Chapter 5

▪️Ace▪️

 “Why shouldn’t you? People don’t work for free.” Liam eyed him. “Tell me all about those private yachts.”

        “Oh, yeah. You should see some of those babies. And the people spend money like water. My tips were awesome.”

          He’d spent the last three years as a personal assistant to an older, extremely wealthy businesswoman, and that had included taking care of all the woman’s needs—business and pleasure. Ace had learned valuable lessons in the corporate world, and the woman's generosity in paying for his education, in addition to the lavish salary and tips, had enabled Ace to save money to pay for an apartment when he made the decision to return to New York.

           “I’ll bet. But, selfishly, I’m glad you’re home. Even though you said everything was great, I still missed you. I didn’t like having you on the other side of the world.”

       He hugged Liam. “I love you. And I missed you too. Much as I loved it over there, I really did miss you all.”

                 Liam eyes danced. “Even Emily?”

       Ace recalled locking his ankles around Emily's waist and Emily clawing at his back.…Emily's furious, unrestrained lovemaking had left him breathless, on edge and achy.

           “What about Emily?” Evading the question,Ace pushed the hair off his brow. “We can be civil to each other. You don’t have to worry. I’m not going to embarrass her or you.”

      “I wouldn’t think that. We aren’t kids anymore. I trust you.”

             Coming from Liam, those words meant everything to Ace. He looked up to his older brother. The truth was bittersweet, but coming home was an attempt to regain the closeness they’d shared as children, and which Ace had watched slip away once Liam went to college. Four years younger and struggling to find his path, it had been hard for him to see Liam, the golden boy, accomplish everything seemingly so easily: the perfect girlfriend, a successful business, a great circle of friends.

          His resentment grew until he knew he had to remove himself by going across the world. Now, almost a decade later, older and, he hoped, a bit wiser, Ace wanted his brother back as his best friend.

      “I appreciate that. I really am going to try and put the past behind me. Neither you nor Emily will have to worry about me.”

       “You won’t even have to see her if you don’t want,” Liam said. “She has her clients and takes care of her business. We’ll find a place for you, don’t worry.”

           “So should I come in tomorrow, or wait until you get home from the honeymoon? I’m anxious to start, not gonna lie.”

            Before Liam could answer, a clearly agitated Emily, her face full of worry, sat next to Liam, picked up a glass of champagne, and drained it. “Shit.”

     Liam nudged her. “Uh, you do realize that was Olivia's? What’s wrong?”

          “Sorry. Just got off the phone with Amber.”

            Ace idly kept one ear on their conversation while checking out apartment rentals on his phone. The breakfast was winding down, and he figured there might be enough time to see a few places. He zoomed in on a decent one-bedroom in Chelsea and winced. Four grand a month. Damn, that would eat away at his savings. The Company’s office was downtown, and he wanted to live as close as he could, but he might have to rethink his geographically desirable area.

                     “Leaving? Why is she leaving?”

Mason stopped scrolling and started listening in earnest.

        “You know how her husband has been shuttling back and forth between San Francisco and here for his job? Well, on Friday he found out they’re closing the New York office effective immediately, and they want him full-time in California.” Emily grimaced, stress lines appearing across her brow. “She didn’t want to tell me and ruin the wedding weekend, but she’s busy packing.”

        “Well, that sucks. I know how much you depended on her. She’s an excellent assistant. Won’t be easy to replace.”

       “No, she won’t. Next to impossible, I’m thinking.” Emily propped her chin in her hand.

        Mason surreptitiously watched that full mouth droop, and his mind went there, to that moment the night before in the elevator 

when Emily's lips covered his, and he almost ceased breathing.

                      “I can do it,” Ace said.

                Liam swiveled in his chair. “Do what?”

          “Cover as Emily's assistant until she can find another one.” He watched his brother’s surprised expression change to a gleam of appreciation.

        “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Emily's withering glance didn’t bother him. Ace expected no less.

                “Why? It would be the perfect way for me to jump in and learn the business.” Ace held his breath.

          “Yeah, why not, Emily? Ace just finished telling me he spent time as a personal assistant for a wealthy businessman, so he knows the score. The man wouldn’t have kept him if he didn’t satisfy him.”

Ace winced at Liam's innocent words. God, he was so glad he hadn’t told Liam the whole story. But the businesswoman– Taylor had trained him well, and Ace was ready to make his case.

        “It’s true, Emily. And I’m just offering until you can find someone permanent. I’m ready to start tomorrow.” Ace tried not to sound too eager, but the prospect of spending another day with his mother looking over his shoulder, asking about his job search and apartment hunting, made him desperate.

         Brown eyes skeptical, Emily drummed her fingers on the table. “It’s ridiculous. He doesn’t know anything about the clients or how I get things done.”

       “Then teach me. I’m a fast learner and very eager to please.”

            He smiled, and Emily's expression darkened.

                 That’s right. You remember, Ace thought. 

         “I’ll need to speak to your reference. I’m sure your word is good enough for Liam, but I’ll make my own decision. You do have a number for the person you worked for, correct?”

              Ace pressed his lips together. He didn’t miss the insinuation. Emily didn’t believe him. “Right here, as a matter of fact. Would you like me to call her for you?”

         “No. I will.” Of course Emily wouldn’t trust him and had already pulled out her phone. “Give me her number.”

           Ace recited Taylor's personal cell phone number. “I have no idea where she is right now, so she might not answer.”

          Emily turned cold eyes on him. “Then I guess you’ll be out of luck, won’t you?”

              Asshole.