“I love the company,” I said, my voice thick. “I know you don’t understand my relationship with Angelica, my dedication to her business, but I don’t think I could love it more if my own parents had birthed it and built it up.”

“I don’t question that at all.”

Working for her had changed my life. She’d never treated me like a poor girl, had only seen my potential, my smarts, my determination. Not only that, she’d sparked in me a true passion for the hospitality industry.

“She’s all about giving people top-notch service and unforgettable experiences—a stunning water view from a private balcony, a supremely satisfying four-star dinner, a peaceful day of pampering in a lush spa,” I told him. “I fell in love with it too. I thrive on creating resorts that specialize in these.”

I’d learned long ago that life could be relentless, and it was the little moments of good that made it fulfilling. Holden’s family had been responsible for my first travel experience ever, taking me on a weekend trip to Dollywood. I’d never even been in a hotel room before, and the lodge we’d stayed in had seemed so luxurious. That trip had made an impression and stayed with me over the years. This kind of feeling—but on a grander scale—was what we endeavored to offer at Marks International.

When I glanced over at him, he’d tilted his head and was nodding thoughtfully. “I actually get that. For me, a brewery is sort of similar. Sitting and enjoying a damn good beer is a quality experience, just on a smaller scale. I want to do that for people.”

I hadn’t seen it before, but there really was a similarity in what we were each driven to do. “Maybe someday we’ll offer your hand-crafted beers at Marks properties all over the world,” I said enthusiastically. I dropped the smile instantly. “But not if Gloria Herrera is in charge.”

“All the more reason we do this,” Holden said.

“Gloria’s good at what she does,” I acknowledged, “but she’s a lawyer at heart, not a leader, and I honestly believe she’d never be up for the amount of travel the job requires.”

“It’s, like, seventy-five percent of the time, right?”

“Closer to eighty-five or ninety,” I said. “The only time Angelica is home is between projects. I don’t think Gloria, with her happy family, could handle it.”

“It’s why you’ve never wanted to get married,” Holden said, removing his hand from mine as the speed limit decreased and he slowed the car.

I absently ran my index finger over the stone in the ring. “Angelica’s job isn’t compatible with a husband or a family. Which is another reason for you and me to split up sooner rather than later.”