Page 64 of From Asher, With Love

TWENTY

ASHER

I don’t breathe a sigh of relief until the last stroke of Allen’s pen meets the contract sitting between us. It’s been a long road of convincing him to stick with me as his realtor, but we’ve finally sealed the deal. After clearing up the swirl of rumors floating around the city about me, Allen agreed to stay on as my client. In the end, he told me his decision was based on his previous experience working with me, and while the offer Cyrus presented to him was enticing, it wasn’t enough for him to ditch me.

Allen stands from the end of the conference table and shakes my hand, promising to get in touch when he’s in the market for another apartment building. I wait until he and a few of other employees gather up the scattered paperwork before heading back to my office. I can’t wait to get to Charleigh’s shop to help her get the rest of the flowers over to the hotel. It’s been nearly six hours since we last spoke and it’s driving me crazy.

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her, working when all I can think about is the spark in her eyes when she looks at me. We haven’t talked about what yesterday means for us, but for the first time in years, I feel hope.

I didn’t realize how empty I’d become until Charleigh came back into my life. She filled me with her sarcasm and defiance. She pushed me to open myself back up to the possibility of feeling again. And now I’ve had a taste, I can’t stop. I don’t want to stop.

Once I’m in my office, I’m double checking my inbox when Janette’s voice comes through on my intercom.

“Mr. Egan? Cyrus Temper is here to see you.”

I stare at my phone, wide-eyed. Why the fuck would Cyrus Temper want to speak to me?

“I’m about to leave, Janette. Have him schedule a meeting with me for another time.”

“I tried, sir. He says it won’t take long and it’s important.”

Reluctantly, I groan and check the time on my phone before answering Janette. “Send him in.”

Before Cyrus steps into my office, I stand from my chair and close out my computer. I don’t plan on staying long. This isn’t the first time I’ve had a meeting with Cyrus face to face. I met him last year at a fundraising gala in Los Angeles. He wasn’t there for long, claiming he had a slew of clients to return to in New York. Everyone rolled their eyes at his comment, especially me. The sleaziest real estate brokers are usually the ones who stroke their own egos. Cyrus Temper is no exception.

Janette knocks on the door before opening it, allowing Cyrus to follow her into my office. She closes the door, giving us privacy.

Cyrus is one of those men who makes his presence known when he’s walking into a room. What he lacks in integrity and personality, he makes up for in appearance. His suit is perfectly tailored like mine, but he’s always worn an ostentatious color underneath it—baby pink or pale yellow, sometimes with a dark blue tie wrapped around his neck. His brown loafers are veryoutdated but probably cost more than the bright gold watch resting on his wrist.

He holds his hand out to me. “Asher. Good to see you again.” He flashes me a grin, his stark white teeth nearly blinding me.

“You, too, Cyrus.” I nod, putting on a saccharine smile. “I don’t have long. I was on my way out the door, actually.”

“Oh, your gorgeous secretary out there made me aware.” There’s a sinister spark in his eye that leaves me unsettled. “I wanted to congratulate you.”

“On?” I pinch my eyebrows, tilting my head in confusion.

He laughs as if I should know exactly what he’s talking about. His belly bounces, and I cringe on the inside. “Your firm landed inFortune’s top 100 fastest-growing companies, correct? Number two, if I’m not mistaken.”

“Oh.” I nod once, sitting on the edge of my desk. I cross my feet at the ankles, tucking my hands into my pockets. “Yes, it did. Thank you.”

“How old are you again?” He moves around my office, pretending to study the pictures I have on the walls.

“I’ll be turning thirty at the end of the year.”

Cyrus clicks his tongue as he paces my office. “Wow.Fortune100 before you hit thirty. Quite an accomplishment.”

I shrug, not sure what he’s getting at with this conversation or even why he’s here. “Well, becoming a real estate broker has always been a dream of mine. I worked hard to build this business and basically haven’t stopped chasing this dream since I was a kid.”

“Not without a bit of help from your father, no doubt.” He stops, holding his hand out. The pleasantry in his voice is now gone replaced with bitterness with a hint of disdain.

I remain silent, unsure of where this conversation is headed.

“He helped some,” I finally offer. “My love forreal estate began long before I lived with him, but he certainly taught me a few things. He worked out of a firm down on Wall Street before deciding to move out to California. I didn’t realize you two had met.”

“Years ago, when he was a big name here in the city. It’s been a while since we’ve talked or seen one another.” He grins, the corners of his thin lips curling. “Give him my regards.”

I clear my throat. “I will.”

---