Page 87 of Never To Be Mine

“Uh-huh.” She took a sip, her eyes dancing with amusement. “So when are you going to tell me what’s really going on between you two?”

“Nothing’s going on.”

“Juno.”

“Fine. Something might be going on. Maybe. It’s complicated. I will not confirm or deny anything.”

“It’s always complicated with you.” She bumped my shoulder with hers. “But for what it’s worth, I think he’s good for you. You seem happier lately. Less wound up.”

“I think that might have been an insult.”

She just laughed and walked away, leaving me to contemplate the comment.

The catering team filled the space with the scent of cilantro, citrus, and spice. My stomach growled. People descended on it like locusts, filling plates and settling into chairs around the long table. Hollis ended up beside me, his thigh pressing against mine under the table in a way that was definitely intentional.

“This is nice,” he said quietly, so only I could hear. “Thanks for setting it up.”

“It was a team effort. Kari did most of the work.”

“Still. It means a lot.” His hand found mine under the table, fingers lacing together for just a second.

I should have pulled away. We were in my office, surrounded by my colleagues, celebrating a business partnership. This was exactly the kind of thing we shouldn’t do.

But I didn’t pull away. I squeezed his hand instead, just once, before letting go.

The party continued for another hour. More champagne flowed, more congratulations were exchanged, more toasts were made to B Well’s success and the Young at Heart partnership. My father even made an appearance, shaking Hollis’s hand and offering his own congratulations.

“This is exactly the kind of success we like to see,” Dad said, clapping Hollis on the shoulder. “You’ve done impressive work, son.”

I watched Hollis’s face light up at the praise. It occurred to me that despite all his success, despite his family’s wealth and connections, he still craved validation. Still needed to hear that he’d done well and earned his place at the table.

It made him more human in my eyes. We were all human with our own self-doubt.

“Hollis,” Dad said after finishing his small meal. “Could I speak with you in my office for a moment?”

My stomach dropped.

Hollis glanced at me, and I saw the same wariness in his eyes that I felt. “Of course,” he said, setting down his champagne flute.

“In private,” Dad added, making it clear I wasn’t invited.

Oh shit.

28

HOLLIS

Ifollowed Dan down the hallway toward his office. The champagne buzz I’d been riding evaporated with each step. This was it. He knew. Somehow he’d figured out that I’d been sleeping with his daughter, and now he was going to end the partnership and probably my entire business in one conversation.

I ran through possible explanations in my head. We could keep it professional. It wouldn’t affect our work together. We were both adults. All of it sounded weak even to me.

Dan held his office door open and gestured for me to enter. I stepped inside, trying not to look like a man walking to his execution. The last time I’d been in here, he assigned me and Juno to work together. Did he have any idea how that partnership might turn out?

“Have a seat,” Dan said, closing the door behind us.

I sat in one of the leather chairs across from his desk, forcing myself to maintain eye contact even though I wanted to stare at my shoes like a kid called to the principal’s office.

Dan settled into his own chair and leaned back, studying me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. Not angry. Not disapproving. Just very thoughtful like he was trying to decide what to say.