Page 85 of Hate Notes

“Yeah,” Orion admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “I learned that move from you. Remember?”

I ran my thumb over the card. “Somehow, it means even more knowing that you spoke all that in the moment and from your heart. I could believe you would be able to draft something like that, but…”

“I mean it all,” Orion said softly. “I am sorry. More sorry than I can properly express. You… are perhaps the best thing that has ever happened to me. I’ve known it for weeks, but I’ve been afraid to admit it because I was certain I couldn’t keep you. Admitting I needed you would be admitting the tragedy of losing you.”

“Same,” I said, voice thick with emotion as I failed to form words. “Same,” I said again, laughing as I let him hug me again. This time, he pulled back slightly to lift my chin and kiss me tenderly and softly.

For the first time, it felt like there wasn’t a shred of emotion held back in that kiss. It made me see stars. It made the room feel like it burst into clouds of glitter and fireworks.

When he pulled back, I had to hold onto him to keep from slumping to the ground in a smiling mess of happiness.

“Okay,” I said, letting out a heavy breath and bouncing on my toes. “I still need to do this.”

“What exactly is it you’re planning, Ember?” Orion asked, eyes searching mine.

“You’re going to have to trust my instincts. A lot. Can you do that?”

He studied me for a long moment, then nodded. "Yes."

"Even if it means letting me tell everyone the truth? About both of us?"

Another nod, slower this time. "Whatever it takes."

41

EMBER

Orion was back in his seat and the grand ballroom was already filling with faces from both companies—Foster Real Estate employees clustered on one side, Northman Group on the other, like some corporate version of West Side Story.

I halfway expected the men to tie their ties around their foreheads and start brawling while breaking out into stage songs.

"You look like you're about to jump out of your skin," Eleanor said, appearing at my elbow. She wore an elegant navy dress that somehow made her seem both regal and approachable. "Everything's arranged exactly as you requested. Though I still think you're taking an awful risk."

"I know." I smoothed my emerald dress.

Eleanor squeezed my arm. "Marcellus is ready when you are. And dear? That young man of yours hasn't taken his eyes off you since he walked in."

I didn't need to turn around to know she was right. I could feel his presence like electricity in the air. But I kept my eyes forward, watching Cole work the room with his usual swagger. He actually winked at me when he caught my eye, as if we shared some secret joke.

My hands tightened around the folder I carried. Soon he wouldn't be smiling at all.

"Places, everyone!" Eleanor called out. "Mr. Davenport would like to say a few words."

The room quieted as Davenport took the small stage. He looked frail under the lights, but his voice carried clearly.

"I've spent my life building things that last," he began. "Not just factories, but legacies. Communities. Tonight, I'll be announcing which company will help preserve that legacy."

I saw Cole's satisfied smirk, the way he was already half-rising from his chair in anticipation. I caught Orion's reflection in one of the room's mirrors. He wasn't looking at Davenport at all. His eyes were fixed on me, and there was something like understanding dawning in them.

"But first," Davenport continued, "I believe Miss Hartwell has something to share."

My heart hammered as I walked to the podium and adjusted the microphone. This was it. It was my chance to make everything right. To prove I wasn't the person who had taken this job for revenge, but someone who had grown to care about these people, this work, this company.

Someone who had fallen in love with a man everyone thought was heartless, only to discover he was anything but.

I clutched the podium like a lifeline as my legs threatened to give out from under me.

Time to blow it all up.

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