Julia
“How did your meeting with Marlin go?” I asked as Van and I settled in the back seat of the sedan.
“As I expected.”
“Is that good or bad?”
Van squeezed my hand. “It’s unimportant. You were fantastic up there in front of the board, stating your case and making your demands.”
Warmth bubbled within me at his words and also because of the access I’d been granted. It would take time to go through the information. Having the opportunity was what was important.
Sighing, I leaned my head against Van’s shoulder. “I was ready to give up.”
“Never give up, beautiful. You were calm and concise. When Gwen Butler began her—”
“Ambush,” I interrupted, sitting up. “She was the ambush, not Marlin.”
“I was going to say when she began her concerns, I watched you. You didn’t let her rattle you. That’s what she wanted. She wanted to upset you and get you agitated. Your calm was the opposite. I’m so proud of you.” He leaned in close, leaving a chaste kiss on my forehead. “And so was your dad. I watched him watching you.”
“I’m not sure what my mom thinks.”
Van nodded. “She’s more difficult to read.”
“I thought the whole thing was for nothing when Mom said what she did. When Dad told me that Mrs. Rose had sold her shares and was resigning, it didn’t occur to me that it would take the board to an even number and be impossible for me to receive the majority vote. If I had, I probably wouldn’t have even tried.”
“Then I’m glad you didn’t consider it.”
I turned toward him. “How did you know that Marlin would change his vote with a written ballot?”
“I didn’t. I also wasn’t certain what your mother would vote when given the opportunity to cast her ballot anonymously.”
“So why do it?”
Small lines formed around Van’s eyes as his smile grew. “Because successful people don’t leave opportunities untaken. And you, my love, are on the verge of immense success. You’re that flower, opening her petals and showing the world how truly fantastic you are.”
“I want to believe that.”
“I wouldn’t lie to you.”
I shrugged, suddenly interested in a string on my coat. “I feel different. Empowered. It’s new, and I like it.”
Van’s gloved hand came to my cheek, turning me toward him. “It shows.”
Our lips came together. Though the kiss wasn’t passionate, the firmness of his lips against mine was the conduit sending his energy to me and mine to him. If we weren’t in the back seat of a rented car with a driver we didn’t really know, I would want more.
When we pulled away from one another, I grinned. “Thank you.”
“The ballot was a long shot, but what would you have gained without it? If the answer was the same all that was lost was a few minutes. As it turned out, the answer changed. Opportunities are what we make.”
I shook my head. “I know I said the memoir can wait, but I need to write some of what you say down.”
My attention went out the windows of the sedan, seeing the city where I’d lived my entire life. I recognized the area and stores: Ann Taylor, Cartier, Burberry. There was an energy in this city that was invigorating and familiar. Even in late December, the streets were clogged with traffic and the sidewalks were filled with people.
When I turned back, Van was sending a message on his phone. When he stopped, I asked, “Where are we staying?”
“Somewhere where I can have you all to myself.”
My smile grew as his words twisted my insides. “That doesn’t narrow it down.”