lucky, we might be able to swipe a leftover bottle of champagne to bring back to your penthouse.”
I liked where her imagination was taking her. “I’ll be ready to go when you are. Just come find me.”
She ran a hand down the lapel of my suit jacket before stepping away. We both had plenty of business to discuss that night with clients and potential users of their apps so we could tailor our upcoming ads for the New Year appropriately. I knew how important it was to stay tuned into work on a night like that, but I couldn’t help the feeling of longing that seeped through my chest as I watched the beautiful dark-haired woman in the green dress pass beneath the illuminated arch.
She was a masterpiece.
“She looks beautiful tonight, doesn’t she?”
I nearly choked on a mouthful of champagne as Jon stepped up beside me.
I thumped a fist against my chest and cleared my throat. “Yeah, she certainly does. How’s your evening treating you?”
Jon watched me with a bemused expression before looking away. “Excellent. You’ve outdone yourself tonight, Ethan. I was just approached by your clients. They’re thrilled with your professionalism and the promises you delivered on.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“This is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to see from you tonight.” Jon turned and faced me directly. Tonight, he wore a dark gray suit with a forest-green pocket square. “You’ve made it quite easy for me to make my decision.”
“Decision, sir?”
Jon chuckled and shook his head at me. “About who to make partner, of course.”
“Oh.” Oh.
My thoughts raced. Was this it? Was this the moment I’d been waiting for all these years? And was this even what I wanted anymore?
Jon rocked back on his heels. “I was going to wait until Monday to make an offer—”
“I’m bowing out,” I said.
Jon’s mouth hung open for a solid three seconds before he collected his composure. “Bowing out? Ethan, this has been your goal for the past several years. Now that I’m finally ready to step down and entrust this to you, you’re refusing me?”
“I like things the way they are now.” I was scrambling for the right thing to say. I didn’t want Jon to think I wasn’t grateful, because I was, but I also wanted to make myself clear. “Why would I want more responsibility? I don’t want to boss people around. They like me because I’m easygoing. I can’t be easygoing if I’m partner. Besides, after working with Kathryn, it’s become clear to me that she’s the better fit for the job. She’s a harder worker and she wants it more. She’s the obvious choice.”
Jon arched an eyebrow. “Are you pulling my leg?”
“No.”
My boss shook his head and sighed. “This is exactly why you’d make a good partner, Ethan. You’re selfless. You think about others. Kathryn? She’s not always like that. She’s a good person, don’t get me wrong, and she’s an asset to the company, but I worry about giving her this kind of role. She has an edge.”
“No she doesn’t,” I said softly. “Not really.”
“I never expected you to turn me down.”
“Me neither. But if you offer me the job on Monday morning, I’ll turn it down. So you might as well spare yourself the time and offer it to her. She’s earned it, Jon. Trust me.” I clapped him on the shoulder. “I have to get back in there. Keep an eye out for Mrs. Pratt. I’d like to get her input on the campaign.”
Chapter 31
Kathryn
The bartender met my eye as he shook a martini shaker aggressively. He nodded in my direction, a silent request for my drink order, and I told him I wanted a Perfect Pairing. I was there to support my client and I would spend the evening walking around with one in hand to stir up conversation if there was a lull.
As I waited, I turned my back on the bar and surveyed the ballroom.
It had come together better than I imagined it would. Somehow, we’d managed to throw an extravagant party with little notice for the eighteenth of December. I didn’t fancy myself an event planner but I couldn’t deny that I was proud of myself for pulling this one together.
I was proud of Ethan, too.
We’d worked on this and both handled our fair share of the workload. He’d delivered on his end of the deal and I had on mine. What we had before us was the result of our hard work and communication. Our clients