Alexander
The Summit’s panoramic view of Manhattan never failed to impress, even after countless visits. Golden hour had passed, leaving the skyline ablaze with artificial light against the darkening sky.
I spotted Anthony at our usual corner table, already nursing what looked like his second scotch.
“You’re late,” he called as I approached. “I was about to send a search party.”
I slid into the leather chair across from him. “Some of us actually work on Sundays.”
“And some of us maintain healthy work–life boundaries.” He raised his glass in mock salute. “You should try it sometime.”
The waitress materialized beside our table. “Good evening, Mr. Knight. Your usual?”
“Macallan 25, neat.” I loosened my tie as she departed. “How long have you been here?”
“Long enough to watch that group of models by the bar turn down three different trust fund kids.” Anthony grinned. “Quality entertainment.”
My drink arrived promptly, and I took a slow sip, letting the smoky liquid coat my tongue. “How’s Lyla?”
“Nice deflection. She’s fine, at her mother’s for dinner.” Anthony leaned forward, eyes narrowing. “But let’s talk about what everyone in New York is talking about. Katherine Sinclair is back.”
I kept my expression carefully neutral. “Is she?”
“Don’t bullshit me, Alex. I saw the photos of you two at Martini’s last week.” His tone was light but probing. Why is she back from London? Last I heard, she was happy running Sinclair Luxe over there.”
I swirled the amber liquid in my glass. “She’s expanding her business into New York.”
“Just like that? After years of radio silence?”
“Apparently so.” I took another sip, hoping he’d drop it.
Anthony wasn’t easily deterred. “And you’re what, helping her settle in? Playing tour guide?” He snorted. ” Careful, your martyr complex is showing.”
“It’s business, Anthony, Georgia wants to collaborate with her on a new line. I’m merely facilitating.”
“Right.” He dragged out the word. “So those dinner dates are just… business meetings?”
“Precisely.”
Anthony studied me over his glass. “What happened to Madison?”
The question caught me off guard. “What about her?”
“Don’t play dumb. The woman you were practically fucking in your penthouse when Lyla and I showed up
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unannounced. Your assistant.” He raised an eyebrow. “The one you insisted wasn’t just another conquest.”
I set my glass down harder than intended. “Madison and I are strictly professional now.”
“Really?” Anthony’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. “What happened?”
“Nothing happened. It ended. We’re moving forward.”
“Moving forward?” Anthony laughed. “Is that corporate speak for ‘we broke up‘?”
I shot him a warning look. “We weren’t dating, Anthony.”
“Could’ve fooled me.” He emptied his glass and signaled for another. “So, with Madison out of the picture, are you and Katherine…”
“I don’t know,” I cut him off.
“You don’t know?” He leaned back. “The Alexander Knight I know always knows exactly what he wants.”
“It’s complicated.”
Anthony’s fresh drink arrived, and he took a slow sip before responding. “I’m just going to say it. Madison was good for you.”
“You barely know her.”
“I know enough, and more than enough, if I’m being honest. I saw her multiple times while treating her mother; those interactions left a mark. Katherine, on the other hand…”
“Don’t start.”
“Start what? Pointing out the obvious? That she disappeared for years, and now suddenly she’s back and you’re having cozy dinners together?” He shook his head. “You’re smarter than this.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“No? Then enlighten me.” Anthony spread his hands. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’re diving headfirst back into the Katherine Sinclair whirlpool of emotional fuckery.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “She’s working with Georgia on a new fashion line. We’ve had a few business dinners to discuss the collaboration. That’s all.”
“And you believe that’s all it is to her?”
“What Katherine believes is her business.”
Anthony’s laugh was hollow. “Come on, man. We both know Katherine doesn’t do anything without an agenda. She didn’t fly back from London just to design some clothes with Georgia.”
“Sinclair Luxe is expanding. New York makes sense.”
“Of all the cities in America, she chose the one where you happen to live?” Anthony raised an eyebrow.” Convenient timing, too. Right when you started seeing someone else.”
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“I wasn’t seeing Madison,” I corrected automatically.
“Whatever you want to call it.” Anthony waved his hand dismissively. “The point is, you were with someone. Happy, from what I could tell. Then Katherine shows up, and suddenly you’re ‘strictly professional‘ with Madison?” He made air quotes around the words. “Sounds like Katherine’s return had quite an impact.”
I drained my glass, the burn of alcohol failing to distract from the truth in his words. “Madison ended things.”
Anthony’s eyebrows shot up. “She dumped you?”
“She terminated our arrangement.”
“Arrangement?” Anthony choked on his drink. “Jesus, Alex, you make it sound like a business contract.”
I signaled for another whiskey. “It’s complicated.”
“It always is with you.” Anthony leaned forward. “So Madison called it quits, and now you’re what, running back to Katherine?”
“I’m not running anywhere.”
“Then what are you doing with Katherine?”
“Nothing,” I snapped. “I told you, it’s just business.”
“Business.” Anthony nodded slowly. “So those photos of you with your hand on her back, looking at her like you want to devour her, that’s just business too?”
I clenched my jaw. “The media distorts everything.”
“I’m your oldest friend, Alex. I was there after she left.” His voice softened. “Don’t let her pull you back in.”
“I’m not.”
“Then prove it. Stop the dinners, the meetings, all of it. Let Georgia handle Katherine.”
I laughed dryly. “You know I can’t do that.”
“Can’t, or won’t?” Anthony challenged. “Because you’re still hung up on her. That’s why you’re going to these dinners, isn’t it? Some part of you is still hoping…”
“You’re wrong,” I cut him off.
“Am I? Then why are you spending time with her at all?”
I hesitated, weighing my words. “Katherine and Georgia are starting a collaboration. My father wants me involved.”
“Bullshit.” Anthony’s eyes narrowed. “Your father has never cared about the fashion division. That’s Georgia’s territory.”
“Things change.”
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“Not Edward Knight’s priorities.” Anthony leaned back, studying me. “Just admit it, Alex. You’re still thinking about her.”
“I’m not,” I insisted, even as Katherine’s face flashed through my mind. “What we had is over.”
“Then why did you let Madison go?” Anthony pressed. “If you’re really over Katherine, why end things with someone who was clearly good for you?”
“I told you, Madison ended it.”
“And you just… accepted that? The Alexander Knight I know doesn’t give up so easily on something he wants.‘
་་
His words struck closer to home than I cared to admit. Why had I let Madison walk away so easily? The office had felt hollow without our banter, our stolen moments.
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.
