Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
A gong sounds and people start taking their seats. Frank and Grant say goodbye. Caroline reaches for my hand and squeezes. “So good to see you, darling. Glad we’ve run into each other all these years later.”
“She acted like—” Jules whispers as we move to our table. She’s practically stuttering over Caroline’s audacity.
I chuckle. “Like we were old friends reunited. So very typical of her. She doesn’t really get how her actions affect anyone. Or doesn’t care.”
Why was I so worked up about seeing her? It’s not like I want her back.
“Are you okay?” Jules whispers.
I nod. “I am.” I squeeze her leg under the table and sit back. It’s like something’s been released in me that’s been bolted in place for years. “Thank you for being here.”
She reaches up and pushes her fingertips through my hair, over my ear. “It’s my pleasure,” she says.
The rest of the members of my team join us at the table. Fisher sends over six bottles of vintage champagne before the awards announcements even begin.
“I think it’s shitty that they don’t announce your award first,” Jules says.
“You do?”
“Yeah, because then you could sit back and relax.”
“But would we stay?” I ask. “I’m not sure I could sit through all these awards if I wasn’t waiting for mine at the end.”
“I thought you’ve been to these awards before?”
“Only when I’ve been nominated for Developer of the Year. It’s a networking opportunity. I’m rarely in my seat.” Realistically, I don’t know if I’ll attend again. What’s the point? I’ve built a reputation so everyone in New York real estate knows me. I’d prefer to be at home right now. Or at dinner with Jules one-on-one.
“You do a lot of late-night events,” she says. Her tone is off. A few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have noticed, but I know her better now. What’s she thinking?
“Yeah. People tend to be more available in the evenings. It’s often easier to get dinner in someone’s diary than a meeting.”
She nods. “Right. Makes sense.” She clears her throat and busies herself smoothing her napkin in her lap. “I’ve hired a guy to help me move out tomorrow,” she says. “I don’t want to outstay my welcome. I’ve taken tomorrow off and I’m working Sunday. So tomorrow morning, I’ll have coffee with Dad and then I’ll be out of your way by the time you get home.”
It takes me a couple of minutes for my brain to process exactly what she’s saying. When her words land, the knot in my stomach I was expecting when I saw Caroline earlier finally twists my insides. “You’re moving out tomorrow?” I keep my voice low.
“Yeah. That was the plan, right? We have the awards tonight and then, that’s it?”
I’ve been so focused on tonight, I haven’t thought about what comes next. What she’s saying makes sense. The deal was that Jules would pretend to be my fiancée until tonight. And although lines have been blurred, it’s not like we’re really engaged.
“I’m just going to the restroom,” she says, before I get a chance to answer.
The awards are whizzing by quickly. Ben, sitting next to me, warns me I’m up next, or I wouldn’t have noticed that Developer of the Decade was about to be announced. I turn to see where Jules is. She’s nowhere in sight.
Jonathan comes onstage and I can feel people’s eyes on me. I focus on the stage—and realize that Jules is standing slightly behind him. Why is she onstage? She doesn’t know him.
Dread spreads through my brain and down my spine. What is happening? Am I about to be embarrassed in front of the entire industry? Is Jules in on some kind of scheme?
I tune in to what Jonathan is saying. He’s going through some of the developments I’ve brought to market over the last decade. People interrupt with smatterings of applause. I glance across at Caroline, who’s grinning up at the stage as if she’s enjoying the description of my success.
Jonathan steps to the side and Jules takes his place. I hold my breath, gripping the table, waiting.
“How Leo Hart does business is just as important as how successful he is. He’s as popular in the office, with all the people who work for him, as he is with the people he sits across from at the negotiating table. He’s a man whose word stands for something. A man of principles and integrity. I’m lucky to be his fiancée, and proud to tell you that the man you’re celebrating tonight deserves every honor and then some. Let’s all welcome to the stage, Developer of the Decade, easy to like, easy to love, Leo Hart.”
Our table is just steps from the stage, so I’m face-to-face with Jules in a couple of seconds. Our eyes lock as she hands me the award. Yes, she had to say all those things about me, but did she mean it when she said I was easy to love?