LITMIR.BIZ

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find another way to get to Chase. And when she did, she’d be ready.

      Jessie grabbed a pen from her little side table, and the pile of magazines on it shifted. She picked up the ones that had fallen to the floor.

      The financial magazine bore the image of the incredibly handsome Gideon Johns.

      After all these years, sadness still swept over her whenever she thought of Gideon. And she hadn’t been able to stop thinking of him since her recent return to Seattle for Matt Richmond’s event. She’d been equal parts hopeful and terrified that she’d encounter Gideon for the first time in well over a decade.

      Gideon had been the reason she’d written her very first song. A song of heartbreak and unrequited love. It had been one of the songs on the demo that earned Jessie her first songwriting gig with a small record company. So rather than resenting Gideon’s rejection, she should thank him for breaking her heart.

      Nothing had really happened between them back then. And nothing would happen between them in the future. So why couldn’t she let thoughts of Gideon go?

      Jessie tossed the magazines back onto the pile and returned to the piano, pen in hand.

      She hated that she was still so affected by a man to whom she clearly hadn’t meant anything. But berating herself over it wasn’t productive. Instead, she would allow those frustrations to fuel her creativity so she could write the next song.

      Jessie scribbled a few notes that had been playing in her head all day on the blank staff paper. Then she played the corresponding notes on her piano and started to sing.

      * * *

      Gideon Johns sat on the front edge of his large cherrywood desk. He folded his arms as he sized up his assistant, Landon Farmer. He had something to say, and whatever it was, he was fully aware that Gideon wasn’t going to like it.

      “Look, Landon, whatever it is you’re dancing around here...just say it. We’re both busy people.”

      “Our top two investors just pulled out of the United Arab Emirates deal.” The words rushed out of his mouth.

      “What?” Gideon’s voice boomed, filling the room. He hadn’t intended to shout, and since the man looked like he wanted to flee the room, he felt bad for doing so. Still, it was a natural reaction to discovering that he’d lost half of the capital he was counting on for a two-billion-dollar building project.

      “What the hell happened? The last time I spoke with them, they were champing at the bit to get in on this deal. In fact, I didn’t solicit either of them. They came to me.”

      “Both cited the recent volatility in their own industries, Mr. Johns.” The man reverted to addressing him formally whenever Gideon was displeased.

      “Do they have any idea how much I have riding on this deal? This is our first project in Dubai. If word gets out that the deal is collapsing—”

      “Then we don’t let it collapse.” Landon sat a bit straighter.

      “And where do you propose we get nearly a billion dollars in the next two months?” Gideon raised an eyebrow.

      “The company has considerable assets, sir. You already know that—”

      “No.” It was a single, nonnegotiable sentence.

      “But, sir—”

      “Investing in the project isn’t an option.” Gideon returned to his seat. His chest felt tight and his head was beginning to throb.

      “But you just said what a disaster it would be if the project fails—”

      “It won’t fail. I’ll find the money.” Gideon looked at him pointedly.

      “I have no doubt that you will, Mr. Johns.” Landon straightened his tie. “But what if you can’t secure the funds? Wouldn’t it be better for our company to invest in the project than to have to admit we couldn’t raise the capital?”

      “Making real estate deals using other people’s money has been my policy for the past ten years. If investors discover that I needed to liquidate assets and sink that kind of cash into my own project, it’ll wreck the brand I’ve spent a decade building.”

      “We could do it discreetly,” Landon suggested.

      “I believe in being transparent with my investors.” Gideon frowned. “Besides, liquidating that kind of cash will inevitably attract attention.”

      “All valid points.” Landon stood and massaged the nape of his neck. “I’ll scour our database of potential investors and see who might be right for the Dubai project.”

      “Go for the big fish. And focus on those who have liquid assets readily available. We need to stick to our original timeline or the remaining investors will start to worry.” Gideon made a mental note of the effects this sudden change might have on the project.

      “There is one potential investor who comes to mind right away.”

      “I know.” Gideon tapped the table. “Matt Richmond.”

      Matt was a friend who’d mused about investing in one of Gideon’s projects, but had yet to pull the trigger.

      Gideon made it a point not to pressure investors to join his projects. He simply laid out the opportunity and return on investment to be had, and allowed his track record and reputation to do the rest. The timing wasn’t great, but he’d need to prod Matt and see if he was serious about investing.

      This project had the potential to make all of them a shitload of money. He’d never take the project on if he didn’t wholeheartedly believe that. Nor would he ever try to rope his friend, or any investor, into a shaky deal. But he needed to be a bit more direct with his friend.

      “I’ve got Matt. I’ll try to meet with him within the next week.” Gideon woke his computer screen to send an email to his friend. Another email captured his interest.

      It was the Google alert he’d set up on singer/songwriter Jessie Humphrey. She was beautiful, brilliant, talented—and the little sister of his ex, Geneva Humphrey. The woman he’d planned to marry a lifetime ago. Right up until the moment she’d broken his heart.

      He’d gotten over the break with Geneva. Had even come to realize she’d been right to end things between them. But his relationship with Jessie was more complicated.

      Two years after his breakup with Geneva, Jessie had shown up at his door wanting more than just friendship.

      She was his ex’s sister, so he’d promptly sent her packing. But he hadn’t ever been able to forget that day. Or get thoughts of Jessie out of his head.

      The first time he heard Jessie Humphrey’s voice flowing from the speakers of his Aston Martin Vanquish Volante he’d been over the moon with happiness for her.

      She’d walked around wearing headphones and singing her heart out for as long as he’d known her. And despite her parents’ insistence that she pursue a “real” career, Jessie had always wanted to share her gift with the world.

      Now she was and he couldn’t be more proud of her.

      Gideon had carefully followed her career ever since.

      “Is that all, boss?” Landon furrowed his brow.

      “Yes, thank you.” Gideon waited for the man to leave, closing the door behind him.

      Gideon clicked the link in the email. It took him to a video of Jessie performing at a small club, seated at a piano.

      She was stunning. Who knew that she’d turn into such a beautiful, confident young woman and a rising artist?

      Jessie had such a powerful voice and a unique sound, even back when he’d known her. Geneva had teased Jessie about her incessant singing and starry-eyed dreams, but Gideon had loved to hear her sing. He’d told her that one day she’d be famous. And he’d been right.

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