I straighten and clap him on the shoulder as I transfer to depart him to supervise the operations alone. “I’m positive, little brother. And sometime, when the correct individual seems in your life, you’ll perceive.”

Mallory

The massive, bitterly chilly convention room on the bottom ground of the Bennett Media Group high-rise is buzzing. The vitality within the air is palpable as I look round. Nevertheless it doesn’t come near matching the adrenaline racing via my physique.

I might barely sleep final night time, tossing and turning, and after I lastly dozed off, my goals had been crammed with candy speaking combined with a panty-melting playful smile and a dose of glowing, crystal-blue eyes for good measure.

Every part in regards to the scene right here is acquainted, but in addition fully international. I’m not used to being on this facet of the microphone, not used to sitting in one of many dozens of rows of chairs arrange for the viewers. No, I’m normally the one prepping to share massive information or teeing up Luke to talk on behalf of AV Industries.

“Mallory, is that you simply?”

I spin to seek out Barbara Simon, the editor-in-chief of the opposite dominant newspaper on the town, peering at me via her signature cherry red-framed glasses.

“No matter are you doing right here?” she provides, apparently not requiring verbal affirmation it’s me.

“I’m right here for the press convention,” I reply, sticking to the reality.

Nonetheless frowning, she appears to recollect herself. “Sure, nicely, it’s at all times good to remain abreast of what the press is as much as, hmm?”

“It’s.”

“And,” she provides, leaning ahead, “from what I hear, there’s fairly a shuffle coming round right here.”

A shuffle?

My throat constricts. That is it. The day Carson’s grandfather has lastly determined it’s time to step down and identify his grandson, the person who’s been raised to steer Bennett Media Group, as CEO. The affirmation is sobering but in addition the closure I want to maneuver on and eventually put Carson Bennett out of my thoughts for good.

Now, I’m glad I got here. This morning, after I was mendacity in mattress with a pillow over my face, I’d thought of not getting up. Thought of not coming to see this in individual. It wasn’t my curiosity that lastly compelled me up and into the bathe. No, it was the jar of maraschino cherries wrapped within the small mint-green field sitting on my nightstand, and now tucked safely in my purse, that did the trick.

My watch vibrates because the clock strikes twelve. Silence ripples throughout the gang as Carson’s grandfather, a dignified man in a tailor-made navy three-piece swimsuit with a coordinated handkerchief, emerges via a facet door, adopted by his grandsons. Mr. Bennett, Sr., as I’ve at all times heard him referred to, slowly makes his technique to the rostrum, whereas Carson and Henry sit down on the desk on the entrance of the room.

Barbara nods in my route earlier than heading up entrance, however I barely acknowledge her smile. As a result of Carson’s gaze locks onto me and steals my breath. It’s the primary time I’ve seen him in individual in 4 months, however he appears to be like precisely the identical, if not higher. And rattling, he’s nonetheless as magnetic a pressure as ever.

Cameras click on behind me at an alarming fee and snap me again to the current. I slip into the closest empty seat within the again row, ducking out of the way in which of the photographers with tripods lining the rear wall.

“Thanks all for coming,” Mr. Bennett, Sr., says, surveying the gang. “As lots of you may need anticipated, now that I’ve reached the milestone of sixty years since beginning Bennett Media Group, behind a bicycle-repair store on the south facet, and turning it into the huge portfolio of corporations it consists of as we speak, it’s come time for me to step apart.”

A murmur runs via the room as reporters nod and alternate smug, self-satisfied appears to be like. However I stare straight at Mr. Bennett, Sr., unmoving, each muscle in my physique tense.

“What you may not have anticipated,” he continues, pausing thoughtfully, “is that I’m proud to call my grandson, Henry Bennett, as the brand new CEO, efficient instantly.”

And with that, the air is sucked from the room. And my lungs. Knotted brows and questioning glances exchange the assured smiles. My eyes fly to Carson’s. He’s watching me, and a gradual, lazy smile spreads over his face. One I don’t perceive.

What is occurring proper now? Carson was set to take over. He was purported to be the subsequent CEO.

Heads throughout the room swivel to observe Carson’s gaze. Tons of of eyeballs stare immediately at me. I sink decrease in my seat as Mr. Bennett, Sr. continues, both oblivious to, or selecting to ignore, the response.

“I’d wish to welcome him to the microphone now to share a number of phrases on the way forward for Bennett Media Group.”

Henry, who might double as Carson’s twin, if it wasn’t for his pinched, studious expression, rises and shakes palms along with his grandfather, who steps to the facet and waves him ahead. However I can’t consider the earnest remarks of gratitude for his grandfather’s management, appreciation for the hundreds of Bennett Media Group staff, and confirmed dedication to its lots of of hundreds of shoppers.

My mind spins as if it’s caught in a class 5 twister. And the query operating via my thoughts is clearly shared by many, however for not-so-personal causes, as a result of as Henry turns the microphone again over to his grandfather, a reporter within the entrance row calls out, “What about Carson Bennett?” as if he’s not sitting proper there on the desk, his eyes nonetheless dancing.

“Good query,” Mr. Bennett, Sr. acknowledges with a chuckle. “I used to be simply attending to that. I’d additionally wish to take this chance to announce that, efficient instantly as nicely, Carson is stepping down from his function as Vice President of Bennett Media Group.”

My jaw drops. Each actually and figuratively. I desire a man who isn’t press however is Carson really relinquishing a place as CEO of his household’s firm due to me? Absolutely not. It’s…unfathomable.

However Mr. Bennett, Sr. continues, elevating his voice over the excitement of the gang. “He’s determined to observe one other path. One which, to be sincere, I couldn’t be extra happy with. Beginning as we speak, Carson would be the Government Director of the Bennett Media Group Basis, the non-profit group lots of you may not understand he was integral to serving to discovered.”

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