The Merger

Chapter 1

It takes a bit of effort but I somehow manage to convince Colin to stay with my firm. I ended up chatting with him for over thirty minutes over lunch at this club's upscale restaurant before he left me to finish up his game.

While this part of the job is draining—the putting on a fake smile, the schmoozing, the stroking of egos—it's necessary. If I somehow manage to make it through this rough patch Miss Economy has kindly set out for me, my sole focus will be on getting to CEO. While being president is a dream come true, it's just the last step before I make my way to the position that so few women in the finance world have touched.

If I were CEO, there wouldn't be any running around, managing the day-to-day. I'd be able to create the vision for the company's future and prove that women can reach the top.

With warmth radiating through my body, I turn in my seat to the beautiful views behind me. The bright, sunlit room is surrounded by tall windows that showcase fields of green dotted by golfers, caddies, and carts.

I'm about to call the server to get the bill, but a tall, broad-shouldered figure in my peripherals forces me to turn abruptly. My smile instantly falters and my headache returns, overriding the Advil I took on the way here.

Lucas Handler.

I'd recognize that broad frame anywhere. He walks in like he owns the place and is laughing at something a person in his group is saying. My jaw clenches involuntarily as my gaze rakes over him. It's as if he's begging to be scouted by Lacoste marketing with a form-fitting navy blue polo shirt clinging to his torso.

And how much gel does a guy really need? While his brown, combed-back hair isn't shiny, normal hair couldn't possibly stay back like that on its own.

The last time I had a run-in with Lucas Handler about a month ago, security escorted us out. Apparently yelling at each other during a children's charity gala wasn't allowed. I frantically turn to try to find the server for the bill before Lucas spots me. I had such a nice, successful lunch, and talking to him would only ruin the moment and potentially cause regurgitation.

Yet as if he hears me say the thoughts aloud, his head turns and his ocean-blue eyes lock with mine. His smile instantly vanishes and he squints, seeming to check if I'm really on the other side of the room.

Oh, lovely. Just lovely. Yes, it's me, you dickwad.

I squint back and give Lucas a forced smile that I'm hoping is communicating, "Go away, idiot." Yet, just like Lucas to always want to get under my skin, he says something to his group before turning and making his way over.

My eyes roll and my arms cross as he approaches. "Talia," he starts in a deep voice before gesturing to the chair across from me, "May I?"

"No, you may not," I say curtly and raise my brows.

"Great, thanks," he says and takes the seat anyway, forcing a huff out of me. "So, are you here to try to steal my clients or are you taking up golf? If it's the latter, there's a mini golf course I can recommend that might be better suited for you." He leans back with a smirk—so smug, so arrogant, so Lucas!

"As a matter of fact, I just kept a client that you almost stole from me. Colin is back with McAvoy, so you can kiss my ass," I say in nearly a whisper so that the surrounding tables won't hear me.

Lucas' jaw clenches. He's pissed off and likely in the same boat as me, struggling to keep his business afloat. "You're lying."

I smile. This time it's genuine. I can't help it when I'm a step ahead of him. "Go ask him yourself. He's out playing a round." I shrug nonchalantly before adding, "And while you're at it, you can submit your caddy boy job application to the front desk. I saw a sign that they were hiring."

Amusement graces his sharp features. "You know I love a challenge. I think I will go talk to him after lunch."

My eyes widen for a fraction of a second before I muster up the most DGAF shrug I can possibly allow my shoulders. "Fine. All fine. It's fine."

"But say fine one more time. I think it might actually stick on the next one." He beams back at me while I scowl. Before I can respond, he stands up. "Well, always a pleasure Talia. And while I don't genuinely mean that, I do hope you have a wonderfully fine afternoon."

I don't say a word as he turns and saunters back toward his group that's seated on the other side of the restaurant. I continue scowling as I study him. He seems relaxed and captures the attention of everyone at his table. They gape at him as if he's saying the most intelligent things in the world. In a way, I get it. He is annoyingly intelligent. Plus, he has the face and body that can charm anyone who doesn't already know what he's like—what he's really like. But I know the truth. I witnessed firsthand the selfishness and narcissism that almost cost me my career.

I jump slightly when my server approaches and pulls me from my thoughts. After settling the bill, I strut out of the restaurant in my six-inch heels, ignoring his head turning toward me and hoping that I'll never have to cross paths with Lucas Handler ever again.