Page 7 of Heart Like Yours

I spin back to face my desk and pull the already open file a little closer.

“What did you think?” I ask, my heart pounding heavily as I hold my breath in anticipation of his answer.

“Honestly, it’s brilliant. The basics of the company are already there, so it’s more of a rebranding and slight expansion. If done correctly, stepping into the assistant services could pay off even more than what you projected.”

I pull the phone away from my ear for a brief second, trying to compose myself and not get too excited before speaking again.

“And what are your thoughts on the proposed partnerships?”

Leo chuckles. “I mean, you haven’t steered me wrong on an investment so far, so you know I’m in at whatever percentage you want me.”

Swallowing thickly, I glance toward my closed office door. “And the other one?”

He pauses for a moment, his silence hanging between us and making my stomach churn.

“I’m assuming you’re talking about the first one you sent. I read Ms. Adams’s résumé and work history. Having someone who knows the existing company could help with a smooth merger. Especially if you plan to move the new team into the same building.”

“But…” I add on.

“There’s no ‘but’ anything. She’s more qualified than the other two options you tacked on as an afterthought three hours later.”

I cringe, scolding myself for not including them in the first place. I was too distracted by the excitement of the new possible expansion while also nervous that Paige would leave.

“There is, however, something I couldn’t help but remember,” Leo adds with a teasing tone and I groan. “This wouldn’t happen to bethePaige Adams, would it? The one you’ve been pining after since the moment you hired her?”

“I have not been ‘pining after’ her,” I retort, pinching the brim of my nose. “Besides,ifit was her, she is just my employee.”

It’s a weak argument, even to my own ears. The more I say those words to myself, the less of a threat they become.

Leo is silent for a second and when he talks again, his tone is more serious.

“But if this deal goes through and she agrees, there’s not gonna be anyone beside you and me preventing you from pursuing her. She’d be your equal, or at least pretty damn close to it.”

“Listen, as much as what you’re saying is a very tempting train of thought to go down, I’m trying to make sure I make this decision professionally. Which is why I roped you in. If, and I do meanif, Leo, I do have feelings for her, I need to make sure the decision for a promotion is because she can handle it.”

“Honestly, I respect that.” Leo hums his approval. “On paper and looking internally only, she’s the perfect fit. My opinion would be to put in the offer, show her the proposals, and tell her your plan for her with the company and a new role to see if it’s something she even wants. If it is, we can schedule a call between just her and me to make sure we both agree that she’s truly the right person.”

“That’s a good plan.”

After going over details about the meeting with the lawyers tomorrow to draw up the offers and a few other details, I’m about to say goodbye when Leo stops me.

“Gare, there’s one more thing you haven’t mentioned and I want to make sure you’ve thought about what all of this could mean.”

My brows pinch together as I rack my brain for what I missed.

“What’s that?”

“Between possibly promoting Paige like this and expanding the company on such a great scale, it’s going to be harder to keep your status a secret for much longer.”

I curse under my breath, a pit forming in my stomach.

“All I’m saying,” Leo starts hesitantly, “is that you might want to finally loop in those closest to you before they find out from someone else.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” I sigh, shaking my head. “Thanks, man. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

After hanging up the phone in a rush, I suck in a slow breath and hold it for a beat before letting it out.

Leo’s not wrong. It’s been getting more difficult to keep things under wraps as I continue to grow and expand my companies.

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