Million Dollar Devil (Million Dollar #1)(73)

CHANCE MEETINGS

Lizzy

I hurry into the Banks headquarters, trying to keep my head down and stay focused on the millions of things I need to do. I fly up to New York tonight, and I still haven’t put together the proposal that my dad requested of my suggestions for what James should wear at the big launch. I also have a list of about twenty things I need to do to get myself ready to be there.

I still haven’t talked to James. When I stopped by his house, I thought for sure he’d at least text after Charlie gave him the message. Now I’m pretty sure he’s just avoiding me.

As I’m walking in through the revolving door, I get a call from my dad. “Hi. I’m on my way up,” I tell him, breathless.

“I’m not up there, Lizzy.”

“Oh.” I check my watch. It’s after ten. “Are you in New York already?”

“I’m at Piedmont.”

My heart clenches. “The hospital? What—”

“It’s not a big deal. I went in for a normal checkup, and they found my blood pressure was elevated. They’re trying to get it all back under control. I admit I’ve missed a few doses.”

“Dad, do you want me to come and—”

“No. Listen. I don’t want anyone to know I’m here.”

“Not even LB?”

“He knows already.” Of course. “You know how LB is. He’s on top of everything and wants to be sure his boss is tip-top. Under that hard-ass shell, that boy cares for me.”

“Nobody can ever possibly care for you the way I do, Dad,” I whisper. “Especially not LB.” I groan.

I want to tell him that LB has been betting on my failure. That he is my dad’s right-hand man but an expert left-hand man, too, intent on keeping me from claiming a spot as CEO. But I can’t. I can’t say all that to my dad, who is no fool and obviously values the guy. I don’t want to risk him thinking I’m being overdramatic.

He sighs. “I don’t want to give anyone the impression that I’m not well. Got it? So no visits, no flowers, nothing. I’ll be out as soon as I can.”

“Dad! You should rest. Don’t rush yourself,” I scold. “And I have to come visit you.”

“No. Lizzy. You don’t. What I want you to do is man the New York launch. Give my presentation. Can you? The notes are on my desk.”

My heart starts to flutter. He asked me to. Not LB. “Yes! Of course!” I blurt.

“Good. I’m depending on you.”

“I won’t let you down. And Dad?”

“I know, I know. Take it easy. Goodbye, Lizzy, and good luck.”

I end the call, worrying about my father but excited about this opportunity. Putting me visible like this means he trusts me. It means that I’m finally getting my due. There will be over two thousand of the biggest and most influential names in couture in that room. Allowing me to speak as the ambassador to Banks LTD and introduce James as the new face of our line is a huge honor. LA was the starting gate, but this . . . this is the checkered flag. The official launch party people will be talking about for weeks, or if all goes well, that’s so big it’ll be recalled for years after.

I’m smiling as I walk past the café in the lobby, toward the elevators. As I do, I see Jeanine, sitting at a table, talking with a man in a suit.

I briefly wonder if she came to look for me but then can’t remember that we had anything set up for a lunch date, or a business meeting either.

She’s facing me, and the man is facing away, so I wave at her, but her eyes are so intent on the man she doesn’t notice. I come up closer, still waving, and she suddenly blinks toward me. “Lizzy,” she says, instantly smiling. “Hi.”

“Hi. Sorry. I don’t mean to interrupt your meeting, but you’ll never guess what my dad—”

I stop when the man turns around.

It’s James.

The floor suddenly wavers under me.

“Oh. Hi,” I say, my knees weakening. I take a step back. “I’m sorry.”

Why are my horny best friend . . . and my horny ex-fuck . . . together?

I can think of a million reasons . . . all of them bad.

“On second thought,” I say to Jeanine, “forget it. I’ll tell you later. Maybe.”

I turn on my heel and start to rush toward the elevators, my face burning and my head spinning as I try to process why the two of them are together. No, it’s not like I saw them with their tongues down each other’s throats, but still. I know Jeanine. And I know James. And I can’t help thinking that if you put two beautiful people like them together, it can’t end well. For me, at least.

Wow, now I’m totally sounding crazy, aren’t I?

Blame it on James Rowan that I can’t even be reasonable Elizabeth anymore. Only crazy Lizzy, only Lizzy who doesn’t feel so carefree and young anymore.

I’ve made it halfway around the fountain in the lobby when I hear footsteps quickening behind me. “Hey.”

James.

I turn around. He’s beautiful, breathtaking, and I know if I look at him I’ll be lost. So I look everywhere else. The floor. The ceiling. The wall over his shoulder. “I’m fine. I’m not asking for an apology. I mean . . . whatever it is you two are discussing, it’s okay.”