to get over it now.