Page 16 of Whiskey Lies

“Good,” she says, placing her glasses on the desk. She basks in the light of the sun which pours in through two large windows.In between the windows the bright word Love, which is painted on a picture, taunts me in red. What the hell do I know about love?

And yet, for a few moments this weekend, I actually felt more like I knew what it meant than all the years I was married to Steven.

What is wrong with me?

“So, our new client is quite the up-and-coming bachelor. He’s about to take over his family’s whiskey business, although the James family is known for a lot more than just whiskey now. But that is where the money originally came from, and apparently that remains Cassius’s passion.”

I nod as I listen and wait for her to slip me the paper with the information on our client.

“His grandmother would like him to settle down now that he will be the head of the family, and she’s tasked us with finding his future wife. I don’t have to tell you what a big project this is for you. Not only will this client bring attention from the media, but as promised, it’s your ticket to partner.”

I smile. That is all I care about. Every other fact is just a means to an end. “I’m ready for this, Marion. I’m going to make you proud.”

Her lips curl. “I have no doubt.” She places the paper down and looks at me. “Look, Sweets, Asher wants me to take a step back.He’s tired of me commuting to the city, and we both believe that you’re the person to take over. You know we don’t have children, and well, we’ve always thought of you as a daughter.”

My eyes burn from the betrayal. Dammit, this is harder than I thought. “Marion, I’m honored.”

“So I’m leaving this one to you. Prove to me you have the ability to find Cassius his match. That you have it, and you won’t only be partner, the company will be yours.”

I inhale sharply and shake my head. “That’s not what I want, Mare. I love working with you. I need you.”

Marion smiles. “No, you don’t, darling. But you’ll always have me. Now let’s go meet your newest client.”

“So what else do you know about Mr. James?” I ask as we walk into the office building. There’s brick on the interior walls which I find so refreshing and proper for a whiskey company.

“Well, interestingly, he’s not the oldest of the siblings. He’s also not the correct generation to be taking over.”

I look at her quizzically.

“Remember how I said it was the grandmother that was pulling the strings? Well, the son is MIA. Gambling or drugs or something or other. The grandparents raised the four children and Cassius is third in line. Not the likely heir, as one would say.”

Something about that sounds familiar, but I’m not sure why. Almost sounds like a lifetime movie I might have watched. Or the plot of the latest bestseller.

We ride the elevator, and I spin the rings on my finger. They feel foreign after not wearing them all weekend. But I have to keep up appearances.

On the 33rd floor, we are greeted by oak barrels strategically placed throughout the office. The entire space smells familiar but I can’t quite place why. Brick runs the entire back wall, but the room is bright from the floor-to-ceiling windows which encase the entire office.

A woman greets us with a smile. “Welcome to James Spirits. Do you have an appointment?”

Marion responds as I allow my eyes to wander through the office. “Grace, she’s going to bring you to meet with the client while I meet with his grandmother. We’ll grab lunch all together afterward if necessary. Will you be okay to handle him on your own?”

This is my time to shine—to prove to her that I can handle this—and will move me one step closer to my freedom. “Of course. I’ve got it covered.”

“Great,” the receptionist responds. “Follow me this way.” As I walk off, Marion looks on with a twinkle in her eye and gives me a small wave.

I follow behind the receptionist and focus on my shoes. I’m wearing black Manolo Blahnik heels with an emerald-green silk wrap dress which hugs my curves and brings out the color of my eyes. I left my hair down but curled it at the ends, and it looks a bit lighter from the sun. Paired with my black glasses, I carry myself tall and detached.

This look is exactly what men like Cassius James need. Someone who is above reproach, not sexy, and not likely to fall for their charms.

The receptionist knocks on the door, and a man’s voice summons us in. I walk behind her with my head held high and a smile on my face. “Mr. James, this is Mrs. Kensington. Your grandmother scheduled her to meet with you.”

Cassius lifts his eyes, and I practically collide into the receptionist when I meet his whiskey ones.

“Cash,” I whisper, a sense of dread washing over me.

His eyes hold mine, and he addresses his receptionist. “Lucy, that will be all. I’ll take it from here.” She nods and walks out without a glance in my direction. Before the door has even hit the latch, Cash stalks to my position and pulls me to his chest. “Grace, I can’t believe you’re here. How did you find me?”

I allow myself a few seconds to be held and inhale his natural scent, closing my eyes and pretending this isn’t the scenario we’ve found ourselves in. I know when I look up at him and tell him why I’m here, he’ll never look at me the same. Before I can respond, he moves his hands to my cheeks and cradles my face, kissing me softly. It’s like it’s second nature. A kiss between two people who expect to do it regularly—and it reminds me why it all felt so real.

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