irritating of all, though, was Jackson’s habit of humming the theme tune to Dexter’s Universe under his breath every time he passed Sasha in the halls. It was so childish, Sasha knew she ought to have been able to laugh at it. But sometimes the urge to physically attack Jackson was so strong she had to lock herself in the ladies and deep breathe until she got it under control.
The office that had long been Sasha’s sanctuary now became a torture chamber. As a result, she began doing more and more work from home, often poring over spreadsheets and making calls late into the night. With no time for dinner, still less wild nights of sex, her relationship with Grover Hammond soon fizzled.
The only chink of light in the gloom of Sasha’s life that winter was the McKinley deal. Haverstock McKinley was the largest, most profitable construction firm in the United States. Jackson’s father, Walker Dupree, had first flirted with McKinley over two decades ago, to try to develop a nationwide chain of discount shopping malls. That deal had come to nothing, as had numerous other proposals for possible joint ventures since. But Sasha had come up with a new model, to build cheap, prefab strip malls on Indian reservations. They would start in the desert states, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and eventually roll the programme out nationwide. If the deal came off – a big if – it would be the largest in Wrexall’s history. With her new compensation deal (Sasha had taken a huge cut in base salary and foregone her bonus in exchange for a flat five per cent share in her revenues) it would also make Sasha personally an extremely wealthy woman.
Jackson knew about the McKinley negotiations, of course. Everybody did. Publicly, he shared the firm-wide excitement. But privately he was nervous about the degree of autonomy it gave Sasha’s division.
‘I know you think it’s personal. But you’re wrong,’ Jackson told Lucius Monroe over a discreet lunch at the Harvard Club.
Lucius raised a wiry eyebrow. ‘Am I?’
‘Yes. I’m not going to deny the woman gets under my skin. But this goes way beyond our personal animosity. She’s running that retail group like a private fiefdom.’
‘A very successful fiefdom,’ Lucius reminded him. ‘One that we all profit from.’
‘Yes. For now. But giving any one individual total control over a business area is dangerous. Our clients and our shareholders need to have faith in Wrexall Dupree. Not just Sasha Miller. She could leave us at any time, Lucius, and then where would that business be?’
Lucius Monroe sipped contemplatively at his martini. ‘I take the point, Jackson. But these are good problems to have, don’t you think? Employees who are too successful? Besides, Sasha’s not going anywhere. Why would she? No other firm on the street would offer her what we do, a straight percentage cut. Sasha’s very talented, but she has the Wrexall business card and the might of our balance sheet and reputation behind her. Without that, she’d be nothing.’
Jackson tried to feel reassured.
Lottie Grainger burst into the coffee shop, hopping from foot to foot with excitement.
‘What’s happened?’ laughed Sasha. ‘You look like you just won the lottery. Either that or there’s a wasp up your shirt.’
The girls had agreed to meet at Bepe’s, a hole-in-the-wall Italian espresso joint a block from the Wrexall building. At six o’clock on a Friday night the place was almost empty.
‘Jackson just texted me. I’m going to Park City! He wants me to pack a bag and meet him at JFK in …’ she looked at her watch, ‘… about three hours. Can you believe it?’
Sasha hesitated, not sure how to react. On the one hand it was obvious Lottie wanted her to share in her excitement. Jackson had a big series of meetings in Utah over the long weekend. Wrexall was involved in developing a new luxury ski resort to rival Deer Valley, and he was flying up to finalize the deal. On the other hand, Sasha knew better than anyone what a thumping great crush Lottie had on Jackson. She doubted very much it was the business opportunity that had put that shit-eating grin on her friend’s face.
‘That’s great, Lots. Just be careful, OK?’
‘Careful of what?’ Lottie twirled around, a human spinning top of delight. Nothing would spoil her happiness today. ‘Careful of looking so utterly ravishing at all times that he won’t be able to help but fall madly in love with me? Or careful not to clinch the deal with my awesome marketing insight?’
Sasha laughed. It was impossible not to. Lottie’s joy was infectious.
‘Just be careful. And pack a lot of scarves. It’s colder than a witch’s tit up there.’
‘And what will you be doing this weekend, my miserable, workaholic friend?’ Lottie teased. ‘I suppose it’s too much to hope that you have anything actually fun planned?’
‘That depends on what you mean by fun,’ said Sasha. ‘This McKinley thing could easily close on Monday. So yes, I will be working. As will you, remember? He asked you on a business trip, Lots, not a date.’
Lottie raised an eyebrow knowingly. ‘We’ll see. See if you can squeeze some hat shopping into your busy schedule. It’s going to be a very formal wedding.’
Sasha watched her float out of Bepe’s on a cloud, not sure why she felt so down. Was it because she was worried about Lottie, and the thought of Jackson breaking her heart? Or was it because her own life was so utterly devoid of passion and excitement? She downed another shot of espresso and pulled herself together. Focus. Lottie’s a grownup. She can take care of herself.
And you have work to do.
Jackson sat in the first-class lounge, watching Lottie helping herself to orange juice from the buffet counter. Her slim legs and high, tight bottom looked cuter than ever in the tight-fitting, forties-style Alexander McQueen skirt she was wearing, and when she turned around and caught his eye her smile lit up the entire room.
It’s business, he told himself firmly. She’s here to sell these hotels to the city planning committee. Nothing more. Still, he couldn’t deny he was looking forward to the prospect of three days, and maybe longer, holed up in a hotel with the lovely Lottie Grainger. The recent tensions at work and with Sasha had been getting to him more than usual. Being around Lottie was like getting a massage for the spirit. She’s Valium and ecstasy rolled into one.
‘I got one for you too.’ Lottie passed him a flute of orange juice and her fingers brushed the back of his hand. Jackson felt a jolt of desire shoot through him.
‘Thanks.’ Get a grip. You’ll only hurt her and you know it. ‘We should probably run over the figures again on the flight.’
‘Right. Absolutely,’ said Lottie, wishing that Jackson would run over her figure on the flight. ‘We want to get it pitch perfect.’
You’re perfect. Too perfect for me. That’s the trouble.
They stayed at the Stein Eriksen Lodge, in the heart of the Deer Valley resort, a Nordic wood and glass structure with a three-storey atrium and spectacular mountain views. With its roaring fireplaces, intimate log-cabin bedrooms and the scent of pine and juniper infusing everything from the bed linen to the bath towels it was both luxurious and simple. Lottie thought it wildly romantic.
‘It would be perfect for a honeymoon, wouldn’t it?’ She gazed up at Jackson dreamily at the check-in desk, but he was all business.
‘If this deal comes off, it’ll be one of our main competitors. That’s why we’re here. Hi, yes, we’re checking in.’ Jackson flashed a smile at the receptionist. ‘The name’s Dupree.’
The girl scrolled down on her computer.
‘Here we are. Mr and Mrs Dupree.’
Lottie started to protest but the girl ignored