Page 4 of The Truth of Us

Rowan didn't even look up from his screen. “Yes.”

Theo leaned forward. “You know her?”

Rowan finally raised his head. “I know everyone who sets foot in this building.”

God, that guy can be a grumpy bastard.

My calendar alert chimed, forcing me to my feet. Tucking my phone into my pocket, I smoothed my jacket. “I’ve got a meeting with a PR firm in five, but I’ve got time to say hello.”

I had no intention of making a move on her. Julian looked ready to combust, but I couldn't resist seeing how far I could push his buttons.

Theo popped out of his chair. “I’ll walk with you. Moral support.”

“For flirting?” I grinned, catching the flare of tension in Julian's shoulders.

“For entertainment,” Theo replied smoothly.

Escorting baby North out of the office, we strolled right up to the woman who carried herself as if she were bearing the weight of the world. When we reached the group, she turned, offering a soft smile.

I offered a warm handshake and introduced myself. She returned the grip with easy confidence. “Lucy Bennett.”

Before she could pull her hand back, Theo snatched it up, flashing his most dazzling smile. “Theo. And can I just say how much I like the sound of Lucy North?”

Lucy let out a small laugh; it was polite, controlled, and deeply practiced.

Excusing myself, I headed down the hall toward the main conference room where my team and the new PR agency were waiting. Theo peeled off toward the elevators while I veered left. Stepping inside, my team introduced me to the agency executives we’d hired to overhaul Northwell’s public image, shifting us from high-flying playboys to trustworthy, family-minded leaders.

I hadn’t exactly run the full strategy past Julian, Caleb, or Rowan yet, but once I field-tested it, they’d see the vision. It was for the greater good.

“Our apologies, Mr. Vale,” a stuffy executive with blindingly white teeth said, stepping forward. “The account manager assigned to your team is running slightly behind. Her flight was delayed, but she is en route now.”

“No problem,” I replied smoothly, slipping my phone out to clear a few more emails while they ironed out account logistics.

I had just tucked my phone away when a sudden prickle hit the back of my neck. The double doors of the private elevator chimed open. My gaze drifted toward the glass partition, and everything else instantly fell away.

Stepping off the elevator was a woman with vibrant ice-blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. She paused, surveying the floor before making her way toward the admin desk.

It’s her.

A surge of adrenaline shot through me. I turned back to the room, ready to cut the meeting short so I could intercept the ghost of fantastic fucks past before she vanished again.

Before I could speak, the room’s focus shifted toward the doorway.

“Ah, here she is,” Mr. Too White Teeth announced with relief.

I turned, ready to deliver a quick apology to the incoming manager, and froze.

“Mr. Vale, allow me to introduce our lead Account Manager, Harper Lane.”

Harper’s ice-blue eyes flared with a microsecond of shock as they locked onto mine, but her expression smoothed over so fast I almost missed it. She stepped forward, extending a slender hand with flawless poise.

As I took her hand, feeling the spark leap between us, a slow smile spread across my face.

Option Two was officially off the table.

3

HARPER