Page 40 of The Player + The Pact = I Do

“I think so. My realtors have done all the party aspects. My team just had to have everything ready on time.”

“You look handsome,” she says.

“Youlook stunning.” Her dress comes to mid-thigh, one-shouldered and red with ruffles everywhere. It’s not too sexy, but just sexy enough. Her lipstick matches her dress and somehow it makes her lips look bigger and more tempting.

“Thanks,” she says. “Bergdorf’s did okay, right?”

“I’m not sure Bergdorf’s can take the credit.”

She smiles again. I want to press the emergency stop button and see if her lips are as soft as they look. But I don’t. I just return her smile and wonder what she’s thinking.

We reach the twentieth floor and the lift doors open. “Oh,” she says. “It’s all done. I was expecting a construction site.”

“Just the lobby and this floor. Just to give people a taste of how everything will look.”

“You’re so smart,” she says, not a trace of sarcasm in her voice.

I start out of the lift toward the door of one of two planned penthouses.

“Leo,” she whisper-shouts.

I turn back, and her eyes widen like she’s expecting me to remember something I’ve forgotten.

“You should hold my hand,” she says.

I take in a breath and nod. She’s right. I should. Except…

I glance over at the waiters and waitresses pouring glasses of champagne and organizing trays of canapes. I turn back to Jules, who’s standing right in front of me. She reaches for my bow tie, giving it a little tug. “Very cute.”

“Cute? Don’t you mean commanding, powerful, with a little danger mixed in?”

She wrinkles her nose. “So,socute.”

I chuckle and shake my head. When she’s finished, I scoop up her hand and lead her through the penthouse entrance and into the main living area.

“So this is the penthouse to New River,” I announce. I hope she’s impressed. Construction and the realtors have worked their asses off to get this ready for tonight’s launch.

“Do I get a tour?” she says, squeezing my hand.

“Sure, let’s start with the kitchen and see if it meets your high standards.”

“Tell me about the kind of buyer you expect to want a place like this,” she says.

“Well, it’s a five-million-dollar apartment, so I’m hoping they have some money behind them, but they can be young and self-made. This kind of place doesn’t require your parents to be rich. It’s aimed at someone who would have bought downtown ten years ago but is just priced out. They’re making money downtown though. I see our target buyers as young professionals who want to stay in Manhattan, who don’t have kids, or maybe older people who’ve moved upstate, want apied-à-terrein town, but don’t want to pay Upper East Side prices.”

“Makes sense.” I watch her as she traces her fingers along the countertops of the kitchen, openingcabinets, peering into the oven. “It’s nice,” she says. “Modern with a twist.”

“Right. That was the look we were going for. And the finishes are good, right?”

“Better than you’d normally see in the area?” she asks.

“Right. The area is up and coming and this is one of the first new-construction residential blocks. People need an incentive to come here. They want a good price for good space and finishes.”

“I’m sold,” she says. “When do we move in? You can carry me over the threshold.”

Our eyes lock and I can’t help but picture that—her heels kicking in the air as I carry her inside. “We’ll have to find another place. I told you, I’m not living in my own development again.”

“Oh yes, that’s right. Does Bergdorf’s sell houses? Maybe I can pop out on my lunch break tomorrow and pick one up.”

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