Page 118 of The Romance Library

‘Of course it is! We’re not running a charity. Your penthouse didn’t pay for itself. Nor did your education. Show some gratitude!’

I ground my jaw. I didn’t want to get into an argument, but it was inevitable.

‘You shouldn’t have come today!’ I thrust open the back door and stepped through it. ‘I had everything under control. And your presence has been a hindrance rather than a help.’

‘I had no choice. You refused to send over the presentation, so I had to come and make sure you sealed the deal.’

‘You don’t get it, do you?’ I blew out an exasperated breath. ‘Edwin asked us to stay here for a reason. He wanted to show us how important the community was to him. I told you that from the beginning. That’s why I included community elements in my pitch. But your reaction undermined everything.’

‘You took it too far! Sponsoring the local football team or throwing some money at a local charity would’ve sufficed. Suggesting we give up the opportunity to secure millions in profit with that housing idea was ludicrous!’

‘It’s irrelevant now anyway.’

‘Why?’ He frowned. ‘Surely you don’t think he’ll choose that girl’s juvenile pitch over ours?’

‘She’s not a girl. Jess is a woman. And her pitch was passionate, insightful and brilliant. A romance library will be a much better fit for this town. That’s why I’m telling Edwin that we’re withdrawing from the pitch.’

‘What?’ His eyes flew so far out of their sockets they could’ve landed on Mars. ‘You’ll do no such thing!’

‘Watch me.’ I turned my back, then strode inside. Just as I stepped into the corridor leading towards Edwin’s office, I spotted Jess.

‘Everything okay?’ She frowned. ‘I forgot my notebook and when I came back I saw you and your dad out there.’ She pointed to the playground, where I’d just finished arguing with him.

‘I told my father that I’m withdrawing. I’m going to tell Edwin now.’

‘What?’ Her jaw dropped. ‘Why?’

‘I don’t want to compete with you, Jess. And your idea will be better for the community. Your pitch was fantastic and you deserve to win. I don’t want anything or anyone to stand in your way.’

I knew withdrawing meant pissing off my father. If he wanted to be really petty, he’d fire me and cut me off, ensuring I’d lose everything. Not just my job, but the penthouse and the cars too.

But as irresponsible as it sounded, I didn’t care. I wanted Jess to succeed. Right now, her happiness was all that mattered to me.

Jess stood there, stunned into silence.

‘I…’ She opened her mouth, swallowed hard, then tried to speak again. ‘I don’t know what to say. I’m so grateful you’d even consider doing that for me. Especially when I know what’s at stake. But I can’t let you.’

‘I want to. I don’t give a shit about the stakes anymore. I know my father will fire me, but I don’t care. I just want you to be happy.’

‘I want you to be happy too. I appreciate you offering to withdraw, but please don’t. If I win this, I also need to know it’s because it was Edwin’s decision. Not because you did me a favour. Do you get what I mean?’

I squeezed my eyes shut and winced. I was so focused on wanting Jess to win that I hadn’t even considered how she’d feel about me stepping aside. She wanted to win on merit and I respected that.

‘Yes. I understand.’

‘Thanks,’ she said softly.

‘Tell me you haven’t done something stupid!’ Father’s voice boomed down the corridor.

‘Lucky for you I haven’t spoken to Edwin,’ I spat back.

‘Smart boy. We’ll talk about your little outburst later, but I was just on the phone to Harold.’ My blood ran cold. ‘He said that Penelope’s looking forward to seeing you again tomorrow and wanted to know whether you two planned to dine at the house in the country or if you preferred somewhere in town. Perhaps somewhere near your penthouse will be better. You’ll have more privacy. I know you two have a lot of catching up to do.’

Father raised his eyebrow suggestively, as he stared at Jessica.

Bastard.

I’d completely forgotten that my father had set up that date with Penelope after the presentation, because I had no intention of going.

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