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“It’s not often I find someone your age so idealistic who still gets things done. You remind me of my daughter-in-law.”
“Thank you for that. Now, I’d like to schedule a meeting to discuss your futurebusiness.”
“After thewedding.”
“Richard, you’ve acquired these properties; you need a strategy to sell them to clients. Every day you lose in planning costs you down the road. It’s summer. Couples want time to reconnect, and those without children want it on theirown.”
He hesitates. “Fine. Call my assistant and tell her we spoke. She'll set something up for nextweek.”
I hang up with a smile, dropping my phone over the side of the tub before glancing back atHenry.
I lean over and high-five his plastic hand. “Crushedit.”
23
I've always beenan “in your face” guy. No subtlety required. But the image on my phone as I wait for the coffee maker between meetings is subtle andarresting.
Piles of bubbles, two tantalizing rises of flesh abovethem.
My lucky Jet inbetween.
Since Daisy sent it to me yesterday, it's been all I can do not to head straight for her place. But tonight is game night, so I decided I could bepatient.
Still, I'd be lying if I said I hadn't checked out this picture at least once anhour.
I'd like to make it my screensaver if other people wouldn't see ittoo.
Hell, I'll make it wallpaper. Not on my computer, in mycondo.
I'm laughing and turned on at once. I didn't know that waspossible.
“One moreweek.”
I click off my phone and jerk my head up to see Xavier in the doorway of the breakroom. “Until?"
"Thegala."
He heads for the hallway, and I fall into step with him. Xavier continues to his office and shuts the door behindme.
Perhaps he wants to tell me I’vewon.
“There was an oversight in your latest recommendation, with the code they’re claiming is proprietary,” he says instead. “The founder might have borrowed from work he did before leaving a previousemployer.”
The hairs on my neck stand up. “He wouldn’t be stupid enough to try to steal from one of thosecompanies.”
“According to you or a judge?” His jaw tics. “Weren’t you on an investor conference call with thefounder?”
The one I got off early because I was… getting off.“Yes.”
“Listen, Ben, I know you have someone in your life, and I’m very glad to see that because it will make you a better person. But it doesn’t take the place of due diligence in theoffice.”
My gut tightens. “I understand. It won’t be anissue.”
Sure, I’ve canceled a few after-hours meetings. And taken my mom out of rehab and gotten her settled in her place, an idea I got after going to see her with Daisy earlier in the week. Still, I bet Holt would have a field day if he saw my personal credit card yesterday for the flowers, spa, andtequila.
I stalk down the hall to my brother’s office. “How am I just hearing about a possible lawsuit against thiscompany?”
He glowers. “I got word thirty minutes ago. I told you there wereissues.”
