“It was a lost cause from the beginning, Evan. He was never going to do it, whether the offer came from you or me.”
Evan made an ugly noise. “Or maybe this is something a lot more personal.”
Walk away. Walk away. Walk away. The drumbeat in her brain was almost loud enough to obey, but it was the whisper in the background urging her to stand her ground, to fight back, that she listened to. But this time, it didn’t feel like a mistake. It felt like a choice.
“Is that supposed to mean something?”
“It was pretty obvious the other night, but I refused to believe even you could be that stupid.” He lifted his hands in mock surprise. “But as always, Gretchen, you rise to the occasion.”
“If you’re asking me if Colton and I are dating, the answer is yes.”
“Is that what you’re doing with him? Dating? Because I got the impression it was something a lot less wholesome.”
Jack’s face darkened. “Watch it, Evan. That is your sister you’re talking to, and you will show her some respect.”
Evan tilted his head, challenging Jack in a way she’d never seen him do. “Or what? What exactly are you going to do? I’m going to outrank you soon.”
“Outrank me?”
“I am the next CEO. With my say-so, I can have security up here in five seconds to haul you out of my office.”
Jack’s hands clenched at his side. “And with my say-so, I can change your inheritance in your grandfather’s will.”
Evan’s face paled. Jack had played the one card he held, and it happened to be the only card that truly mattered to Evan. His future inheritance. Evan downed his whiskey and rounded his desk. “I’ve got another meeting in about thirty seconds. You know your way out.”
Gretchen rose and waited for Jack to do the same. Jack leveled an icy stare at Evan before standing.
Outside the office, Gretchen pulled Evan’s door shut. “That went about as well as I expected.”
“I should’ve planted my fist in his face for what he said to you.”
“I would’ve done it myself, but he’d probably just retaliate by blocking all of my projects after I join the board.”
“I have to find a way to block him from becoming CEO. As soon as he takes over, he’s going to launch that cider, and he’s going to ruin this company.”
Gretchen realized Sarah was watching them suspiciously from her desk. “We should go.”
Jack followed her to the elevator and hit the down button. “I’m sorry,” he said after a moment.
“For what?”
Jack gestured with a tilt of his head back toward the offices. “For him. For the way he has always treated you.”
“It’s not your fault. Evan is who he is.”
The elevator arrived, and Jack followed her inside with a sly look. She hit the button for the ground floor. “Why are you staring at me like that?” she asked, looking over at him.
He shrugged, softly smiling. “Nothing. It’s just nice to see you like this.”
“Like what?”
“Relaxed.” His grin widened. “I take it that it’s serious with you and Colton?”
Gretchen lowered her face to hide her expression.
Jack laughed. “You going to bring him to the gala?”
“Not sure that’s a great idea after what just happened up there.”
Jack nudged her with his elbow. “Come on. Think how much it will annoy Evan.”
A quiet hum of conversation greeted them as the elevator doors opened on the ground floor. The lobby was a steady buzz of activity. A tour group huddled by the front doors, eyes wide as they gazed at the clever mixture of rustic memorabilia and opulent decor. Others meandered among the displays.
“What about the job in D.C.?” Jack asked suddenly.
Gretchen blinked. She hadn’t even thought about it in days. “It’s not the right fit.”
“Something here fits better, huh?”
Her cheeks got hot. Jack laughed and looped his arm around her shoulder for a warm half hug. “I like him, honey. For you. And that’s saying something.”
“It’s weird. We don’t really make much sense.”
“Falling in love rarely does.”
The word was as much a jolt as the cold blast of air when they walked outside. “I didn’t say love.”
Jack lifted an eyebrow. “I know more than you think I do.”
“How? You haven’t been on a date in twenty years.” She punched his arm playfully.