Page 1

Chapter 1

Eleanor

“NO, YOU’RE NOT hearing me,” I groaned, throwing my head back and staring at my office ceiling, the phone pressed firmly against my ear. “This isn’t a school car wash, Jacob. This is high stakes. Your sorry excuse for a donation isn’t going to cut it. These are high-end clients. An organic bath bomb basket? Not going to meet their needs—or mine, frankly.”

Orchestrating a charity event from thousands of miles away was a recipe for disaster. There was always something—a fire to put out, someone backing out at the last minute, or in this case, a luxury beauty company trying to skimp on their promised contribution when the stakes were higher than anticipated.

“No, no. Don’t even think about backing out,” I hissed, clutching my phone tighter. “I sent you an email months ago outlining exactly what we needed. According to the response from someone named”—I paused, scanning the email on my screen—“Angelica, you were donating a generous gift card and tickets to the New York expo you’re hosting next year.”

A soft knock sounded at my office door before it creaked open, revealing my assistant, Laney. She stepped in, her expression wary. I widened my eyes dramatically, silently screaming how excruciating this conversation was. Ten minutes of arguing with the CEO’s assistant, followed by thirty minutes on hold, had already drained me. Did they think I had nothing better to do?

Laney cringed and dropped into the chair across from my oversized desk. Behind me, the Manhattan skyline gleamed in the golden light of dusk. Running a company of this caliber definitely had its perks, including this office.

“Jacob, my friend,” I sighed theatrically, earning a laugh from Laney, who quickly slapped a hand over her mouth. “I don’t want to pull this card, but we’ve already released an itinerary and donor list to everyone who RSVP’d.” A bald-faced lie, but I delivered it flawlessly. “It would be such a shame to send a follow-up email explaining that a company of your size couldn’t meet the expectations.”

Laney waved a hand, pointing to her watch—her universal signal that I was about to be late. She did this often, shepherding me from one obligation to the next. Tonight wasn’t a work meeting or a networking event. Tonight, I had a date. Not that I cared if I missed it. Still, I wasn’t one to back out, or down for that matter.

I grabbed the scissors on my desk and mimed stabbing myself in the eye, earning me a scared look from Laney. My patience was wearing thinner by the second.

Finally, a triumphant grin spread across my face as Jacob caved. Pumping my fist in victory, I mouthed a silent yes, and Laney applauded dramatically but silently.

“I knew you’d come through, Jacob. You can overnight everything to Stone Ranch in Montana. If you need follow-up, email my assistant.” I hung up, letting out a groan of relief as I rubbed my temples.

I slumped back in my chair, my arms dangled over the sides, playing dead. The mental toll of that conversation had me questioning my career choices.

“If you don’t leave now, you’re going to be late, Nellie,” Laney teased, hands on her hips.

I shot her a look that screamed, Do I really have to go?

She nodded firmly, crossing her arms. “Yes. And don’t think about bailing.”

Laney wasn’t just my assistant—she’d been my best friend since grade school and the only person allowed to call me “Nellie.” To the rest of the world, I was Eleanor. Nicknames weren’t my thing. My parents had chosen my name for a reason, and I intended to stick with it despite them being a constant disappointment.

Laney was also the reason I was getting back into the dating world. As much as I loved my job, and was pretty much married to it, I knew I didn’t want to be alone forever.

Laney came around the desk and pulled me to my feet. “Give this one a real shot. Besides, if it’s awful, at least you’ll be far away from the city afterward. You need a damn break from the same routine and the men here. Find a cowboy—or a few—when you get to Montana to keep your bed warm at night.”

I sighed and began shutting down my computer and packing up my things. I wouldn’t be back until after the summer—my longest stint away from the office since hiring my team and finally learning to delegate.

I needed this change. And, with Laney’s nudge, I was finally ready to see what was waiting for me beyond the concrete jungle. But, I had to get through this date first.

Then, Montana, here I come.

FUCKING MEN.

God, they’re absolutely insufferable. Beyoncé had it right—girls do run the world.

This was my third date this week and, hands down, the worst one yet. Luke officially earned a spot in the “kill me now” column on my dating spreadsheet. Yes, I made a meticulously organized Excel sheet tracking all the men I’ve dated since breaking up with my longest relationship, a whopping three months ago.

That relationship had lasted six months, which was a record for me. I simply don’t have the bandwidth for shitty guys wasting my time. If you couldn’t keep up, the door was always open. Maybe that’s part of my problem—I never let the door close.

I had my reasons though, and they were valid. My heart’s been locked up tight in a steel case for years. Not many people get the privilege of playing with it. Some say I’m stone cold. By some, I mean Laney, who never misses a chance to give me grief.

“Did you ever think maybe it’s you, Ice Queen?” she’d quip, and I’d scoff. Me, the problem? Absolutely not. I have standards. If a man can’t meet them, he’s just a boy. Is it unreasonable to expect a man to treat me to dinner without suggesting we split the bill? Or not want to hook up on the first date?

I wasn’t some aimless bachelorette. I was a powerhouse—thirty-three years old and running one of the most successful public relations firms in the city.

BuzzBurst Media was my baby, my pride and joy. I launched it right after graduating from NYU with a communications degree.