“I’m not leaving you.” I pounded out a text message and hit send. “We’ll stay in a suite. We can both work from there. Hell, I may even use this opportunity to do more in-person meetings that I wouldn’t do in Ashland. Connie and my staff can hold down Sherman and Madison. I’ll be as in touch as I would be from the house.”
Julia blinked away the glassiness in her gaze. “You’ll stay here with me? I don’t know how long it will take to go through all of that information, and once I do, I want to meet again with the board.”
I nodded.
“There’s something else,” she said.
“What?”
“Diving into Wade means I’ll need to put your memoir on the back burner for the time being.”
I again reached for her hand. “Didn’t I tell you that you were the first applicant to actually show for an interview?”
“You did.”
“I think the memoir can wait. My life story isn’t going anywhere.”
“It is, Mr. Sherman.”
“It is?” I asked for clarification.
“Yes, you are now engaged to someone who because of you believes she can actually make a difference in her family’s company, someone who feels as if she’s started a brand-new life, all because of you.”
I didn’t deserve credit, but it was nice to hear. “How do you feel about facing the Butlers?”
Julia took a deep breath as her lips came together. “Better than I did this morning.”
“I didn’t tell you that I expected an ambush to frighten you. I did it to prepare you.”
“And you did, Van. You have been honest with me even when you knew it might frighten me. I’m not only talking about Wade; however, for the moment, that’s where I need to concentrate. The thing is that you’ve been honest with me from the beginning and never treated me as someone to be dismissed or too young to understand.”
“You are young and beautiful and intelligent and a quick learner, and all of the pieces that when combined make my heart swell. If I were romantic, I’d say I’m seeing you as a delicate, rare flower.” I fought the need to tease the cuff of her coat and blouse to confirm that the marks left behind from the belt were fading. Our gazes met. “In the last few weeks, your petals have opened, making you more confident and self-assured.”
Julia grinned. “I’m not sure if that’s romantic or philosophical. Either way, I’ll take it.”
I lifted her left hand. Even though it was covered by her gloves, I knew her ring finger was bare. “While we’re in the city, I say we take time to buy you a ring.”
“I’m not worried about a ring. I had one. I took it off.”
“You won’t take this one off.”
“You seem rather confident, Mr. Sherman,” she said with a smile.
“I am.”
With Julia’s hand still in mine, I gave it a squeeze as Michael pulled the sedan to the side of the busy street. We both looked up at the tall building that housed Wade Pharmaceutical’s executive offices. The labs, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers were scattered farther away in the suburbs.
“Is your dad ready to see you?” I asked.
“He knows I’m coming.”
I kissed her forehead. “Later, at the hotel, there will be lots of coming.”
A soft rose filled her cheeks, taking away her earlier look of worry.
Michael came around, opening the back door closest to the sidewalk. “Here you are, Mr. Sherman. Wade Pharmaceutical corporate offices are on the forty-seventh floor.” He tipped his chin toward the building. “Everyone is in place.”
I nodded, knowing he was talking about his security team.