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“Meaning that we need to have a meeting to talk about how we’re going to offload a few of the brands your father bought but that aren’t bringing in any revenue.”
The sooner I can get Megan off the payroll, the happier I’m going to be. Dad didn’t exactly leave her very much, but the few things he did decide to leave her are tied to the company. Once we finish cutting all of the strings, she’ll be gone. This means I don’t have to deal with her or think about her ever again.
“Come to the office tomorrow at nine,” I say. Then I end the call before she can try to change the time. I’m not going to be flexible with someone I hate.
BY THE TIME NOON ROLLS around, I’m more than ready to head to the office. I drive myself, park in the garage beneath the building, and ride up to the lobby. Most days, I don’t bother stopping in the lobby, but today is different. I stop by the front desk to say good morning to Dolly. I also take the time to warn her that Megan is coming by tomorrow.
“Only let her up,” I say.
“Are you expecting an entourage?”
“With Megan? You never know,” I admit. “Just be aware.”
“You got it, boss.”
I pause, looking at Dolly. I notice the blouse she’s wearing. It looks familiar, like the one Alex wore her first day of work.
“Everything okay?”
“Your blouse.”
“Something wrong with it?” Dolly looks down at herself before glancing back up at me.
“It just seems familiar.”
“Bet it does,” she giggles, and then she turns back to her computer. I’m not ready to let this go, though.
“Did you trade shirts with Alex her first day of work?” I ask.
“Why would I do a thing like that?” Dolly asks, looking back at me. There’s a touch of fire behind her eyes, a glint of steel.
Oh.
She’s protective of my girl, is she?
“It just seems familiar,” I say.
“It’s a popular shirt.”
“Why would you trade with someone you barely know?”
For a second, I think Dolly is going to ignore me and blow me off, but instead, she decides to take pity on me and spell things out.
“For a billionaire CEO, you’re kind of a dolt. You know that?”
“Excuse me?”
“Calm yourself before you call security,” she says, shaking her head in the direction of the front doors. That’s where we’ve got two security team members standing guard today. Their job is to make sure nothing gets too crazy in the building. Not that it ever does.
“I’m calm.”
“Listen, sometimes people need a leg up. That can come in the form of favors, or it can come in the form of friendship and compassion. Alex needed a job. We could all tell, and sometimes you can be particular.”
“Meaning?”
Dolly sighs dramatically. I’m suddenly under the impression that she finds me stupid.
“Meaning that if she came in looking poor and having a shirt that didn’t quite fit, you weren’t going to give her a second glance.”
