My theory is proven correct later on when I break out into another fit of laughter and Declan’s hand squeezes my hip in response. A rush of happiness hits me as I come to grips with my revelation.
Interesting. Very interesting.
1 Noun, Greek: A pleasure of being able to say “to hell with it.”
28
IRIS
It doesn’t take us long to spot Brady Kane’s lawyer. He would be hard to miss given his boisterous voice and equally loud embroidered tux.
Declan makes a move to walk over to his corner of the ballroom, but I tug him back.
“We should play it cool and wait for him to come to us.”
The ice in Declan’s whiskey glass rattles as he takes a long sip. “You want us to wait and do what, exactly?”
I awkwardly laugh before taking a deep chug of my wine. “Talk?”
He grimaces.
“So how was work today?”
He shoots me a glare. “You were there.”
“I don’t follow you around 24/7. There are plenty of things I might miss, like you struggling with a printer or harassing an innocent employee because they forgot to use Arial font in an email. I mean, come on, what did Times New Roman ever do to you?”
His scowl deepens. “It’s not my fault they can’t follow simple directions.”
“I think you’d be surprised at how motivated people are to do a good job when you rein in the attitude.”
He looks away with a huff.
I grin. “You know, as the future CEO, you will have to learn a couple things about leadership if you want to be successful.”
“I know how to lead.”
“Do you, though? Because there is a big difference between giving orders and leading a company.”
He drags his eyes back to mine. “If my alcoholic father can do it, I’m sure I can’t screw up too badly.”
I take a sip of my drink as I consider my next statement. “But don’t you want to be better than him?”
His jaw clenches. “Of course.”
“Then what do you want to do when you become CEO?”
“What do you mean?”
“What’s your next goal once that happens? Where do you feel your father has been lacking?”
“It would take me years to repair all the business relationships my father has damaged.”
“Because you suck at kissing ass?”
His withering glare makes me laugh. The tightness around his eyes softens, all while his lips press together as if he wants to stop himself from matching the smile in his eyes.
He wants to smile because of you!