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“It looks good on her.” I shrug, almost laughing at the look Harrison shoots me.
“A quarter of a million looks good on anyone. Just look at our mother,” he grits out, reminding me we have family dinner with her again this week. These monthly dinners creep up quicker and quicker every month.
“Are you coming to dinner this week?” I ask, wondering if the governor can grace us with his presence.
“Yes. Are you bringing your fiancée?” he questions teasingly, his tone lighthearted again.
“Fuck no, I will not subject her to our mother. I learned firsthand from you what a special kind of hell that will be.” I grimace, thinking back on Harrison’s own journey of bringing a woman into his life. Those wounds are still not fully healed. Not by a longshot.
“Well, just be ready for the onslaught. No doubt she will know all about her second-born son being engaged by then. It is already starting to come out. My media team told me they saw something in Society News this morning.”
“I have a feeling that Sasha probably already told her. Mom has been blowing up my phone. I feel like a storm is brewing,” I say, taking a deep breath. I don’t care about the media. They write things about us boys all the time. But I feel bad for Emily. I know she wanted to keep this as private as possible, even though there is nothing private when you are with a Rothschild.
“I hope you know what you are doing, brother?” Harrison asks, raising his eyebrows at me.
“I’ve got no fucking idea,” I quip, as Eddie and Tennyson finish taking their hits and the golf cart moves to find our balls.
“I’m taking her out for dinner again tonight.” Harrison is quiet for a beat. After our last date, I wasn’t sure dinner in the city again was a good idea, but Emily was happy to come, and this time, I am not letting her out of my sight.
“Where?” he asks.
“Mario’s,” I say, having booked the best table, one that is a little secluded, but also visible for those who really want to poke their noses into my business.
“That makes a statement,” he says, side-eyeing me.
“I need people to see us, but she doesn’t want media attention. Mario’s is one of the only places in town where media can’t access but where the who’s who of society go.”
“You do know Mom is not going to make this easy on you.” Harrison’s words bring me back to reality with a thud.
“I know. I hope she learned her lesson with Beth, though, and leaves Emily alone.” I again rub my eyes, the stress of my situation burying in my shoulders. I have no idea what I am doing; I am just trying to make this work for both of us.
“And Beasley needs to buy that property,” he pushes.
“Mm-hmm,” is my only response.
“No. Ben. Beasley needs to buy that property. If not, you need to find him an alternative to focus on very quickly, because otherwise, we will lose him a client.”
“You’re the fucking governor. Don’t you think we should be investing in schools instead of tearing them down?” The words are foreign to me as they leave my lips. Progress is progress, I have always believed. Progress makes our construction and real estate businesses a lot of money. But we are not total assholes. I don’t particularly want to kick kids out of their school, but I have never given it as much thought before as I am now.
“Of course we should be investing in schools. Education is very important.” Harrison nods in agreement.
“Well, do you think we should be turning this one into condos?” I continue, using him as my sounding board.
“I have no idea about this particular school, Ben. But progress happens. I am sure there are other schools nearby,” Harrison says, and I don’t understand how he can be so calm.
I say nothing. The memory of green paint on my Prada suit is distant, but the visions of Emily struggling to take a boy to the bathroom, of grabbing Rosie’s hand to help her paint, and for slipping that ring on her finger like a promise, are very vivid.
Harrison sighs, seeing how much this is affecting me. “Send me the details. My team and I will look over it. See if there is anything that we can help with.”
“Okay, thanks.” I nod, grateful he might be able to help me with this situation.
“And Ben?”
“Yeah?”
“Be careful. This has potential to blow up in your face if you are not.” Harrison’s voice is stern as he gives me his warning.
“Don't worry, I will look after Beasley,” I mutter, my thoughts swirling.
