Page 64 of One Bossy Date
“I mean, congrats to them, but can’t they just postpone?”
“Well, with Christmas holidays coming up, Mrs. Gardener, his assistant, said that Mr. Humphries didn’t want to postpone. That he didn’t have the time.”
“Okay. Thanks, Caroline.”
I ended the call and walked back to my desk. There I stood, dropping my head.
I’d been gunning for Humphries because they were the best and the biggest property investment company in New York—by a long shot. If changes were to be made in the construction industry, they’d be there first. I didn’t want to change investors, but it seemed like Humphries was out of the picture.
My mother had been right. God damnit.
“Mom.” I called her first. She would’ve attended the presentation on behalf of the Windham Construction board.
“Yes, dear. Are you ready for the big presentation tomorrow?”
“It’s been canceled.”
“What? Oh, no! Honey, are you sure?” She actually sounded disappointed. It surprised me since she’d been against this from the start. “Did they say why?”
“The CEO’s daughter-in-law had her baby today. He’s planning to be with them for the week.”
“Oh? Yes, that must be Miles’s wife. I heard they were having their second baby. How wonderful!”
“Mom.”
“Oh, right. I’m so sorry, Anderson darling. I’ll let the board members know. What are you going to do?”
“I’ll spend the evening planning to bring on the second-best player.”
It was only a few days before Christmas and highly unlikely I’d get a meeting set up before next year. I had no time to lose. Yes, this was a setback, but I had dealt with setbacks all my life. It was part of the game. I still wanted Humphries, but I wasn’t willing to just sit and wait.
“All right, honey. You do that and keep me posted.”
She sounded sad on my behalf. I wondered if she’d really started believing that it would work. A few weeks ago, she was set against it. She was the one certain they wouldn’t be really interested. It seemed she was right, but she didn’twantto be right.
“Thanks, Mom.” I was about to hang up but decided to just ask, “What made you change your mind?”
“I’m just so proud of you, Anders. I gotta run, honey. I have a cake in the oven!”
And with that, she was gone.
I should’ve mentioned that my “fiancée” wasn’t pregnant. She obviously thought that along with a fiancée and baby on the way, I truly was staying, and that getting this deal might sweeten the pot. Well, too late now. It would have to be done another time. Funnily enough, now that the deal was on the rocks, I’dhaveto stay longer. I couldn’t just give up.
Knock. Knock.
I was about to sit back down and get to my research when my attention was pulled away.
“Yeah?”
“Anders? Your brother is here.” Zoe leaned against the doorframe, smiling, with Dax peeking over her shoulder.
“Come in.” I stood again, walking around the desk. “You guys have met?”
“Yeah.” She nodded, grinning at him as he stepped into the office as well. “He seems to know exactly who I am.” She raised an eyebrow at me. “Like,exactlywho I am…”
Dax waggled his eyebrows at me. “Yes,” I said. “I don’t keep secrets from Dax.”
“That’s debatable,” he said, turning to look at Zoe. “You didn’t tell me just how beautiful she is. Zoe, you are absolutely stunning.” His smile widened and mine disappeared.