Page 86 of Billion Dollar Dispute

His eyes flick up from his notes. “Our target company has seen a twenty percent growth in the last quarter.”

I nod, taking in the information. “What’s the timeline for full takeover?”

“Six to twelve months,” he replies, typing quickly. “It depends on how smoothly we can integrate their systems with ours.”

“We need to consider how this will impact our cash reserves,” I say, scribbling a note on my notepad.

A buzz interrupts me. Jemima’s name flashes on my phone. I glance at it, knowing I can’t ignore her. She never reaches out, and the curiosity eats at me.

Jemima:(picture of a slice of cake) I’m planning to eat all this. You’ll have to bake more.

Keeping one ear on the conversation in front of me, I quickly type a response.

Me:I can bake something else.

“Alright, I need a risk assessment written by the end of the day tomorrow,” I say to Janet, who nods as she taps away on her keyboard.

“Got it,” Janet replies, focused on her screen.

Jemima:I’d prefer you never bake for me again.

Me:Why?

Jemima:I like it when you’re mean. It’s easier to hate you.

Me:I’ll have to kiss you more then.

My fingers hold the phone a moment longer, the words a little bolder than I intended. I try to shake off the tightness in my chest, but I can’t deny the way her reply stirs something inside me, like a dare I can’t resist. There’s a rush inside. My gaze shifts back to the room, forcing myself to refocus as I try to keep my composure. We continue running through the rest of the agenda and after an hour, it’s time I wrap up. “Thanks, everyone. Let’s make sure we cover all our bases before moving forward. Meeting adjourned.”

The team begins to pack up, and I review my notes on my laptop as they all file out. I take one last look at Jemima’s text. She hasn’t replied. Finishing my notes, I head over to Esme’s desk to handle any waiting tasks and approvals.

After completing my work at the office, I head to Recaredo Events, ready to finish my day there. My mind keeps drifting to Jemima. The kiss we shared is seared into my brain and I want more. Spending time with her makes me feel alive, heard, capable, and appreciated.

She’s lived a life much harder than anyone I know, and fuck, she’s still crawling her way through the damage. All I want to do is help her. She deserves to be happy. I’ve never met anyone more deserving. Starting with her bland and non-existent office decor… She deserves to let go of the past. This is her company, and it needs life injected into it. I’m going to pay for it as a gift for her.

I make a call on my way and organize for Susie, my interior decorator, to come over in the next hour. Jemima will be back from lunch soon, and I want her to meet Susie.

When I arrive at the office, I walk past Jemima’s. Instead of her usual hard expression, she greets me with a soft, “Hello.”

“Do you have any appointments in the next two hours?” I ask, approaching her desk. She swivels her chair to face me, her curiosity evident.

“No, why?”

“I’ve arranged for an interior designer friend to come by and discuss updating your office.”

Raising an eyebrow, she leans back. “A lady friend.”

“Jealousy looks good on you,” I tease, enjoying the flush of color on her cheeks.

She snorts with an eye roll. “You wish. I’m not a jealous person.”

I put my hands on her desk and lean in closer, my voice dropping to a low murmur. “If it makes you feel better, I haven’t slept with her. And won’t.”

“You can do whatever you want, I don't care,” she challenges me, her gaze locked onto mine.

“I don’t know about you, but that kiss meant something to me,” I fire back, the hurt seeping into my tone.

“Shh, Molly’s out there,” she hisses, her eyes darting to the door.

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