Reese switched lanes, barely missing the car in her blind spot as she sped down Wilshire Boulevard toward downtown Los Angeles. The morning traffic was relentless, and every red light tested her patience. She was already running behind, and the last thing she wanted was to walk into this meeting late.
Her fingers tapped against the steering wheel as she ran through the numbers in her head. She had spent the night before reviewing the purchase strategy, ensuring she had every figure locked in. The valuations, market trends, projected appreciation—it was all there. She was ready.
The glass high-rise of Goldman Sachs came into view, and she exhaled, rolling her shoulders as she pulled into the underground parking lot. She needed to be focused. She needed to be sharp.
7:35 AM Reese:Just parked. Heading up now.
Collin's response came immediately.
7:35 AM Collin:Perfect. Conference Room 12A, 18th floor.
She checked her reflection in the rearview mirror, smoothing a loose strand of hair before grabbing her bad from the passenger seat and heading to the elevators. The polished marble lobby was already buzzing with activity as professionals hurried between meetings, coffee cups in hand, their conversations clipped and efficient. She rode the elevator up in silence.
The moment she stepped into the expansive conference room, she was met with a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a panoramic view of the Los Angeles skyline. The space was sleek and modern, with a massive glass table in the center, lined with leather chairs.
Collin sat confidently at the head of the table leaning back in his chair as he skimmed through a document, nodding along as Phil and TJ ran through numbers. He glanced up at notice of her presence and they exchanged a subtle smile before he returned to the document.
Christian was seated to his right, relaxed yet completely in control, his tailored black suit sharp and deliberate. He watched her as she entered, his gaze sliding over her like he was cataloging every detail.
She ignored the way her pulse quickened the moment her gaze met his. She ignored the way his eyes lingered just long enough to make her stomach tighten. She nodded at the room, keeping her expression neutral as she took her seat.
"Alright, let's get started," Collin said looking up from his notes.
Phil adjusted his glasses, flipping a page in the thick binder in front of him. "Based on the scope of the expansion, we're looking at a total estimated capital raise of six hundred and twenty million dollars. That will secure the three properties identified for acquisition while maintaining sufficient liquidity post-merger."
Christian nodded; his gaze unreadable as he listened. Collin leaned forward slightly. "We've analyzed multiple financing strategies, and given the scale of what we're dealing with, the most efficient solution is an IPO."
Christian's expression remained impassive. "Going public."
Collin nodded. "An IPO allows you to raise the capital you need without significantly increasing your debt load. It keeps your balance sheet strong and your valuation high. Private equity funding is an option, but at this level, investors will demand control. That means giving up board seats and decision-making power, which is less than ideal if you want full autonomy over your expansion."
Christian tapped a finger against the table, considering. "And if I'm not interested in going public?"
Collin barely blinked. "Then you're looking at structuring multiple rounds of private funding, but that means taking on strategic partners who will expect influence. You need to decide how much of Grey Enterprises you're willing to hand over."
There was a beat of silence as Christian studied him. A lesser man might have folded under the weight of that stare, but Collin held his ground. He was confident, prepared, and completely in control.
Reese watched the exchange, saying nothing. She had suspected that Christian would test Collin. But she also knew that even though Collin was ecstatic to work with him and admired him, he wasn't intimidated by him, and the way Christian's mouth curled at the corner told her he respected that.
Collin glanced at her. "Ms. Sutherlin, could you go over the logistics in acquiring the properties Grey Enterprises would need to successfully support a merger of this magnitude."
"Absolutely." She straightened in her seat, swiping open her tablet. "The three buildings we're targeting—one in Beverly Hills, one in West Hollywood, and one downtown—are high-value commercial spaces. The current market demand makes them competitive, but I'd recommend coming in twelve percent below valuation to set the precedent that we aren't overpaying. It positions Grey Enterprises as a calculated buyer rather than an eager one."
Christian turned his head toward her. His gaze was intense. "Twelve percent."
She challenged his gaze. "It's an aggressive but strategic starting point. The goal is to control the negotiation from the outset, not chase after the deal."
"And what happens when the sellers push back?"
Reese didn't waver. "They will. That's expected. But they won't want to lose a high-profile buyer like you, which is why we leverage that position. We let them believe they're negotiating while steering the deal exactly where we want it."
Collin smirked.
Reese didn't react. She simply adjusted the screen in front of her and continued. "If we structure the offers correctly, we should be able to close all three properties within sixty days without triggering unnecessary market speculation."
"What kind of speculation?" Christian countered.
"Well contrary to popular belief, not all press is good press," she quipped, "If you move forward with the merger, you'll be acquiring hundreds maybe even thousands of staff members, right?"
"That is correct," he said firmly.
"Well, they can't all operate from their homes. That would be a hassle on expense reports not to mention operational disruptions. Before you know it there could be whispers of embezzlement."
"Embezzlement?" he scoffed mockingly.
"I know you're fairly new to the LA market but those kinds of rumors even if it's not true can be crushing to even the most successful business. My job is to acquire these buildings to support the merger so it's a seamless transition in every aspect and promote cohesion so there are no hiccups, so twelve percent will be our initial offer."
He studied her for a moment before nodding. "Smart."
The conversation continued, shifting between financing structures, investment strategies, and projected revenue. Christian pushed back where expected, Collin held his ground, and Phil and TJ filled in the technical details.
When the meeting adjourned for a break, Collin stepped out to take a call, and Phil and TJ moved to grab coffee. Reese exhaled as she stood, stretching slightly before heading toward the break room. She needed a moment to reset.
She barely had her hand around the coffee pot when she felt him behind her.
"I have to admit," Christian murmured, reaching for a cup, "Collin impresses me. He knows his numbers."
Reese didn't turn around. "That's why he's good at what he does."
Christian leaned slightly against the counter, watching her as she poured her coffee. "But he's not me."
Her jaw tensed. "Don't."
He smirked. "Don't what?"
She turned to face him, her eyes sharp. "What do you want?"
He studied her for a long moment, and then his smirk softened into something else. Something darker. "You haven't told him."
She stiffened.
Christian's gaze flickered over her face, as if reading her every thought. "If you had, he wouldn't look so damn proud to have you sitting next to him."
Her pulse pounded. "This isn't the place for this conversation."
He chuckled slightly, before lowering his voice "You know what's been distracting me all morning?"
She swallowed, her grip tightening around her cup. "Christian—"
"The last time we were both at a conference table." His eyes flickered to her lips. "I can't seem to think of nothing else. It's driving me crazy."
He took a slow step forward, the heat of his body just inches from hers.
She held up a hand. "No," she said firmly stepping back.
The break room door swung open.
"There you two are," he said flashing a look at Reese, "We're ready to start back up." His voice was easy, casual, completely unaware of the tension hanging in the air.
Reese turned, lifting her cup to her lips as she walked past Collin without another word.
Christian didn't follow right away, but she could feel his gaze.
She didn't look back.