Lib Novel Page 48
Me: Did you see Charles’ driver outside of my place last night?
Violet: Yup.
Me: And you didn’t think of telling me?
Willow: It was such a sweet gesture. Just think, if you accept Charles’ proposal, this will be one of those moments you’ll share with your kids.
Kids?
A few willful butterflies take flight in my tummy. Charles proposed an indefinite ending to this marriage. Did he forget that he’s supposed to have kids and grow the Hawthorne line? The lack of his image as a family man is the reason stakeholders are opposed to him taking over. Or is my crazy boss under the impression that marrying me would mean we would automatically be sleeping together and raising a family?
Damn you, Charles.
11
AN OLYMPIC GOLD OR A CAN OF WORMS
CHARLES
“So what did she say?” Ray leans forward on the kitchen counter as my housekeeper, Mrs. Kowalski, exits the room after placing two cups of coffee on the table.
I let out a long, exasperated sigh, the sound heavy with annoyance. “Is there any other reason for your early morning presence here, or are you just that worried about me, brother?”
“I’m not worried about you at all.” He grins. “I’m sure you’ve decimated that asshole ex of Daisy’s and spat him out within five minutes of the video going viral.”
“Your confidence in me is scary, Ray. But I’m surprised you have nothing better to do than watch gossip news.”
That only makes him smile wider. “I always have time to keep tabs on my brothers.” Picking up his coffee mug, he asks again, “Are you going to tell me how Daisy replied to your great proposal?”
“She’s not going to do it,” I state flatly, hiding away the tightening of my chest. The more I think about it, the clearer it becomes that there’s no one more perfect than her for this job. If only I could prove it to her that this will work beautifully.
“So there’s someone in Cherrywood who’s not falling for your charms?”
“It seems so.”
“Didn’t you make a tempting enough offer? I don’t think there’s anything in this world you can’t offer.”
His playful joke hits the mark, because there’s something I can’t offer.
She wants to marry for love, and I’ve sworn off that feeble emotion from my life. Love only makes us weak, and weakness isn’t something I can afford in my world.
“It appears there is,” I drawl, losing interest in the verbal spar.
“And what’s that?” Ray’s smile drops immediately, as if he can read my locked emotions.
“Why don’t I worry about that, and you can focus on the latest deal for Elixir Hotels?”
He pauses for a second, then rises from his chair. “I’m driving to St. Peppers to meet Mom and Dad today. Should I bring you something?”
I shake my head. “Not specifically, but I’m sure Aunt Hope will pack some of her baked treats anyway.” Ray’s parents, Zach and Hope, live in St. Peppers, which, until a few years back, was the headquarters of Elixir Inc.
“You bet she will.” Ray chuckles, but instead of walking away, he saunters in my direction, and I lean back in my chair. “Remember the golden rule of business, Charlie. It’s not about what you’re offering. It’s about what the other party wants.”
“And what if I can’t give her what she wants?”
“Then offer what she needs.” He looks me right in the eye. “Those aren’t always the same thing.”
I reach the office to find Daisy already seated behind her desk, staring at her black computer screen. Even when there are a few worry lines etched on her forehead, she looks her usual beautiful self. My knuckles tap against the mahogany table, and she jerks in her seat.