Page 41 of The Silver Fox Brother

"But you noticed her."

I pick up my glass, take a drink before answering.

"She's hard not to notice."

"Define that," James says.

I consider my answer carefully.

"She's beautiful. Intelligent from the brief interactions we've had. Good at navigating my family's dynamics, which isn't easy. That's all I need to know professionally."

Fletcher raises an eyebrow.

"That's all you know about her?"

"That's all I need to know for the project."

James sits back, studying me with that look he gets when he's about to call me on something.

"Knox. If this was purely business, you would've hired someone else already. You have ten qualified firms on that list. Why her?"

I don't answer immediately.

Because they're right. And they know it.

Fletcher breaks the silence.

"Is this about Rowan? Competing with him?"

"This isn't about Rowan," I say, my voice level.

"This is about business. She's the best designer for what I'm building."

"You keep saying that," James observes.

"Because it's true."

Fletcher swirls his scotch, thinking.

"You could keep it quiet initially. Hire her, get the project moving, and by the time Rowan finds out, it's already done."

"Terrible idea," James says immediately.

"When he finds out—and he will find out—it'll be ten times worse because you hid it."

"I'm not hiding anything," I say.

"If I hire her, Rowan deals with it."

James shakes his head slowly.

"Your family gatherings are going to be fun."

"They're already not fun."

"Fair point."

Fletcher picks up his glass, looks at me over the rim.