Page 12 of Embrace Me Forever

“Anytime,” he says, flashing that smile again, crow’s feet and all. There’s a charm in those little lines, adding a rugged attractiveness that’s hard to ignore. He must be in his late thirties or early forties—and, I bet, experienced.

“You seem to know Rob and Clayton Hartley well,” I comment.

“I’ve worked with them for over a decade, so yeah, I’d say I do.”

“That’s reassuring. Maybe I can ask you to do something for me.” I venture, testing the waters. His eyes soften, and for a moment, there’s a spark that makes me straighten in my seat, ready to seize it like a fleeting firefly.

I continue. “Are you good at distracting your passengers?”

He chuckles, the spark in his gaze lingering. “Well, what kind of distraction are you after, Ms. Williams?”

Him, pretending to be my partner, guiding me through this presentation.Shit!I quickly dismiss the silly idea. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Hey, no need to apologize,” he says, his tone easy. “How about you tell me who your favorite singer or band is?”

This man has a knack for disarming people. For someone who’s harboring a lot of secrets, I would hate to be in an interrogation room with him. I would crumble in the first few seconds. “Lainey Wilson.”

“I’m not familiar with her, but I’m sure it’s good music.”

“She’s a country singer. My second favorite is LeAnn Rimes.”

“Mind if I play some of their songs for you?”

“Sure.” His sweet gesture melts me just enough, like sunlight kissing a glacier. I didn’t expect such kindness from a chauffeur for a billion-dollar company, especially when I feel so vulnerable. So far, my instincts about Hartley Marine being a rare-breed company seems spot on.

Blake then says, “Then I’ll let you settle down. There’s chilled water in the compartment next to you and some snacks if you feel like it. A bit of sugar might help.”

The journey feels lighter, and he’s kept me pleasantly occupied without even trying to dive into deeper conversations. Which would be my undoing if I slipped up. I can’t help but wonder what it would be like if I didn’t have secrets. What kind of supportive man would he be?

After about an hour, I don’t have to ask, ‘Are we there yet?’ Even from a distance, the destination is unmistakable. First, the massive globe-like structure of gleaming glass comes into view. It’s enormous, undoubtedly big enough to house the luxury yachts they manufacture.

As we get closer, the sheer scale of the complex becomes even more striking—it probably has its own postal code. The generous green spaces and the glassy facade make it look like something out of a sci-fi movie.

When we finally pull up, Blake turns to me with that same reassuring smile. “Here we are. Ready to make your pitch?”

I take a deep breath. “Ready.”

As I step out of the car, a backward glance at Simon Blake is irresistible. His interactions with me flowed with ease, naturally calming my nerves throughout the ride. He became more than idle conversation—he was a momentary respite. But as I cross the threshold, I know this brief escape must end.

Standing before this surreal building, I feel small but not hopeless. Because from now on, everything I do is for Coco.

4

BLAKE

I guide my guest to the reception area, and my arm extends behind her, maintaining a polite distance. I tell Emma, the receptionist, “Ms. Georgia-May Williams is here to see Mr. Hartleys.”

“Welcome to Hartley Marine, Ms. Williams,” Emma greets her and passes me a visitor lanyard, which I help her put on.

“Thanks,” she says.

Sweet smile, bright eyes, and oh-so young. Those twinkles and restrained lip movements. I’ve been around long enough to spot the telltale signs of a crush. Whether she realizes it or not, she’s sending plenty my way.

It’s flattering, no doubt. But I can’t forget that this woman, armed with what she calls a ‘do-or-die proposal’ for Rob and Clayton, isn’t just waving a few red flags. She’s a full-blown storm warning. On a personal note, I’ve uncovered that she’s also a mother, though the identity of her child’s father and the child’s whereabouts remain a mystery. I haven’t looked further into it, partly out of fear of what I might find and partly because it’s straying too far from what I should be concentrating on. My so-called friendly background checks have already gone wellbeyond mere diligence. Yet, I’m still unsure of the precise threat she poses to Hartley Marine.

“This way, please, Ms. Williams.” I usher her toward the conference room.

“Please, call me Georgia-May.”

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