My phone pinged, and I glanced down, wondering if Tom had maybe had second thoughts, but it was an unknown number.

Unknown: Fiona has a contract for you. I’d like her to go over it with you in person. What time would suit? — Ronan

“Who is it?” Sage asked.

“My new boss.” Quickly, I typed a response.

Willow: Turns out I’ll be able to start tomorrow after all. Shall I come in at nine?

The reply arrived within seconds.

Ronan: Yes. I’m glad you changed your mind.

I didn’t feel the need to correct him. My hand trembled as I tucked the phone away, and Sage leaned in for a hug.

“It’s going to be okay,” she said.

But I wasn’t sure I believed her.

Chapter Six

Ronan

“Sir?” Fiona’s voice interrupted the conversation I was having with Kade and Zeke in my office, and I glanced at where she stood framed in the doorway. “She’s here.”

I nodded. “Thanks for letting me know.” I’d asked her to tell me when Willow arrived, but I was surprised I hadn’t felt a shift in the air to indicate that a Lennox was in my space. “Once you’ve gone over the contract, and emphasized the confidentiality clause, send her through to human resources.”

“Will do.” She smiled at me and Kade, ignored Zeke, and stepped outside.

“That woman doesn’t like me,” Zeke remarked. “Any tips on how to soften her up?”

I hid a grin. It hadn’t taken Fiona long to pin Zeke down as the business partner most likely to cause problems. His slick way of talking did him no favors with her.

“You’re fighting a losing battle,” Kade told him. “Just give up. She’s not interested in you.” He turned to me. “While we’re on the subject of bad ideas, I still think that inviting Willow to work here is underhanded and bound to screw things up.”

“Noted. I promise to be on my best behavior.”

Zeke formed a steeple with his hands, watching me with an expression some people would have mistaken for boredom. Not me though. His brain was constantly going a hundred miles an hour. “She’s even prettier in person.”

Neither Kade nor I asked when he’d seen her. If it were anywhere other than the office, we’d rather not know.

“And what?”

Zeke leaned forward. “Seducing her would be the ultimate revenge. Could you imagine Tom’s reaction if you dated the precious Lennox heiress? Not that there’s much of an inheritance to speak of.”

I sighed. “What did I just say? I’m not messing with her.”

He held up his hands. “Hey, if you genuinely liked her then you wouldn’t be messing with her, would you?” He winked. “Maybe she’s the one for you? Have you thought about that?”

I snorted. I was certain of many things, and one of them was that Willow and I weren’t about to embark on an epic Romeo and Juliet love story. That wasn’t my style. I was hands-off. Calculating. Efficient. I didn’t get personally involved. Women like Willow didn’t want men like me.