Page 2 of The American

The gala came to an end and everyone stood to pretend to care about each other again as they said goodbyes. Perhaps Sage shouldn’t be so jaded. She had been at this for a long time now, five years felt like forever, and it had become easier to assume the worst.

Thad and Zachary made their way straight to her.

Devon straightened and buttoned his jacket, prepared to meet who he thought were his adoring fellow business brown-nosers.

She smirked when they approached her, and ignored him. Zachary took her hand in his . “Miss Parker, This is his highness, Thad Valdez. And Thad, I hope you will watch everything this woman says and does. She is true CEO material.”

Thad raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the prospect. “I’d be happy to pay such close attention.” His eyes sparkled with such amusement that Sage almost laughed.

Devon cleared his throat. “If I may?” He looked from one to the other.

Sage took pity on him. It was difficult to be displaced so fully from one’s spot at the top of desirable men in Manhattan. “This is Devon Fenningway, fellow CEO hopeful.” She couldn’t help teasing him, might as well just say it like it was.

But Thad’s reaction surprised her. She hadn’t considered him in the running at all, but as soon as the words left her lips, he stood taller and sized Devon up. Men were so obvious. But that worried her. If he was vying for her position, was it still hers? She looked from Zachary to Thad and back again. They were tight.

Zachary turned to her. “I was wondering if you could stop by the office tomorrow morning?”

Her insides glowed with happy expectation, but she kept her face cool. “Sure, nine o’ clock?” She knew he liked to start his day early.

“Can we make it later?” Thad checked his watch, tapped it a few times, and then nodded. “I’ve got the Valdez family breakfast to attend and with the time difference and everything, it will be very early tomorrow morning before that even finishes.”

She rocked back on her heels. Something alarming was going on. And she couldn’t pinpoint what exactly. But Thad was not only invited in the morning but was dictating the timing of their meeting. Whatever had happened since the last time she had seen Zachary, all her assurances were blown out of the water. It was any person’s game at this point. She would have to up her tactics. She sidled up and put an arm in the crook of his elbow. He was an old fashioned kind of man. He enjoyed the genteel manners of address, even though he also respected her position and reputation and capability.

She sweetened her tone. “Zachary, I’m available for whatever time best suits you, of course. If Thad has to miss, I’m sure we can catch him up with whatever pertains to him.”

Thad’s eyebrow raised and took on a calculating expression. “I feel that I especially would need to be present for all matters that will be discussed.”

She lifted a shoulder, delicately. “I’d imagine you would think that. But consider opportunity cost. It’s all about productivity. Not everyone needs to be a part of every meeting.”

“I know that of course, but I would consider that given the circumstances—”

Zachary cleared his throat and Sage turned to him in surprise.

“Let’s meet later so that Thad can fulfill his family obligations. Will eleven a.m. work for you both?”

She nodded. “Absolutely. I‘ll be there. Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me?” She smiled openly to them both and waited until Zachary nodded his head. Another thing he appreciated from his upbringing. He felt the need to dismiss others when he was finished.

Thad moved closer to her. “I’ll walk you out, if you don’t mind?”

She tensed. She did mind. The last person she felt prepared to talk to was this strange prince. She planned to find the nearest cab and whip out her phone to talk to her contacts. How had things spiraled out of her control so quickly?

Thad walked at her side. “You seem like the only person in the room who understands what’s going on.” His expression was kind, supportive, but she saw a question there. And it gave her great satisfaction. He wasn’t as sure in his footing as he appeared.

“I’ve been here a long time, worked with most everyone. I might know a few things.” She hoped to leave it at that.

“Then I’ll answer the question you stilldon’tknow.” They stopped at the curb and he held up his hand to signal a cab for her.

“I hardly think you know anything I don’t.” It came out before she could stop the words. This man made it difficult to keep her business professional mask up.

He opened up the cab’s door and as she was slipping by him to climb in, he whispered, “Zachary called me.”

“What?” she stopped, her face inches from his own. She enjoyed his closeness, the hint of cologne, or maybe it was his soap. But her heart stuttered at what he said.

“Zachary initiated our discussions. He sent for me.”

His quiet whisper so close to her face sent delicious chills through her, but his words jarred.

“We may be working together more than you think.”

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