The day was going smoothly—almost too smoothly.
Jay had everything under control, as always. Keifer was leading the board meeting with his usual confidence. The team was focused. The numbers were good. Everything looked perfect from the outside.
Then the email came.
Jay saw it first.
She was sorting through her inbox when she noticed the subject line: "URGENT: Client Meeting – CEO Availability."
Her heart sank slightly. Not because she didn't want to handle it, but because she knew exactly what it meant.
A client had requested Keifer specifically. And if Keifer was unavailable, the company risked losing a major deal.
Jay opened the email and read it quickly, her eyes scanning for details. Her mind immediately went into overdrive, thinking of ways to rearrange schedules, delegate, reschedule.
But she also knew Keifer had a full day—meetings, calls, a presentation, and now this.
She looked up at him, her expression calm, but her eyes showing the stress she was holding in.
Keifer noticed immediately. "What is it?"
Jay stood up and walked over to his desk, leaning slightly as she spoke quietly. "We've got an urgent client meeting. They want you."
Keifer's eyes narrowed slightly, then softened. "When?"
Jay checked the email again. "In an hour."
Keifer exhaled. "Okay."
Jay nodded, already mentally rearranging his schedule. "I can handle the rest of your meetings. You can take this one."
Keifer's gaze stayed on her. "You sure?"
Jay nodded. "I'm sure."
Keifer's expression shifted, something like gratitude and something like worry. "You don't have to do everything, Jay."
Jay's voice stayed steady. "I know. But I want to."
Keifer looked at her for a moment, and then he nodded. "Okay."
Jay left his office, moving quickly to reschedule the meetings and inform the team. She was calm and efficient, but her heart was racing.
She knew the meeting was important. She knew it could change things.
And she knew that if it went wrong, it would reflect on Keifer.
But she didn't think about any of that. Not really.
All she thought about was making sure he was ready.
—
An hour later, the client arrived.
Keifer walked into the meeting room with Jay by his side. The client was confident, polite, and already seated, reviewing documents.
Jay stood near the back, watching Keifer handle everything with ease. His voice was calm. His presence was commanding. He spoke with clarity and authority.
Jay felt a swell of pride. She knew he was good. She knew he was strong.
But she also knew something else.
He was human.
And when the client asked a question that required a quick decision, Keifer paused for a moment.
Jay's heart skipped.
She could see the gears turning in his mind, the pressure of making the right call.
Keifer glanced toward Jay—just briefly—as if asking silently if she was there.
Jay met his eyes and gave him a small nod, just enough to say I've got you.
Keifer's shoulders relaxed slightly. He smiled, confident again, and answered the client's question with the right decision.
The client nodded, satisfied.
Jay exhaled silently.
The meeting ended successfully.
Keifer walked out first, then turned and looked at Jay.
"Thank you," he said quietly, his voice low.
Jay shook her head. "You don't need to thank me."
Keifer's expression softened. "Yes, I do."
Jay smiled. "We're a team."
Keifer's eyes held hers for a moment. "You're more than that."
Jay's heart fluttered.
Before she could say anything, Keifer's phone buzzed. He glanced at it and frowned.
Jay followed his gaze. The screen showed another email notification: "URGENT: Investor Meeting – Tonight."
Keifer's jaw tightened.
Jay's heart dropped.
She knew what that meant.
Tonight would be another long night. Another round of stress. Another reminder that their lives were never going to slow down.
Keifer looked at her, his eyes tired.
Jay walked closer, placing a hand on his arm. "We'll handle it," she said softly.
Keifer nodded, but his expression showed the weight of it.
Jay leaned in, resting her forehead against his shoulder for a moment. "You don't have to do it alone."
Keifer closed his eyes, taking a slow breath. "I know."
Jay pulled back slightly, looking at him with determination. "Then we do it together."
Keifer's eyes opened, and for the first time that day, he smiled like he was actually relieved.
"Okay," he said quietly. "Together."
And in that moment, Jay realized that even when work tested them, it couldn't break them.
Because they weren't just CEO and assistant.
They were partners.