5 Years Later
I stood in the conference room, watching as the last board member filed out. The acquisition of Oakridge Holdings had been contentious, but I’d managed to secure the votes I needed. Another win for Knight Industries.
“Excellent work, Mr. Knight,” said our CFO, pausing at the door. “We’ll finalize the paperwork by the end of the
week.”
“Make it tomorrow,” I replied, gathering my notes. “I want this locked down before their shareholders get cold feet.”
He hesitated, then nodded. “Of course, sir.”
The room emptied, leaving me alone with the smell of coffee and expensive cologne. I checked my watch: 2:17 PM. I’d been in meetings since 7 AM, barely stopping for lunch.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. Katherine. Again.
I silenced it without looking at the screen and headed back to my office. She’d called three times this morning, each time more persistent than the last. Whatever she wanted would have to wait.
I glanced at the desk outside my office, now occupied by Josephine Miller, my current PA, and felt the familiar twinge I had learned to ignore. I still occasionally expected to see Madison sitting there, her hair falling across her face as she concentrated on some task.
“Any messages?” I asked, pausing at Josephine’s desk.
“The Germany office called about the contract.” Josephine’s efficiency was admirable, if lacking a certain… something.
“Tell Germany I’ll call them at five. And I’m in meetings for the rest of the afternoon.”
“Of course, Mr. Knight.” Josephine nodded, already typing out the messages.
In my office, I shut the door and fired off a quick text to Katherine: In meetings until late. Talk tomorrow.
I settled behind my desk and dove into the contract revisions. The work was detailed, requiring my complete attention, which was exactly how I preferred it. Focus on work, not on-
My phone rang again. Not Katherine this time. Anthony Williams.
I hesitated, then answered. “Anthony. This better be important.”
“Hello to you too,” Anthony’s voice came through, cheerful as ever. “And here I thought you’d be happy to hear from your friend.”
“I’m busy.”
“You’re always busy. That’s your default state of existence.”
1/5
Despite myself, I felt a smile tug at my lips. “What do you want, Anthony? Some of us have actual work to do.” “Oh, I’m sorry, am I interrupting your brooding billionaire routine? My sincerest apologies.”
“I don’t brood,” I replied, leaning back in my chair. “I contemplate strategically.”
Anthony laughed. “Right. How are you, Alex? It’s been what, three weeks since drinks?”
“I’m fine. Working. Where are you calling from? Sounds noisy.”
“That’s because I’m in Connecticut. Medical outreach program for underserved communities. Very noble of me, I know.”
“Very tax deductible of you,” I corrected.
“That too,” he admitted. “But listen, the reason I called, guess who I ran into?”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t have time for guessing games.”
“Humor me. It’ll be good for that cold, dead heart of yours.”
“Fine.” I tapped my pen against the desk. “An old girlfriend? Some college professor who failed you? The woman who finally convinced you that bow ties aren’t actually cool?”
“First of all, bow ties are and will always be cool. Second, no, none of those.”
“Are you planning to break your marriage with Lyla and marry your ex?” I asked, rolling my eyes. that’s the only reason I can think of for you to be this cryptic.”
“Because
Anthony laughed. “No, my friend. Lyla would kill me, and frankly, I value my life and my testicles too much to risk either.”
“Then get to the point. Some of us have corporations to run.”
“Fine, fine. I ran into Madison Harper.”
My pen stopped mid–tap. For a moment, the world seemed to freeze around me. Five years. It had been five years since I’d heard that name spoken aloud in my office.
“Alex? You still there?”
I cleared my throat. “Yes. And?”
“And? That’s all you have to say? ‘And?“” Anthony sounded incredulous. “The woman vanishes without a trace for five years, and all you can say is ‘and‘?”
I forced my voice to remain steady. “I’m assuming you called for a reason beyond announcing random people you’ve encountered.”
“She’s running a café here in Connecticut. ‘Harper’s Haven,‘ it’s called. Cute little place. Great coffee.”
I leaned back in my chair, fighting to keep my expression neutral even though Anthony couldn’t see me. “Why are you telling me this?”
2/5
Chapter 365
“Just making conversation.” His tone was too casual to be genuine. “Also, I’m curious about something.”
“Here we go,” I muttered.
“Why haven’t you married Katherine yet? It’s been what, five years since the engagement? You keep postponing. The tabloids have a running bet on whether you’ll ever make it to the altar.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “The tabloids can go to hell.”
“Are you waiting for Madison?”
The question hit like a sucker punch. “I’m not waiting for anyone,” I snapped. “Katherine and I haven’t married because the time hasn’t been right.”
“For five years?” Anthony’s skepticism was palpable even through the phone. “That’s a hell of a scheduling conflict.”
“We’re busy people.”
“Bullshit. You’ve been engaged longer than most Hollywood marriages last.
I stood up from my desk, suddenly restless. “Is there a point to this interrogation?”
“Just calling it like I see it, Alex. You’ve been postponing the wedding ever since Madison left. It doesn’t take a genius to connect those dots.”
“There are no dots to connect,” I insisted. “Madison Harper was my employee. She quit without notice. End of story.”
“Right.”
I fought the urge to hang up. “Did she say anything about New York? About… Knight Industries?”
“Ah, now we’re getting somewhere!” Anthony sounded triumphant. “Suddenly interested, are we?”
“Professional curiosity. Nothing more.”
“Professional curiosity, my ass. But no, she didn’t mention New York or Knight Industries. She seemed happy, though. Peaceful. From what I can tell, the café’s doing well. Always packed.”
I tried to picture Madison running a café, smiling at customers, and making coffee instead of managing million- dollar projects. It seemed like such a waste of her talents.
“Is she…” I hesitated, cursing myself for the weakness. “Is she with anyone?”
Anthony’s laugh was immediate. “I knew it! I fucking knew it!”
“Just answer the question,” I growled.
“I don’t know, man. I didn’t ask about her relationship status. That would have been weird. ‘Hi Madison, remember me? I’m the doctor who treated your mother and friends with your ex–boss, whom you ghosted. Are you single?‘”
Chapter
“She didn’t ghost me,” I said automatically. “She resigned. Through HR.”
“Same difference. She left without talking to you, right?”
I didn’t answer.
“That’s what I thought,” Anthony continued. “Look, I’m not judging. I’m just saying, five years is a long time to be engaged to someone when you’re clearly still hung up on someone else.”
“I’m not hung up on Madison.”
“Then why did you immediately ask if she’s seeing anyone?”
I gritted my teeth. “Goodbye, Anthony.”
“Wait, wait! Before you hang up in a huff-” Anthony’s voice took on a more serious tone. “The café’s on Maple Street. In case you were wondering. Which you weren’t, because you’re definitely not hung up on her.”
“I’m hanging up now.”
“Tell Katherine I said hi! Oh, wait, you probably won’t see her for another week since you’re both so ‘busy‘ avoiding the wedding.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
