Page 86 of One Bossy Date
“I would’ve thought you’d be jumping at this opportunity, Mr. Humphries,” Dax said, surprising myself—andstartling our mother by the way she swung her head around. It wasn’t necessarily impolite of Dax to challenge him, if you took in the context of the dinner. It was just casual, friendly talk—about business.
I shouldn’t have been surprised. While I’d been setting up and finalizing the green construction presentation, Dax had come through with several ideas and observations about what might bring costs down, considering the current US market compared to what he’d learned from Dad and his methods. It seemed that the green construction idea was something he was genuinely interested in—perhaps fueled by it being something that went against all Mom preached about keeping things traditional and doing what you knew. If anything, Dax was a nonconformist—somebody who loved swimming against the stream, and as the current CEO, I was perfectly fine with that.
“Why do you say that, son?” Charles didn’t appear offended, just curious.
“Well, green construction is a new concept, sure,” Dax said. “But I’d have thought a leading company such as yours would be the first to consider it since it’s clearly the future of construction.”
I listened intently, curious as well. Where was this sudden pitch coming from?
“I just think it would be a major opportunity in terms of public image. Sometimes companies see a major uptake when they take on newer generation ideals.”
Giving a nod, I jumped right in. “I agree with my brother. It would gain a company a whole lot of media coverage.”
“You think so?” Charles’s brow deepened in interest. “How is that?” He directed his attention back to Dax, as he had been the one to bring it up.
Dax was leaning back in his seat, casually sipping on his wine, just like he would if he were having a genuine conversation with one of his buddies. “Well, you know that the younger generations, mine included, go nuts for any ‘green’ concept. As they should, because it’s the better option in the long run. Just think of your children and their children. What kind of world do you want to leave to them? That’s a thing that’s really bothering my generation—me. And they’re the ones pushing the media, since it’s not only news channels but social media that spreads the word these days. Be it Instagram or TikTok, that’s where a concept like Anders’s green construction would be talked about.”
“Interesting. Don’t you think, Helen?”
“Hmm, very interesting, dear.”
“Thank you, brother,” I said, still trying to process his sudden involvement. If he’d only accept his place in the company, this could have been a proper pitch. I cleared my throat. “We have many ideas, Mr. Humphries.”
“It seems like you two brothers work well together,” Helen said, gaining a proud expression from my mom.
Dax shook his head. “Anders is the brains of the operation. I was just making an observation.”
“A very good one,” Charles said thoughtfully.
“Agreed,” I added. Perhaps Zoe was right about him. I turned to her. “Baby, what was it you said about Dax at your gran’s birthday?”
Dax frowned, wondering where I was going with this. He and Zoe hadn’t spent a whole lot of time together after all, and he probably had no clue what I was referring to, or why I’d even brought it up. Zoe understood what I meant, and soon after, my mother did as well. they smiled and nodded.
“I asked what Dax enjoyed most,” Zoe said, “and it was actually Anders who said Dax’s strength lies in dealing with people.” She swiveled her gaze to my brother and addressed him directly with a smile. “I merely added that you’d come to realize your passion yourself. I believe marketing and social media is not far off what Anders said.”
We were all watching Dax now. He chuckled and shook his head again. “I don’t know about all that.”
Charles had been listening quietly but spoke up now. “Anders, are you open to another presentation this coming week, say, the twenty-seventh?”
“Yes, of course, sir.” I was glad that—like many other CEOs—the words “holiday season” and “vacation” were missing from his dictionary.
“Daxton, how about you?”
“I’m honored, Mr. Humphries. But I’m afraid I have to decline. At this point, I’m not sure if I’d be able to fit the shoes.”
Charles inclined his head, but he was an intelligent man. Both of his sons, Oliver and Miles Humphries, were part of his company. He was probably used to seeing brothers as a unit, and it was natural for him to include Dax as much as possible, or at least not exclude him—unaware of the nerve he was hitting. He obviously knew what he wanted and went for it. “I like humble people. And you are humble, Daxton. You seem to represent the newer generation’s spirit in every regard, and I believe if this project were to go forward, it would be very beneficial, perhaps even pertinent, to have you on the team.”
“That settles it then.” I looked at Dax and noted a spark of pride in his eyes. “Dax and I will be there on the twenty-seventh, Mr. Humphries.”
Dax knew he wasn’t in a position to refuse again, without being disrespectful. I’d convince him before the presentation date came. If he needed convincing by then.
“How gorgeous is this?” my mom suddenly said excitedly. “My boys…workingtogether.” She folded her hands under her chin, shifting her gaze between the two of us. “And to think, soon you’ll be married and on your honeymoon. Daxton will be able to stand in for you.”
“Okay, Mom. That’s enough. We don’t want to scare Dax off before he’s even had a taste.”
Zoe, thankfully, decided to step in. “All future plans aside, Dax, it seems like you’ll be able to carve out your own path. Both Windham Construction and Humphries Properties are interested in what you have to say. You could make it fun for yourself, do what you love.”
Dax took her words in. “Thank you, Zoe. It seems your people-reading skills are on point tonight.” He gave her a lopsided grin, and she nodded, satisfied that she’d gotten through to him.