“Well, it was also more than that. I was also letting him know that you completely and utterly killed it today. He’s telling the CFO now.”

She smiled. “Thanks.”

He touched her hand. “No, Ryann—you’re not hearing me. I’ve never seen anything like that. You’ll have the board kissing your ass now. Twelve men couldn’t do what you did in five hours, and they had days.”

She laughed. “Of course they couldn’t. Who the hell wants to listen to them? Even I don’t, and we work together.”

He laughed and motioned to the bartender for another round. He frowned at her still-full glass but didn’t comment.

“And you look like dynamite, by the way,” he added.

“So you’ve said.”

“No. I mean it. I’ve never seen you look better. The hair, the clothes, the makeup, everything. You’re like a fashion plate.”

She raised her eyebrows and turned back to her glass, taking a small sip and pushing it away. It was starting to turn her stomach.

“So what’s wrong?”

She glanced at him and away. “What do you mean?”

“You just made the most important deal of your career. The entire New York office was beginning to doubt you. I mean, I never did, but almost everyone else was starting to wonder if you could pull it off. Especially when you flew halfway across the country in the middle of it for a wedding, of all things. Then you’re here, you have one meeting, and it’s all fixed.”

She lifted her eyebrows.

He touched the back of her hand, this time leaving his there, and waited until she made eye contact.

“So why aren’t you excited? I mean, Christ, Ryann—it’s the biggest deal you’ve ever pulled off, and you made it seem effortless. You’re sitting here like your dog died.”

She laughed, a little thrill of triumph racing through her. He was right, after all. She’d made her company, potentially anyway, tens of millions of dollars—and possibly much more long term. And she had shown her board who was boss. And she did look the best she ever had while doing it, too.

“I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m just a little hungover and tired. And there have been some…complications in Colorado.”

“Oh?” He raised his eyebrows and once again motioned for the bartender. Ted waited when the man stopped in front of them, staring at her, and she sighed.

“Fine. Gin and tonic, please. A double.”

“That’s my girl,” Ted said. “Okay. Tell me about these complications.”

“There’s a woman there. Maddie.”

He was staring at her, clearly surprised, and he stayed quiet while they waited for her drink. Once she’d taken her first sip, and the bartender had left them alone again, he leaned forward.

“Spill it.”