“Catherine has always wanted to work on the F1 side of the family business,” Caleb says slowly. “She has a degree in digital media. That’s what she should be doing. Creating and directing digital media content for us. She’s super smart and knows how to predict trends and is up on all the latest platforms. But she’s not doing that for two reasons. One, the position is already filled. Although the person doing it is okay, they aren’t killing it. Catherine would be an improvement. I’m not saying that as her brother, but as someone who knows her work. But the second reason is because of nepotism. She can’t come in and take over a job just because she’s a Collings.”
“No, she can’t,” I say.
“She’s biding her time for an opportunity, in any kind of communications,” Caleb explains, reaching for my hand and running his thumb over my knuckles. “But at least working for me, she gets to travel, keep learning the business, and nobody is going to say anything about her being my assistant.”
“It’s hard to be patient while waiting for that chance. I was so eager for mine, and I didn’t wait nearly as long as other people I know.”
“That’s because you are insanely talented,” Caleb declares.
“I had some help making my dreams come true,” I say, squeezing his hand in mine. “You got me here, Caleb.”
He groans. “Stop it. We’ve gone round on this before, Isla. I might have opened the door a little wider for you, but you are the one who got through it.”
“It’s more like you ripped the door off the hinges for me, but whatever.”
“Whatever,” he repeats, chuckling softly.
Before long, breakfast is delivered, and I go downstairs to retrieve it. We eat at my tiny table for two and discuss what our plans are for the day. Caleb has some workouts scheduled with his trainer. I have lots of shopping to get done.
“Why don’t you come to my place tonight,” he says, taking a sip of his latte. “I’ll figure out a discreet way to get you in.”
“I can’t,” I say regretfully. “I have my first meeting tomorrow at The Downforce Network at eight-thirty, and I don’t even want to take a chance of being late.”
A determined look enters his eyes. “Dinner, then?”
I nod. “I agree to dinner.”
“Sex?” he asks, his mouth curving into a mischievous but knowing smile.
I burst out laughing. “Duh. Yes.”
Now a full smile lights up his face, and I find myself smiling, too. I love that he shows me this playful side. I wonder whether Catherine could coax that out of him if she were the one filming social media content for Collings Motors.
Caleb asks Catherine to pick him up, and once she’s in the lobby, I give her access to come upstairs. Before long she’s knocking, and I get up to let her in. As soon as I pull open the door, I take her in. Her long black hair tumbles past her shoulders, and her big blue eyes shine brightly back at me. Today she’s dressed in a gauzy white button-down with a white tank underneath and jeans.
“Hello,” I say. “Come on in.”
“Hi,” she says cheerfully.
As I close the door behind her, I inhale her scent. It’s bright and summery, like a juicy orange.
“I love your perfume,” I say.
“Oh, thank you. It’s from a bespoke perfumer in Knightsbridge. She will even work with you one-on-one to create a new scent.”
“Is that the same place you get your shampoo?” I ask Caleb, remembering this from our interview.
“Yep. Same shop,” he confirms.
“Really? I need to go to this place.”
“I can take you if you want,” Catherine offers. “But warning, I can spend hours playing with perfume.”
“Same,” I say.
Caleb gets up from the kitchen table. “I can see I’m not needed here.”
“No. You’re not,” Catherine says.