Page 147 of Perfect Satisfaction

“Why do I have an overwhelming urge to go back in time and beat the snot out of your father?” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I regret them.

Sula’s face is tragic, years of pain scrolling across it. I don’t even need the translation—I’d go back and change that, but I wouldn’t change us? “Sula,” I say.

“Sorry. None of that’s really important. Let’s grab lunch. I have”—she checks her watch—“fifteen minutes before I have to be upstairs.”

Striding away, mask firmly back in place, Sula steps over to the buffet and begins filling a plate with hard-boiled eggs, cheese, crackers, and nuts. She also snags a carton of yogurt. Even amid the delicious aromas wafting from the buffet, I’m surprised at her spartan fare. I tease, “You didn’t cook it, did you? I mean, is that all safe?”

“Cute, Ronan. Really cute. But I don’t have much time. I’ll grab a snack later,” she jibes back before striding to a table.

We eat in silence for a few minutes before I ask, “If you were groomed from birth to be a part of this, why did your father name Joshua Basset as CEO?”

“My guess? He didn’t trust my judgment.” The answer comes to her easily.

I laugh. “In the months we’ve lived together, I’ve heard you negotiate more deals while juggling operations. What did you miss? A class in how to stand on your head?”

“I’m a woman. Plus, I married you.”

Her words land between us like a sword. The question is, are either of us going to pick it up and thrust it into the other? Her voice is devoid of emotion when she emphasizes, “He actually wrote a letter lauding my failures as part of his estate. He said he no longer found me of sound judgment for leaping into marriage without knowing my husband's character.”

I’m flushed because Sula knew me—the real me—all along. I open my mouth to tell her that when she slams the subject closed. “Anyway, he gave the chair to Joshua.”

“And left you penniless?”

“Actually, no. I inherited a small estate from my mother when I turned twenty-five.”

“Would this be the small estate you ‘invested wisely’ and Carys encouraged me relinquish rights to?”

Her spoon clatters to the table. Her eyes grow round. “I... we talked. I never asked... I don’t use it.”

I reach for her hand and squeeze. “I know, Sula. Relax. That was a gift from your mother. I’d never touch it.”

The twisted smile I’ve been on the receiving end of these last few weeks pops up before she lifts a finger and asks for a new spoon. While waiting for it, she remarks, “One of these days, you’re going to look back and wonder what you were thinking when you modified the codicil.”

“Hmm. I might. Your family is complicated.”

Her eyes darken in pain for just a moment before she glances to the side when her new utensil arrives. “Thank you.”

Damn, you idiot. You just essentially said you were rethinking the money.Frantically, I try to backtrack but can’t think fast enough before the chimes on the antique grandfather clock start ringing

She stands as if she’s on a string, the majority of her food untouched. She snatches up the carton of yogurt. “Unfortunately, I have to go. If you’ll pardon me, I need to make that call. I’ll send Helen down for the rest of your tour. Then later, you can let me know the rest of your plans while you’re in London so I can join you, if possible.”

You.The only plan I have is you.But I don’t say that aloud.

I don’t say anything because she’s already headed toward the door.

She might look, to the average person, as if she doesn’t have a care, but I know better. I know inside her emotions are churning.

Mine are the same way.

I just don’t know how to fix it.

CHAPTERSEVENTY-FIVE

I won’t lie. I’ve always held a certain disdain for name brands. With product placement spanning one side of the globe to the other, it’s difficult not to imagine members of the c-suite luxuriating on piles of gold coins, cackling while being served cocktails with little umbrellas.

It’s so much more complex than that.

I was recently invited on a tour of one of the mega corporations. Imagine my surprise to find department heads following the sun across the world just to have a few moments to touch base with their employees. I saw workout centers—complete with lap pools—that would make a New York gym jealous. Nurseries for young children so parents can work with peace of mind.