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“We should invest in upgrades that will bring the place up to Bellamy standards without putting our name on it. We can bring the hotel into our marketing and reservation system and share the profits. There will be no layoffs, no huge changes that strip the place of the heart that’s already there.”
“So, we’d be investors but beyond just putting money into the place there would be no other obvious identity as a Bellamy resort,” Lillian clarifies.
“Exactly,” I nod.
“No, we’re not doing that,” Troy interrupts again.
“Why? Because it’s different? Because we’ve never done something like this before?” I challenge him.
“Because it’s not how we do things.” He gets to his feet. “Forget it, Drew.”
I slam my hands on the table and stand to meet his gaze. “I’m not finished,” I say.
“Yes, you are…” he steps closer, getting into my space. “I don’t know what the hell got into you but you need to remember your place in this company.”
“Just because you’re older, don’t make the mistake of thinking you can kick me out,” I scoff. “Dad made sure of that before he died, remember?”
“Both of you calm down.” Lillian stands and puts herself between us. “It’s like I said. You guys can’t disagree without turning back into children,” she snaps, surprising me again. She can’t stand confrontation.
“It’s not my fault that he makes up his mind before giving me a chance,” I argue.
“Oh, cry me a river.” Troy rolls his eyes. “The first time I say no and your panties are already in a twist.”
“Hey!” Lillian cuts in again. People who make sexist comments can often bring out the bolder side of her. “Can we talk like adults? I mean, it’s not like we’re in a conference room in a billion-dollar company or anything.”
“I need some air,” Troy says, before stomping out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Guess not. “What the hell has gotten into him?” I ask, as Lillian makes each of us a coffee from the cart in the corner of the room.
“He won’t tell me or Mona much.” She shakes her head. “I keep trying to check his work calendar for important meeting details, I keep checking with the accounting guys, but nothing is pointing to what could be bugging him.”
“I don’t remember him being this intense when it comes to the family business,” I say, as I accept the creamy cup of coffee. I look out to the world fifteen floors below our feet, and it’s not long until my mind travels to Meg. I wonder if she’s doing okay.
“I think he just wants to prove that he can be as great as Dad was,” she says, leaning against the coffee cart. “They’re some big shoes to fill.”
“No one asked him to be like Dad,” I say. “And he and Mom have been gone for seven, no, eight years now?” Damn, almost ten years.
“It’s not like business has dropped since then either,” Lillian points out. “If anything, it’s growing faster under Troy’s leadership than Dad’s.”
“One contract shouldn’t have him on edge like this though. Especially with such a small property like Seaside,” I reply.
“I think he doesn’t want to change anything so he doesn’t risk failing,” she says, with a quiet sadness in her voice. “I think he’s trying to keep up with you.”
“Me? What are you talking about?” I ask, downing the rest of my coffee.
“Since you started working in the company, has there ever been a deal you didn’t get?” she asks, lifting her brows at me.
“You look just like Mom when you do that.” I shake my head. “And no, I’ve never lost a deal.”
“Troy has. Several of them,” she points out. “He’s been doing this longer than any of us, but you’re the better brother when it comes to closing. One could say that’s the most important part of being an executive.”
“I’m not better than him,” I deny. “I just do my research, nail down my points, and go from there. There’s no magic to it.”
“Well, if you were in his shoes, wouldn’t you worry about someone better coming along? He can’t be kicked out, but he can be demoted. Maybe other members of the board see that and think you should take his place instead?” she theorizes.
“I don’t even want to be in the business anymore!” I blurt out. It comes out so easily because it’s true.
“It’s about time you admitted it,” she smirks.
