“Sounds like maybe she still doesn’t know,” Mom says gently.
“God. She must think I’m a scum bucket.”
“Yes. But once the truth comes out, that’ll change. What you need to focus on is how best to grovel.”
“Grovel?” I sneer.
“On your hands and knees. Saying it with flowers and candy.”
“Mom, I know what the word means.”
“You did a real number on her. Proving you mean what you say is going to be hell. Women forgive, but we never forget.”
Groaning, I knock my head against the wall.
“Let’s start by talking about her favorite things.” My mother is way too cheerful for the time of morning and the topic at hand. It?
?s a sign of how much I love Adora that I listen to everything she says and answer her questions with ease. I know her because she’s one of my closest friends. One of my only friends since I haven’t had much time over recent years to keep in touch.
I won’t lose you, Adora.
“IF YOU’LL EXCUSE ME.” I rise from the bench where I’d been speaking with Priscila after lunch.
“Can I speak with you, sir?” I ask Alby.
“Certainly.” Alby smiles as he looks over at Priscila, who waves.
“I trust you and Ms. Scott are getting along?”
“Very well,” I agree.
“Good. Good. Why don’t we grab a drink at the bar?”
“I’d prefer a more private location.”
“Oh. Do you have news?”
“More like questions.”
“I see. We can head to my room then since I have the suite.”
I follow him from the busy hotel halls to his swanky room. My palms are slick with sweat. Shoving my hand into my pocket, I pray this will go smoothly.
“What did you wish to talk to me about?”
“I wanted to talk about the ownership you promised me.”
“That’s after you close the deal, my boy.”
“Yes, but how do you think I should go about it?”
Alby chuckles. “Continue taking my advice. Court his daughter. You win her heart, you’ll win that merger for us. He’ll want to make sure she’s taken care of. So you better turn up the charm and make her believe it’s love. You did the right thing by sending your assistant home. She’s fun, but she has nothing to offer you.”
My jaw ticks. I hum.
“Ah. You’re still thinking about her?” Alby sighs. “Once you’ve married and settled, if you’re discreet enough, a mistress wouldn’t be out of the question.
I want to vomit all over the expensive wooden table. I’m not ignorant to the ways of the world, but hearing it discussed so casually doesn’t sit well with me.