Page 22 of Rival to the Billionaire

He stares at me for a long time. "You're exactly like me, Forde. Stubborn to a freaking fault."

"At least we agree on something."

"I know you have to have everything just-so. I know you think you're the only one who can make decisions. I know you don't want to participate in anything but the safest and easiest path. And I know it infuriates me like nothing else," he scoffs softly, "but I’m starting to think that I didn't tell you all the details…because maybe, subconsciously, I didn't want you to back out."

The confession catches me off guard. "Wait, I—what?”

"Oh, come off it, Forde. You know you're good as hell at your job. You also know I'm good as hell at mine. We're two of the best in our fields, the top of our fields. This conference is the best of the best leading the crazy workings of cutting-edge technology, and if you and I are not making moves here, then we're left in the dust. Which means there should be nothing stopping us from being able to work together like two normal colleagues should do." He pauses, lowering his gaze for a second. “Hell, we both know you won that last promotion for a reason."

My throat feels like it's closing up, my heart speeding up.

I study him, my full lips pressed together. "Wow… I feel like we just landed on another planet," I declare, skeptical. "So, you do believe I'm more than a ‘glorified secretary’, then?"

"I believe you are the best CIO this company could get." He sighs. "If only you would learn that the world isn't against you…that there are people in your life who care about you and look up to you, but when you are in your fixation, you do not make this easy for them. You keep the entire universe in a box you created, and you think you have to do it on your own."

I blink. "Where is all of this coming from, anyway? You're a wall of sarcasm most of the time."

"Yeah, well. You're not the only one who has had to change throughout the years," he informs me. "Nowadays, I like to keep things honest. With everyone," he adds. "I like for everyone to know exactly where they stand."

"And where do I stand? In your eyes?"

"Forde. You are a very hard person to read. But I know that tough exterior you put up is a front. I'd never suggest that you're fragile, but I do think you have this need to protect yourself. And it's possible you're in this career to escape something." He shrugs. "Maybe even from yourself. To prove yourself. You have the looks and the brains to do anything you want, Forde. You have the impeccable success record to prove it. But you're not using it to your advantage. You're using it to keep yourself at an arm's length from an entire world of people who want to embrace you."

His words are slowly coming together like puzzle. "What I mean is that you can lie to anyone, but you sure as hell can't lie to me," he murmurs, his voice lower, softer. "I see you…even when you don't want to be seen. I hear you, even when you don't want to be heard. I know exactly who you are, Forde." He hesitates, lifting his jaw. "And I think it's about time you let me in."

Heat rises into my cheeks. The air in the hotel suite is cool, but it's nowhere near cold enough to quell the flush from my neck all the way down to my toes.

I find myself softening, giving in, this rare moment of honesty, of vulnerability from Ryder…scaring me much more than it should.

It just reminds me of our history together. Our past. The ups and downs.

Despite my current exhaustion with him, there is a palpable thread that connects me to him. One that spans over decades.

I was practically raised beside the Andersons, born minutes from Ryder's house in Cascade Springs, the part of Seattle where we grew up.

I know their deepest secrets, darkest moments. I know how hard they've worked to get where they are now. The struggle and sacrifice.

Watching my parents work hard to keep food on the table has always been a lesson to me. It's what has motivated me to work at H&H and work my ass off.

No one knows that better than the Andersons. Better than Derek. Better than Ryder.

My voice is soft when I finally answer him. "Ryder, look…I appreciate your honesty, but?—"

"Listen," he cuts me off. "I'm not trying to butter you up here. I'm just being real. Do with that what you will."

He offers me a tired smile that is shockingly sincere.

"I'm going to head downstairs. Get a drink and decompress. You can have the shower first. Let me know when you're done so I can get comfortable." He starts to walk towards the door before turning. "By the way, the unicorn pajamas I bought you are on the bed. Try not to judge them too harshly the way you do everything else."

He looks like he wants to say something else to me but seems to think better of it.

And before I can answer, he's gone. And I'm left alone.

Alone in our luxury suite.

Feeling like a stranger in a foreign land.

I glance around the suite, wondering what the hell I'm doing here. Wondering what the hell Ryder must think of me right now…

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