The Merger

Chapter 40

Talia Nassar

Lucas loves me.

That thought continues to permeate my mind like ink in water.

After trying to boost morale among my existing employees, I threw myself into the strategy deck I'm preparing for the board. At first, I was able to distract myself from the shock of letting Imani go and the life-altering conversation with Lucas. The strategy I'll be using to win the position is nearly done and just needs some fine-tuning. Even Cora is impressed with it and didn't have many notes on things to update.

Yet I'm at a point now where I can't deny or escape Lucas' words any longer. A warm buzz settles over me every time I replay everything he said to me in my office. His declaration of love has dissolved into me like it's a powerful nutrient running through my veins. And every time I picture my life without Lucas, a searing pain courses through my chest as if the nutrient needs replenishment straightaway.

It got so bad that I made an unplanned trip during the week to Lucas' building to "talk with their Accounts Executive and get Ethan up to speed on some things" AKA potentially run into Lucas. I needed to numb the ache in my heart and assess if he's as dazed as I am. Yet, he wasn't in the office when I got there so I never got the chance to see. And I couldn't settle on a decision yet so I couldn't really reach out to him intentionally.

Now, I'll be face-to-face with him again at his parent's house. Despite still not knowing how to move forward with him, a swirl of excitement and nervousness fill me leading up to the Labor Day party. I'm going to see him again and the world will fall back into its regular orbit, even with the millions of unknowns.

I pull up to the sprawling property with fields of green and a long-winding driveway that leads to the mansion. The afternoon sun shines brightly over the beautiful landscape.

Something tugs at my mind. It feels like I've been to this house before. It doesn't hit me until I hand my keys to the valet attendant. The Christmas party all those years ago. The first night I met Lucas.

An attendant directs me toward a path on the side of the house. Cradling a bottle of wine, my gift for Lucas' mom, I follow a couple of people walking down the brick path to a poolside area that carries hundreds of people mingling with each other. My pulse picks up speed as I search the animated faces for Lucas.

"Oh, my God! Talia, you're here!" A woman's voice pulls my attention away from the crowd. I turn to find an older woman I don't recognize smiling widely at me. The woman looks to be in her sixties with her slightly wrinkled skin and streaks of gray in her hair. Before I can respond, the woman wraps her arms around me. "I'm so glad you made it!" She's hugging me like we're long-lost friends who haven't seen each other in years. Do I know her? She retreats and squeezes my arm. "You angel! Is that for me?"

Ahh. Lucas' mom!

"Oh, uh. Yes, Mrs. Handler. Thank you for having me and it's nice to meet you." I pass over the bottle of wine, smiling politely.

"Please call me Debra!" The woman's striking blue eyes remind me of Lucas'.

I try to hide the slight shake in my hands by locking them behind my back. A man walks by, and I steal a glance, hoping it's Lucas. It isn't. "Thank you, Debra. Do you know where-"

"I have been watching the entrance all afternoon waiting for you! Oh my goodness, you're wearing white. White's a beautiful color on you! I bet you'd look amazing in a long white dress."

I glance down at my white dress that hits just above my knees. "Thanks."

"Come! Let me introduce you to some friends." Debra leads me through the crowds and starts introducing me to random people. Names are said but I won't be able to remember any as my mind is on one man. My body buzzes in anticipation. I have to be running into him sooner or later.