Page 8 of Why Not Forever?

“Good morning, Denise,” she says to the woman at the front desk. “Any messages?”

“None. But Spencer said he needs to talk with you about an upcoming event. And Derek wanted a meeting with all of you to discuss some purchases for Crescent Beach. It’s set for today after lunch.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see Spencer in a minute. This is Tanner. He’s here to see Vic. I’ll take him back.”

I nod to the receptionist and follow along as Adalie tugs me through the staff lounge.

“Would you like a coffee or tea before I feed you to the wolf?” she asks.

I adjust my glasses. “I think of her as more of a tiger than a wolf. Or maybe a black panther.”

Adalie laughs again. It’s easy to make her laugh.

“Coffee? Tea?” she repeats.

I shake my head. Better to not have anything in my hands that I can fidget with.

Adalie tugs me through the lounge to the other side where the offices are and goes to the far corner. I don’t drag my feet. I want to. But Adalie draws me forward, and I let her.

We get to the door, which is standing open, and Adalie says, “Morning, Vic. Someone here to see you.”

And there she is. Her raven black hair swept up in an elegant bun, her creamy white skin flawless, and her ice-blue eyes piercing in their intensity. God, she’s gorgeous.

Her desk is clear of debris. Like my desk, she has almost no decorative items except for one mug with three bands of colour in pink, purple, and blue, with a small rainbow flag sitting inside it.

Adalie gives me a little shove and I realize I’ve frozen at the door. I walk in, pulling up my practiced professional smile. I wave to Adalie and shut the door, taking a seat across from Vic. She hasn’t said anything yet, just watching me with a guarded expression.

I sit back in the chair, feigning a relaxed pose. “Hello, Vic.”

“Tanner,” she responds. “What are you doing here?”

“I have a business proposition for you.”

She arches one black eyebrow and sits back, elbows on the arms of her chair, fingers pressed together in front of her. “Is that so? What makes you think I’ll have any interest in this business proposition?”

“Because it involves Sterling.”

Her eyes narrow and her head tilts slightly, telling me I have her attention. I’d practiced this speech at least twenty times in the last twelve hours, going over it and over it until I got it just right.

“I want to start by saying you have to listen until the end. I promise it will be worth your while.”

She blinks slowly, but doesn’t say anything.

“I had dinner with Richard last night. He told me he’s considering retirement.”

Her eyes widen in shock, but she remains silent as I’d asked.

“He said he wants me to take over Sterling, but only if I’d be willing tobecomea Sterling.”

She sits up straight, her hands landing flat on her desk, and I know she wants to speak, so I hold up my hand.

“He wants us to get married. I don’t know why he thought I could just waltz in here and ask you and expect you to say yes, but it got me thinking. I need you to get the business, right? If you don’t agree to marry me, Richard won’t give me anything. But why would you agree to marry me unless you get something in return?”

“Like what?” she asks, breaking her silence.

“Half of what I get.”

I had expected her to start asking questions right away—why I would do this, why I would come to her and not just try to manipulate her. I have answers for these questions, if she wants them, but she doesn’t ask.

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