The Player + The Pact = I Do (New York City Billionaires #2)

Chapter 30

THIRTY

Jules

The sales launch of the rooftop wedding space opens today. We haven’t started construction because we’re still waiting for some permits to clear, but at least I can show everyone the incredible view.

The entire roof is covered in pink and white flowers and we have five rows of chairs set out opposite a small podium, so people get a feel for what the space will be like when everything’s complete. I’ve also created a makeshift bar with tall tables so people can see how much room there is for their cocktail reception and their ceremony. The banqueting will all take place in the ballroom, but we’re offering the entire city as a backdrop for their vows.

“It looks impressive,” Joan says from beside me.

“You think? We’re asking people to use their imaginations quite a bit.”

“Everyone will be looking at the view. Or thinking about the gift bag. ”

That’s my hope. I’ve gone all out on the gift bags. They speak to luxury and contain everything needed to relax after a stressful day of wedding planning. From luxurious bath products to designer linens and a bottle of vintage champagne. If the view doesn’t make us memorable, I hope the gift bags do.

“How long have we got until people start to arrive?”

“About thirty seconds,” she says.

The door is propped open and I tuck my blouse into my pencil skirt just as the first guest arrives. Most of the people we invited today are wedding planners and event organizers. But a few are bringing couples along with them, to see if the space works for their wedding. The website with the renderings and pictures of the view just went live and our calendar is open, ready to accept bookings as soon as they come in.

Joan’s cell rings as I step forward to greet our first guest.

“Nancy Franco?” I ask as a woman in her late forties wearing a canary-yellow dress and Chanel jacket comes through the door. I’ve done my research on this woman. She’s one of the most powerful event planners in New York. The Clintons, the Hiltons, and the Gettys have all used her. If I need to impress anyone today, it’s her.

We shake hands and I introduce myself just as a waiter bearing a tray of champagne appears beside us. We both take a glass.

“So thrilled you could join us for our launch.”

“You have the perfect day for it,” she says.

“We absolutely do. But when we start hosting weddings, we won’t need to worry about that because of the incredible retractable gazebo we’re installing. Can I show you the video? ”

Just before I press play on the screen behind me, Joan reappears.

“We just got our first booking,” she says, beaming at me.

“We did?” I ask. I was hoping for a few tentative inquiries today, but Nancy’s the only person to arrive. “Who from?”

“Margaret Taylor,” Joan replies. Margaret Taylor is the second-most powerful event planner in Manhattan. To get a booking from her so quickly is astonishing.

I register the surprise in Nancy’s expression. Given she’s here so early, I get the impression she likes to have the scoop on opportunities like this. I don’t want to offend her by thinking we’ve given someone else priority access. “So she’s booked it sight unseen,” I remark. “How wonderful. Is she coming today?”

“She’s downstairs, checking out the ballroom with the team down there. She’s on her way up.”

I nod, then turn my full attention back to Nancy. If I can get two of the most powerful women in New York event planning on board today, I’ll have earned my keep here at The Mayfair. “Let me show you this gazebo,” I say to Nancy, “before anyone else can catch a glimpse.”

The video plays and I explain how easy it will be to set up. She asks a few questions and then gets pulled away by another event planner she clearly wants to catch up with.

Just then, Margaret Taylor comes through the door. I smile and go to greet her—and freeze in my tracks as I see Leo behind her. Did he even know we were having the launch today, or was he coming for another reason and just happened to stumble into this event?

His eyes slice to mine, and he smiles.

“Jules Moore,” Margaret says. “So nice to see you.”

We exchange air kisses. This is not the first time we’ve met. I’ve dealt with her for a wedding she booked in our ballroom this spring—one of only four in the first quarter of next year.

“Thank you for coming,” I say. “I understand you’ve booked on behalf of one of your clients already.”

“Yes, very excited to be able to support you with the wonderful things you’re doing with this hotel. Aren’t we, Leo?”

It’s like a metal claw has grabbed my heart right out of my chest.

He grins. “Yes, very excited,” he says.

Leo? My Leo? The Leo standing right in front of me is getting married?

“I must see that video of the gazebo you promised,” she says.

Joan takes over and guides Margaret to the table and laptop. And thank god, because I know if I move, I’ll crack in two. Leo doesn’t move with her. Instead, he puts his hand at the small of my back. Somehow I manage to shuffle to the side of the roof terrace, right by the railings.

“Congratulations,” I manage to eke out, although I can’t muster a smile.

I glance up to find him looking right at me. I want to disappear through thirty-five floors to the basement. I feel like I’m turning to dust right before his eyes, like my insides are drying up and will blow away in the wind any minute now.

“I booked it for us,” he says.

I hold my breath. What did he just say?

“I wanted to make sure we got the first booking. It seemed fitting.”

“I don’t understand,” I choke out. “You’re getting married and… ”

“Oh god!” It’s the first time I’ve ever heard Leo sound panicked. “No, I’m not getting married. Not to someone else, anyway. We’re getting married. I hope. In two years.”

I figure I might be hallucinating. Or just plain asleep and dreaming. What is he talking about?

“You ran out on me because you were scared I was going to run out on you. Just like your father did, over and over. I didn’t get it at first. I didn’t understand that I lost you when I told you about your dad not showing up for our meeting. Eventually, it made perfect sense. I thought you didn’t want me. But that’s not it. You don’t want him .”

My heart stutters in my chest. I have to pull in a slow breath to settle my pulse.

“I know you love me just as much as I love you,” he says.

And from somewhere, I find the strength to put my hand on his chest to stop him galloping further ahead when I’m still so far behind.

“You love me?” I ask him, staring into his eyes.

“So much.” He smooths his hands over my shoulders. “And you love me too.” I smile at him, and he grins back, sure enough for both of us. “You don’t have to say it. I know it. I feel it. We both feel it. You just don’t trust it. And I don’t think I did either for a minute back there. It took me a beat to catch up. Now that I have, now that I’m sure , there’s no going back. So I booked our wedding. Maybe we want to do it earlier and cancel. Maybe we want to do it later and just use the date for a big party. Either way, I didn’t want to miss out on being the first ones to benefit from the incredible job you’re going to do here.”

“Have you actually lost your mind?” It’s the only thing I can think of to say.

He chuckles. “No. The exact opposite. Take all the time you need to catch up. I’m here forever, so there’s no rush. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I thought you were getting married to someone else.”

“There’ll never be anyone else for me. From our very first meeting, something in me shifted.”

“What? When I was blue and rocking a skull belt?”

“Yeah. I’d never felt such a connection before. I was pretty torn up about you not calling. I’m not letting you go again.”

“Just like that, this is how it is?” I ask.

“Yup. I’m here to stay. I’m not walking away from you. Not ever.”

There’s a lump of grief packed in my throat. “You can’t say that.”

“I can say that.”

“But we’re going to fight.”

He laughs. “I know. But I’m not going to run. We’re going to work through whatever comes up. You’re the person I want to spend my life with. You’re the person I want to cook mac and cheese with. You’re the person I want to raise a family and grow old with. It’s all you, Jules.”

I reach for the railing to steady me. Everything he’s saying is exactly what I needed to hear, and I didn’t even know it.

“I do love you,” I mumble. “And I’m so sorry I ran out on you. I shouldn’t have done that. I was… scared. Scared that you weren’t who I thought you were.”

He slides an arm around my waist. “I know. And I know you’re going to get scared again and you might try and ditch me, but I won’t let you go. I’m here. I’m who you can rely on for the rest of your life.”

I exhale. Is it really that easy? He just turns up and promises me everything I’ve ever wanted in a relationship ?

But no—none of this has been simple. What Leo’s done has taken a lot of effort, and bravery, and… love.

“I love you,” I say, my tone stronger now. “And… I think I’m going to need to take things in bite-sized pieces, but… I want to be with you too. Forever.”

“You do?”

“I absolutely do.”