Page 151 of One Wealthy Wedding

“There would certainly be fewer scandals at the Christmas parties,” Jonah grumbles.

Miles grins. “Fewer naughty jokes during our speeches. Less laughing. Smaller bonuses too. You were the one who told accounting to give everyone extra last year, remember? And you changed our paternity leave policy to be primary caregiver leave.”

“George’s idea,” I say faintly. “They’re very convincing.”

“Retention has been up since you joined,” Jonah says as he takes an oyster.

“You’re the face of all our investor conferences. People look up to you,” Miles adds.

“That, yeah.” I swallow away the dryness of my mouth. “I’m just a pretty face. Anyone could do that.”

“I don’t think that’s true,” Miles says.

“I certainly couldn’t,” Jonah replies. “Remember when that investor started digging into my background? And you managed to tell him to politely fuck off, then got an additional fifty million dollars from him in investment?”

“I do,” I say slowly. “But that doesn’t make up for this. You were counting on me. I let you down.” How can I make them understand that I’m not worth what they are?

Jonah sets his glass down on the table. “If you want to leave, then leave. But Kings Lane is done too.”

Miles and I stare at him. “What did you say?”

“You heard me,” Jonah retorts. “I won’t do it without you. Either you’re in, or we’re done. We brought you on because you were the missing piece. You’re the one who understands how to run an actual business and make our employees happy, make them want to stay and work for us and do their best. You’re the one who keeps things exciting and fun and makes investors want to give us their money. You made us start recycling and put bike racks and showers in the basement for bike commuters. You told us about the building sale, for fuck’s sake. I don’t understand where this is coming from. If you want out, fine. But I don’t want to be part of a Kings Lane that doesn’t include all three of us.”

I stare mutely at him, my throat working. Jonah doesn’t have outbursts. He’s calculated and controlled.

“I agree,” Miles says quietly. “If you want out, I’m out too. We’re three partners. Not two. We’ve always worked better together.” He gives me a sad smile.

“I’m not as smart as you are—”

“For god’s sake.” Jonah shoves a hand through his hair. “You turned two thousand dollars into twenty million while you were in college.”

“Trading stocks,” I say. “That’s not what we do. Anyone can do that.”

“Well, I’d sure as hell be doing it if I were as good as you are,” Jonah says, spreading his arms wide.

“Too bad you’re shit at it,” Miles says. “You don’t have ice in your veins like Theo does.”

“You tried?” My brows go up.

“I tried everything I could to make money when I was younger,” Jonah says. “Beating the crap out of people for cash was easier than trading stock.”

Miles snorts. “I’d rather be punched in the face than try to trade. I don’t have the stomach for it. But you do. I’ve always seen that in you, Theo. Your ability to read people, combined with your head for numbers and your fearlessness.” He blows out a breath and shakes his head. “It’s rare.”

My chest warms.

If that’s all you aspire to be—people—then sure. But the words don’t hold the weight they used to.

Miles looks at me, frank and hiding nothing, like he always does. He sees everything and is always pushing us to be better. Jonah glares at me, the fierceness of his black gaze and his anger at my self-doubt better than any words of affirmation.

“Stay,” Miles says. He reaches over to clap me on the shoulder. “We need you.”

“You do?” I can’t believe it.

“We do.” Jonah leans forward. “You’re not fucking quitting.”

The blood rushes in my ears. I’ve never felt like this before. If someone pushed me off the terrace right now, I might sink like a stone, but also, I might fly.

“I’ll stay,” I say. “But there’s something I want to do if I stay.”

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