Page 76 of Boss Level

What Kandace and I were doing was further along in the process. Some of the better ideas didn’t grab the attention of every partner, but still caught some of our eyes. She and I were looking over those that we were considering, but no one else was interested in.

The thing I disliked about this part of the process was that it was unlikely we’d invest in 99% of these, not because they were bad ideas, but it took more than a great concept to skyrocket to success. The odds said most of these didn’t have the kind of support behind them—business plan, charisma, platform, or something else—to make them a reality.

She started with the first idea on the list—a gaming company. No surprise there. We were tech investors, and every other Joe Developer had theHottest Idea Ever(TM) for a new game.

Judith’s idea hadn’t been unique on the surface, but the way she planned to execute it, the industry support she gathered, her experience and drive, all made it one of a kind.

Because she was brilliant. Had vision. Was a vision.

If the timing in our lives had been different, she would’ve been mine years ago. It was a thought I rarely let myself put into words, and it ached now.

Because she and I being involved romantically was like these pitches—on the surface it was a solid concept.

But in practice…

“Pass,” I said as Kandace was halfway through reading a bullet point aloud.

She looked at me, brows raised. “Excuse me?”

I shouldn’t have talked over her. “It’s not working for me.”

“Same.” She sighed, made a mark on the page, and set it aside.

Why not?

That was the same thing I kept asking myself about Judith. Why couldn’t she and I—

Because Rosie was right. I’d hold her back. Judith should be mine, she should’ve been from the start, and she never could be, because—

“Are you sure this is a good time?” Kandace’s question cut through the rambling thoughts.

“Yes. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Besides the fact that you’re not listening to me?” She nodded at the paper in my hand.

I looked down to see the edges frayed and tattered. A print-out that had been fresh off the printer when I walked in here.

“Is it about the phone call?” Kandace asked.

Good excuse. “It is. I’m hoping to talk to Wade before I spread the news far and wide, but there’s a solution for the AcesPlayed issue.”

“Yeah?” Kandace grinned. “No wonder you’re off in Xander Land.”

What the…? “The fuck is Xander Land?”

“I assume it’s where you go when your mind isn’t here, and that it’s next door to Dominicberg and Judithville.”

Clever. They did tend to be the source of my distractions, but I wasn’t sure I liked being that obvious. “Maybe I’m thinking about porn.” Inappropriate thing to say at the office? Without question. I wouldn’t say it to anyone but Kandace, and only because she saw the term as a business word more than a sexual one.

Which was why her blush surprised me.

“Maybe, but unlikely.” Was that a hint of shyness in her voice?

Perfect excuse to take the attention off me. “You’ve been different since you got back from Italy.” An honest observation, but not at all relevant to the conversation.

Her face went redder. Her Italy trip was months ago. Fascinating. “I’m not. The allure of that stunning place has faded.”

“Maybe. But something else is lingering. Are you daydreaming about the perfect sandwich shop?”

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