by Mika Jolie
I enter his office, adrenaline flooding me. “Oh, Jagger,” he says, his expression softening. “Good to see you. I was hoping we could debrief after the Northside party. It sounds like everything went well.”
If he picked up on the sexual tension between me and his daughter this week, he doesn’t say anything, and maybe that’s for the best. It’s probably written all over our faces that we’re involved, and the rumors won’t be long coming. I haven’t seen her since dropping her off at the train station, but there was an unspoken energy between us, a tentative desire to move forward and see where this takes us. She’s also traveling for work the next two weeks. I can only hope that desire will still be there after I do what I need to do.
“Yes, it did,” I say in a curt tone of voice, dropping into the chair across from him, “but that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Oh?” He leans back in his chair, furrowing his brow. “Okay, then. Is it about the McGowan edits? I know they’ve been pretty particular, but you’re getting close. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”
I clear my throat. “No, it’s not that, either.” There’s a long pause while he eyes me, waiting for an explanation. Now or never. Taking a steady breath, I look my boss in the eyes and say, “I’d like to concede the Digital Strategy Manager job to Charlotte.”
Richard blinks, stunned. “Why?”
It’s now or never. I swallow any trace of hesitation. ”I’m resigning. This is my two weeks’ notice.”
19
Jagger
I can’t remember the last time I had a workstation of my own. It’s strange seeing it now, a desk that was once covered in marketing reports and take-home work now covered in sketchbooks, pens, paints, and tablets. It feels almost surreal, like everything that’s happened over the past few days. But it also feels right. Like I’m finally coming home.
Today is officially my first day as a self-employed artist. Some things I’m still figuring out, but a lot of progress has been made as well—my website is up and running, LLC is official, and I’ve managed to secure my first freelance job for Hudson and River Baldwin. I also have six months’ savings before my last paycheck, a degree from a selective college, and drive. And that’s all I need.
Whatever happens, I’ll make it work, as long as it means not spending another day spinning my wheels at Sloan. Richard was surprisingly respectful of my decision, probably because I’ve made his own decision that much easier for him. But it’s not his reaction I’m worried about.
Speak of the devil.
I turn around when I hear my doorbell ring, and part of me knows who it’s going to be before I even go to answer it. That’s how these things always work out, right?
Charlotte is standing in the hallway, looking as put-together as always, her hands jammed in her pockets and her green eyes bright with confusion and anger.
“Carol from bookkeeping gave me your address,” she says when I open the door. “I’m technically on my lunch break right now, and I’ll have to get back soon. It’s a little hard doing your job as well as mine.”
I clear my throat. So the cat’s out of the bag. “Do you…want to come in?”
She shakes her head. “No. I don’t.” There’s a long moment of silence as she crosses her arms, looking like she’s trying to figure out what to say, and a familiar fire lights up her face. “What the fuck, Jagger?” she demands. “Why the hell did you quit?”
“I’m sorry.” I rub the back of my neck. “And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you first. But I just needed to get out. If I didn’t do it then, I was afraid it wasn’t going to happen.”
“But why?” She takes a step closer to me, searching my face. “Was this because of what happened after the party?”
“Yes,” I reply. “I mean, kind of…but not really.” I sigh. “Look, I know you probably think I did it because of you, but I—”
“I thought you were past this. I thought we were past this.”
“Past what?”
“This whole—” she air quotes, “‘I’ve got to distance myself because Charlotte’s my boss’s daughter and I need to be professional no matter what’ thing,”
“Let me explain.”
She throws her arms up, her frustration evident. “I told you I could handle my business. And now I’m hearing you quit right after we slept together… What am I supposed to think? This was supposed to be about merit, not favoritism. I thought you of all people would understand that!”
“I do understand that,” I protest, “and that’s why I quit. Don’t you get it? You were always meant to get that job. I don’t belong at Sloan.”
“That is such bullshit,” she snaps. “You, Jagger Crane, Mr. Work My Ass Off For The Company, don’t belong at Sloan?”
“I never did.” I notice the hurt on her face and wanting to kiss it away. “You were the one who showed me that.”
“Gee, isn’t that convenient?” She puts her hands on her hips, shaking her head. “You know what—” she puts her hands on her hips “—you’re a coward. You say you’re willing to do whatever it takes to get this job, and then you pull the plug because of me.”
“That’s not it,” I tell her, taking her by the shoulders. “This wasn’t out of pity, or fear that you’d win by default. Being with you just…finally showed me what I needed to do.”
“Right.” She pushes my hands away. “I’m sick of being a stumbling block for you,” she tells me, her eyes glistening. “Because I…care about you.” Her expression goes hard again. “Although I guess that’s just one more mistake, right?”
“Charlotte…” I begin, but she’s already turning around and storming away down the hall—not for the first time, but quite possibly for the last.
20
Charlotte
I don’t cry. I hate crying.
I cried when Mom and Dad divorced. I cried when she went on her first bender. I cried when I realized I was better off locking my heart away than exposing myself to the pain I saw in her eyes.
And I’m crying again now, as the elevator ascends and the hurricane of my feelings finally descends on me. I don’t even know what I’m crying about…except that everything seems to have fallen apart at once… and Jagger is in the middle of it all. I need to talk to Dad.
A few of the others stare at me as I barrel past reception and down the hallway, wiping my eyes furiously with my sleeve as I go. They’re probably all wondering what the resident daddy’s girl got herself into now. And for all I know, maybe they’re right.
I throw Dad’s office door open without knocking, storming in and standing across from his desk, my hands balled into fists at my sides. He looks up from his work, confused at first, with growing concern when he sees the tears in my eyes. “Charlotte? Honey, what’s wrong?”
“The promotion.”
He gets to his feet, reaching across the desk to me. “I was going to tell you. You got it.”
“Yeah. That’s the problem.” I shy away from his hand. “Jagger dropped out, didn’t he? What did you say to him?” I’m grasping at straws now, and I know it, but I’m desperate for some excuse, some reason that the man I’ve developed feelings for would have balked because of who my father is.
“I didn’t say anything,” Dad replies, brow furrowing. “Charlotte, what’s the matter? I thought you wanted this job.”
“I did. I do.” I shake my head. “But not like this. Not because you’re my dad, or because I was always going to get it because everything in life has been handed to me, and Jagger backed out because he knew that, and—”
“Darling,” Dad says, holding up his hands to stop me. “Slow down.”
“I want to earn my success here,” I interrupt. “I’ve always wanted that. I don’t want people to look at me and think I just rode your coattails to the top. I don’t want…” My voice cracks. “I don’t want Jagger to think that.”
There’s a long moment of silence. “Jagger doesn’t think that,” Dad says finally.<
br />
I just stare at him, rigid.
He moves around his desk, coming to face me and putting his hands on my shoulders. For a moment I feel like a little girl again, looking up at him as he comforts me after a failed test or a skinned knee. “Jagger was the one who came to me,” he tells me. “He told me he’s leaving so he can start his own illustration business. We had an…interesting discussion.” There’s a pause, and he looks like he’s struggling to find the right words. “It sounds like he really wanted this,” he says quietly, “like this was a dream he’s had for a while.”
Illustration business. I remember him telling me about it, but… I swallow hard. “I didn’t know that.”
“Look,” Dad says, “I know you’ve struggled here, and I know it’s not easy dealing with people who think you’re here just because you’re my daughter. But you know different. I know different.” He hesitates, taking a long breath, and then says, “You were always the best person for the job.”
“You’re just saying that.”
“I’m not.” He squeezes my shoulders. “There’s a drive in you that blows everyone else here out of the water. And I’m not just saying that because you’re my daughter. Everyone can see it, and that scares them. It’s easier to blame it on nepotism than admit that it’s because you’re unbelievable. And as for Jagger…” He gives me a small smile. “He’s a hard worker, but his passion was elsewhere. I can respect that. Can’t you?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Why don’t you go talk to him?” Dad suggests, his smile growing, “I’m sure there’s a bit of misunderstanding.”
“Dad, about Mom?”
He closes his eyes for a beat, when he opens them, the amount of remorse that greets me startles me. “Love doesn’t always result in hate,” he says quietly. “I’m sorry I hurt her and you.”
“She’s in rehab. I went to visit. She’s doing well.” An exhale tumbles out of his mouth, which I choose to accept as relief. “I think you need to have a conversation with her. I know it’s been years, but her happiness hinged on you for so long. She deserves closure.”
A short silence settles over the room, then he says, “Alright. I will go see her.”
My muscles sag with relief. I don’t expect my parents to ever have a civil relationship, but part of healing involves closure. I hope a conversation between them will bring my mother the peace she needs to move forward.
It feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, and I do something I thought I was long past doing—I hug my father, and he hugs me back. And for the first time since the open position was announced, I can’t help but think maybe things are going to be okay.
Thirty minutes later, it feels practically predetermined when I step out of the elevator on my way out for the day and almost run smack into Jagger. He looks rumpled, his golden hair windswept, and he’s moving fast, a look of urgency and determination on his face. His eyes go wide when he sees me, coming to an abrupt stop in his tracks.
“Charlotte.” He swallows, his blue eyes wide and concerned. “Hey.”
“Hey.” I rub my arm, feeling suddenly at a loss. I spent all day checking my phone, wondering how I should approach him and apologize. Now that we’re face to face, I’m at a loss for words.
“Did you leave something behind?”
He puts his hands in his coat pockets. “I came to see you.”
“Oh.” Hope kicks hard in my heart. “We need to talk.”
“I agree, that’s why I’m here.”
I purse my lips, fumbling for a moment before I reply. “I owe you an apology.” It’s hard meeting his azure eyes right now, but he needs to know that I’m sincere and that I would do anything to be in his arms again. “I talked to my dad,” I tell him. “He said you left because you wanted to start your own illustration business. I didn’t know.” Part of me wants to reach out and touch him, but I remain frozen in place. “I jumped to conclusions, and I shouldn’t have. Fuck, I didn’t even let you get a word in edgewise.” I shake my head. “That’s my problem, you know? I always make these assumptions. I think maybe it’s because I’m so used to people making assumptions about me.” I sigh, a lump suddenly forming in my throat.
Jagger runs a hand through his hair. “I was one of those people, you know,” he says. “For the longest time, I thought you were just some shallow socialite. I thought you were only here because your dad runs the company, and if I hadn’t gotten to know you, I would probably still think that.” He takes a step toward me, making my heart thunder in my chest. “But I was wrong about you, Charlotte. And I was wrong about myself, too. I thought this was what I wanted, but it never was. It took you to show me that, because I…” His voice cuts off, and there’s a fear on his face that I’m not used to. But also a hint of resolve. “I love you,” he says at last.
I stand rooted, blown back by the force of his words. It’s quiet in the lobby, save for the security guard, who is watching us curiously, but the setting doesn’t matter. My heart is melting, and if I have to wait one more second without touching Jagger, I’m pretty sure I’m going to explode. So I don’t.
Closing the distance between us with two strides, I fling my arms around him, burying my face in his chest as he gingerly reciprocates the embrace. God I could hold onto him forever, and fuck everyone who looks at us strangely. Fuck the possibility of having my heart shred into pieces, fuck the pain that comes with love, fuck the rules I set for myself. Fuck it all. Because I’m with him.
He turns my chin up and kisses me fiercely, passionately, his hands on either side of my face as I cling to him, warmth flowing through me from my head to my toes.
“I love you too,” I reply when we finally pull apart, my voice barely above a whisper.
He grins then, letting out a chuckle that sounds like music to my ears. “Who would’ve thought?” he asks. “Jagger Crane and Charlotte Sloan. I guess stranger things have happened.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” I reply. “But maybe it doesn’t matter.”
“Well…” He puts his hands on my hips. “Would it be strange to ask you on a date, then? A real, honest-to-god date?”
I bite my lip. “Only if it’s pastrami again.”
Jagger brushes some hair out of my face, his expression bright with admiration, relief…and hope. “I think that can be arranged.”
THE END
If you’re curious about Katharine and Lucas, you won’t want to miss their story in RULES OF ENGAGEMENT.
SEX LUST LOVE HATE Playlist
FIND PLAYLIST HERE
Sex on Fire – Kings of Leon
Lust for Life – Lana Del Rey, The Weeknd
Falling – Harry Styles
Adore You – Harry Styles
Naked – James Arthur
Hate U Love U – Olivia O’Brien
Closer – Kings of Leon
Acknowledgments
Big hugs to my beta readers for your patience and your sage words. Thank you to Okay Creations for the gorgeous cover! My editor and proofreader for your brilliance. Huge gratitude to all the bloggers who continue to participate in my journey. Love to all of my readers. Without you, this ride wouldn’t be as much fun. A special shout out to my husband, you’re sexier than any book boyfriend. Thank you for all of your support and our Happy Chaos.
About the Author
Mika Jolie lives in New Jersey with her Happy Chaos—her husband and their energizer bunnies. She’s a lover of words, wonder, an old-fashioned, and the whimsical delights of everyday living. When she’s not writing swoon-worthy, sexy relatable romance, you can find her on a hiking adventure, beachin’ it at the Jersey shore, apple, blueberry picking, or whatever her three men can conjure up.
She loves to hear from readers. Connect with Mika on BookBub, her reader group Mika Jolie’s Wildflowers, Facebook, Amazon, Instagram and Goodreads.
BookBub | Mika Jolie’s Wildflowers | Facebook | Amazon | Instagram | Goodreads
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What Happened in Vegas
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Layla’s Chance
One Complicated Christmas
Home for Christmas
Hometown Sweetheart
Irresistibly Irish
COMING IN 2021
Alpha Boy – A Boys of Summer Romance- Coming June 15th
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713 Main Street – A Cherry Falls Romance – Coming July 13th
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