Wait. Where had that idea come from?
Absolutely not.
No more kissing Lachlan. No morethinkingabout kissing Lachlan.
“You still there, Liv?”
Good heavens, I loved his voice.
“There is one idea I’ve had for a while. It’s probably silly.” Actually I’d planned it out my senior year of college and hadn’t ever shared it with a soul.
“Let’s hear it,” Lachlan said.
“Years ago I created a business plan for my own PR agency. Sutton and Associates.”
“Sassy Sutton’s.”
I traced the grain of the wood floor with a finger. “Over the years I’ve edited the plan.”
“You’d represent more exotically handsome gamers?”
“I’d ditch the theme days.” That would be first on the agenda.
“No more Queen Elizabeth?” Lachlan asked. “I do love a good tiara.”
“I’d cut the workweek to no more than forty-five hours, with exceptions.” I was so tired of working seven days a week. And just so…tired. “I’d steal my friend Elton away, and he’d be my right-hand man. And together we’d build a business. One that cared about people and kept their best interests in mind but gave world-class public relations services without compromising on our ethics.”
“Sassy Sutton’s sounds like a solid business idea.” Lachlan sipped his coffee with noisy gusto. “I’d hire you. So why don’t you do it?”
Like it was that easy. “It takes money I don’t have.” I thought of the balance on my credit card from investing in a closet of designer clothes. Celeste expected a Gucci appearance, even though my paycheck was more Nordstrom Rack. “And most businesses fail.”
“You wouldn’t know until you tried.”
“Celeste has taken me under her wing and mentored me for years. She’s laid out a career path for me that makes sense, and I’d be stupid to walk away from Flair.” I wasthisclose to achieving that next level. “Besides, I’m happy at Flair.”
“Are you?” Lachlan asked.
“I will be when I get my promotion. Then all the long hours and sacrifices will have paid off. Failure might be beneficial when you’re playing a game, Lachlan. But it’s a huge deterrent in the real world.” And when giving your heart away. “One failure can ruin a reputation, a career—a life.” Like mine. “I cannot—Iwillnot—let that happen. That’s why I’ve stuck out this marriage, right? And it’s why I’ll make sure you come out of this winter looking like the smartest, savviest CEO to ever dominate a boardroom or walk a Hollywood red carpet.”
Plates rattled again, and from the scrapes and thuds, I knew Lachlan had gotten to his feet. “I’ll do my best not to let you down,” he said. “I’ve studied your notes on interview skills and practiced like our lives depend on it. But, Olivia, nobody’s perfect, right? If we have some losses along the way, it’s going to be okay.”
“Easy for you to say.” Yes, he had stockholders he was accountable to, but Lachlan didn’t answer to Celeste or the inner perfectionist screaming in his head. “Have you beaten your Big Bad, Lachlan?”
I heard his soft puff of laughter. “For me, it’s not about beating. It’s about overcoming challenges and ending up where I need to be.”
“Where do you want to be?” I leaned closer to the door to hear his answer. I expected him to say more movies, bigger money, and worldwide notoriety.
“I’m still figuring that out,” Lachlan said quietly. “When I get there, I’ll let you know.”
“Lachlan?” Though I needed to get to work, I was suddenly loath to lose his company. “Thank you for breakfast. And…for everything you’ve done.”
He took his sweet time in responding. “Anything for my beloved bride.”
“Meet back here for lunch?” I winced as the impulsive offer slipped off my tongue. Of course Lachlan wouldn’t want to have hallway chitchat again, especially now that he was assured I was on the mend. “Never mind. I have—”
“I’ll be here at noon,” he said. “Holler if you need anything.”
I didn’t move, didn’t breathe until Lachlan’s footfalls faded down the hall and echoed down the stairs.
