2. Jack

CHAPTER 2

JACK

S atisfied, I hang up and get up from my desk to stretch. It isn't even nine a.m. yet, and already I'm crushing my to-do list.

Securing the meeting with Leah Woodland is the biggest win I've had this month. Which is funny.

GourmetGlobal is so small that one would think Leah would have immediately handed over the keys. And yet she's held on tooth and nail.

Never mind. I'll have that app soon enough. She's clearly put a lot of care into it, but I'm the only person who can help it reach its highest potential.

Pouring myself a cup of coffee, I take it to my office window and watch the fog settle across the city.

I've spent my whole life in Olympus City, and the view never gets old. From Leadsom Tower, not only can I see skyscrapers kissing the clouds, but I also have an amazing view of the pine forest.

My thoughts float to the weekend. Maybe I'll get out of town on Saturday. Fly to LA or Miami and let loose.

Of course, I need to have this meeting with Leah first. After that, anything is on the table.

Sipping my coffee, I turn back to my computer. I already have multiple tabs on Leah pulled up on my computer.

Not that I'm not already very familiar with her. I've been watching GourmetGlobal for years, as I do almost everything tech-related that happens in this city.

California-raised in a small town by her grandparents. Moved to Olympus City right after college and worked at a few different businesses before starting GourmetGlobal.

At thirty years old, she's a real up-and-comer. Her startup could use some help, but luckily I'm more than willing to take it off her hands.

All in all, Leah's story is impressive.

Even more impressive is her beauty.

For perhaps the dozenth time this morning, my gaze is drawn to the picture of her on my screen. With long red hair, bright green eyes, and a splatter of freckles across her nose, she's somehow adorably sexy and incredibly cute at the same time.

Sitting back in my chair, I tear my eyes away from the computer. It's a personal rule that I don't mix business with pleasure.

Usually, I'm not this tempted. There's something about Leah, though. Something that pulls me in.

While it's not the main reason I asked her to have dinner with me, that draw is definitely on the list.

But no matter. I can put my personal proclivities to the side for a while and focus on work. I do it all the time.

And then, after the meeting, I'll find a way to let off steam. Because I can already tell that Leah's good looks will have me plenty worked up.

There's a knock on the door and my CFO, Owen, pokes his head in.

If most people were to open the door without permission, I'd snap at them. Owen is so good-natured, though, that it's hard to be annoyed with him. Everyone loves the guy.

"Hey, man." He leans against the doorjamb. "Any news on the GourmetGlobal front?"

"We're meeting for dinner Friday. There will be a deal by the end of the day Monday."

"You sure about that?" He cocks an eyebrow. "I looked into Leah Woodland. She sold some shares a few years back, but beyond that it looks like she's clinging to this app until she dies."

I shrug and lean back in my chair. "People change. A lot can happen in a few years. And even if she's not interested in selling, I'm confident I can convince her otherwise."

He nods, but I can tell he's still skeptical. "Well, good luck with that, man. I'm rooting for you."

"Thank you, but I don't need the luck."

He chuckles. "Yeah, I know you don't."

I give him a wink and he disappears back down the hall.

I shake my head and glance back at the picture of Leah on my computer screen. Despite Owen's reservations, I'm not worried. I've been doing this for years, and there's no one I can't convince with the right argument.

There's a reason that I'm at the top of this industry. Leah hasn't met the full power of my influence, but soon enough, she will.

Give me an hour, and I'll have the woman eating out of the palm of my hand.