Page 18 of Secrets, Scandals and Baby Shoes

“I accept as well,” he said after a long moment. “If this is what Dominic wanted, I’ll do it.”

“Wonderful.” Ms. Johnson pulled a sheaf of documents from her briefcase. “I have some paperwork for you both to review and sign. Then you’ll begin in your new role.”

Lucy accepted the stack of papers, skimming through and signing each. She was in shock, and she was confused. Why hadn’t Dominic told her that he wanted her to succeed him as co-CEO alongside Elliot? The answer was instantly clear, though. If Dominic had told her, she would have argued that she wasn’t qualified to be a CEO and that she didn’t want to work with Elliot Cobb. Dominic had waited until he was gone to make his request because he knew they wouldn’t say no.

Despite herself, Lucy grinned a little. Even after he was gone, Dominic still managed to make sure that everything was just as he wanted it. That was a nice thought.

Then she caught Elliot looking at her, and her grin faded. It would be hard to work with him, but she could do it.

She had to.

CHAPTER 8

ELLIOT

This was an unmitigated disaster.

When Elliot had received the invitation to Borderless’s offices, he hadn’t anticipated anything like this. How could he possibly be the co-CEO of Borderless in New York City while also running Keype back in Chicago? Worse, how could he be a CEO alongside Lucy, the woman who had broken his heart all those years ago?

He glanced at her across the table. Lucy looked different now. In college, her wavy brown hair had been long around her shoulders, but it was cut to just below her chin now. She had the same blue eyes and constellation of freckles, although they’d faded a little with time. Instead of a hoodie and leggings, she wore a skirt and blouse. She looked every bit the consummate professional, and yet, she was still the same woman Elliot had kissed in the gazebo. The same woman who had told him she was done with him without ever giving a reason.

Elliot also knew, from talking to Dominic, that Lucy didn’t have the experience needed to run a company like Borderless. She was on the creative team, where, no surprise, she did awonderful job. Yet leading a team of creatives wasn’t anywhere near the same as guiding a multi-million-dollar tech company into the future.

When the time came to sign the contract nominating Elliot as the co-CEO of Borderless, he signed without another thought, using his good-luck pen. It was a pen he’d bought with Dominic, which made the signature feel particularly special, as though his friend were by his side. Still, Elliot couldn’t help feeling that his best friend had made a mistake by leaving two CEOs in charge. This just wasn’t going to work.

So, after the meeting, Elliot followed Lucy down the corridor and pulled her aside into an empty office. He shut the door behind them and turned to Lucy, who looked at him with raised eyebrows.

“Hi,” she said.

For some reason, the simple greeting caught Elliot off guard, but he plowed through. “Hi. First, let me tell you how sorry I am about Dominic.”

A shadow crossed Lucy’s lovely face. “Me, too. This must be very difficult for you as well. I know you were best friends.”

“And you were his sister.” They looked at each other for a moment, their mutual distrust overcome by their love of a man who was no longer there. Then Elliot sighed. “Listen, I wanted to talk to you about what we heard in that meeting.”

“I agree.” Lucy folded her arms. “We need to decide how we’ll manage this role. I know we have our history, but I’m sure we can find a way to work together.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that,” Elliot said. “Listen, I’ve been running a company for almost a decade now. I know the ins and outs of the leadership role. You don’t. It would be best for you to take your share of the profits and continue in your current role. Dominic has told me that you do truly inspired creative work.”

Lucy’s eyebrows shot up. “I understand that you have more experience than I do, but Dominic appointed usbothto this role.”

“I know he did, but I think he was more concerned with making sure you always shared in Borderless’s profits than with actually having us lead together.” Elliot shook his head. “If you were more experienced in business, you’d know that having two CEOs is rarely a good sign for a company. If you’re there, it’ll just make things more difficult. I know how to keep Borderless lean, profitable, and growing.”

“You know,” Lucy said, her tone hardening, “I’d thought about deferring to your leadership on this. After all, you have run a company before. But after this conversation, I’m certain that you need me as your co-CEO.”

“Really.” Elliot crossed his arms. “And why is that?”

“You’ve changed.” Lucy shook her head. “You might know about business, but you don’t know Borderless like I do. We’re not some soulless cybersecurity company like Keype. Borderless helps people expand their horizons and grow together. If you don’t know that, you won’t be a good CEO.”

Elliot sighed. “Companies may be different, but they run the same way. You can’t keep a company afloat on ideals.”

“Great.” Lucy smiled, though it looked more than a little forced. “So, you’ll bring your business sense, and I’ll bring my ideals. Just like Dominic wanted.”

Elliot let out a puff of air. “Really, Lucy? I’ll make sure you get your share of the profits. I think this would be much smoother if I ran things myself.” And he didn’t want to work with Lucy, not after how things had ended in college and the ten years of distance that had followed.

“And, for the last time, I disagree. I need to go by my desk and pick some things up, but starting tomorrow, I look forward to working with you.” She extended one hand for a shake.

Elliot hesitated, still unhappy with how this was going, before he took her hand. Instantly, warmth shot up his arm, just like had happened every time he and Lucy had touched before. He ignored it and quickly withdrew his hand as though it had been burned.

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