Page 79 of Escorting the Mogul

“Thanks.” He grinned at me. “I’m happy to hear it.”

My stomach swooped with a mixture of hope and dread. “Who’s going to be the maid of honor?” I asked, but I already knew the answer.

“Audrey wants to ask Jenny. That’s part of why I’m here—I wanted to run that by you. Like I said, I know the timing sucks.” He blew out a deep breath. “But sheisher best friend.”

“I know.” Knowing I’d see Jenny again made me feel a little better, even though it hurt. “I’m fine with it—it’s your wedding. I won’t mess it up with any drama.”

James watched me for a beat. “I hope you two can work things out.”

“We’ll see,” I said noncommittally. “Maybe it’s for the best, anyway. My father said he’d disinherit me if I kept dating a hooker.”

James arched an eyebrow. “Seriously? Your dad said that?”

I nodded. “He hired a private investigator to look into her. When he found out she worked for the agency, he threatened to leave his fortune to the hockey coach I just fired. And my bitchy neighbors.”

“That’s ridiculous,” James said.

I snorted, which made my head hurt. “It’s something, all right.”

“What are you going to do?” James asked.

I shrugged. “It might not matter if Jenny’s gone for good.”

The thing was, I waspissedat Jenny. My pride was wounded. Still—and maybe it was because my ego was huge—I couldn’t quite believe she’d left me because ofme. Maybe if we had another chance, I could make her see that she was wrong. Maybe I could convince her that she belonged in my world.

“If there’s anything I can do, just let me know,” James said, interrupting my thoughts.

My brain might be hungover and fogged, but the venture capitalist in me was scheming. There had to be a way to get what I wanted. There was always a way.

And what I wanted was to get Jenny back.

“Actually, youcanhelp me out,” I said quickly. “If it’s not asking too much.”

James arched an eyebrow. “Usually, it’s asking too much. But go ahead. What are you thinking? You look like you’re about to negotiate a big deal.”

“How about you organize some wedding events sooner rather than later? You know, Todd-and-Evie style?” I asked. Todd and Evie hosted multiple dinners and cocktail parties leading up to their wedding. It had lent the occasion serious socialcapital while allowing their families and friends to extend the celebration.

The more events we had, the more time I’d have to be around Jenny. It would be more time to convince her she’d been wrong to leave.

“You aren’t above using my engagement to your advantage, are you?” James snorted.

“Not at all.” I laughed. “But seriously, it might help to break the ice between Jenny and me. That way, things aren’t too awkward at the ceremony.”

James blew out a deep breath. “Let me talk to Audrey, okay? Things are tense with my mother’s legal situation right now.”

“All the more reason to stay busy,” I offered. “Bonus points if there’s travel involved. That way, Jenny won’t be able to run away again.”

James stood to go, shaking his head. “You’re incorrigible, you know that?”

“I do know that.” I grinned.

“What about your father? What are you going to do about him?” James asked.

“I’ll handle him. If you can manage your parents, I can manage my dad. But enough about me.” I patted him on the back. “Congratulations, man. I’m happy for you. Not only do you get to marry Audrey, you get me as a best man.”

James shook his head. “I’m a lucky guy.”

“The luckiest.”

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