Book 5 - Page 108 (1/2)

“I was testing the waters,” she said. “I debated saying something to you, but I didn’t want you to feel awkward if he offered you a great job that you might seriously consider taking.”

“So what do you do now?” Steven asked.

“Now?” Eva shrugged. “Gideon and I are planning a vow renewal ceremony and then taking off for a long honeymoon. Ryan Landon isn’t a problem that’s going away any time soon. He’ll be around, doing his thing. I just won’t underestimate him. And Mark is going to start a great new job with Cross Industries.”

Eva glanced at me and I knew. Like all of my other battles, Landon wasn’t going to be something I took care of on my own anymore. My wife would be there, doing what she could for me, fighting the good fight.

Mark’s smile flashed white from within the frame of his goatee. “Sounds good to me.”

“Do you want to play naughty secretary again?” Eva whispered.

Her hand was in mine, her other hand cupping my biceps as we entered my office. I glanced at her, enjoying the come-on, and saw the warm laughter in her eyes.

“I do have to work sometime today,” I said dryly.

She winked and released me, dropping dutifully into one of the chairs facing my desk. “How can I be of service, Mr. Cross?”

I was smiling as I hung my jacket on the coatrack. “What do you think about me asking Chris to stand with me at our wedding?”

I turned just in time to see her surprise.

She blinked at me. “Really?”

“Thoughts?”

Sitting back, she crossed her legs. “I’d like to hear yours first, before I give you mine.”

I joined her in the chair beside her rather than taking a seat behind my desk. Eva was my partner, my best friend. We would deal with this, and everything else, side by side.

“After Rio, I was going to ask Arnoldo, once I’d discussed it with you.”

“I’d be okay with that,” she said, and I could see she meant it. “It’s a decision you should make for yourself and not for me.”

“He understands what we have together and that it’s good for both of us.”