“You know how important this acquisition was. Of course I spent the whole time in the office.” I would’ve spent years in the office until I got it, because nothing felt as good as watching the ink dry on a big deal. “Feel like talking strategy for Tokyo now?”
“No, no, no. Don’t even think about that merger yet,” he ordered. “You just raised my portfolio by a couple billion. Take a few weeks off. You’ve earned it.”
“I’m fine, and we need to use this momentum while everyone’s talking about us.”
“Work can wait. You’ve earned some fun. Hell, you should join your brother on his trip.”
I rolled my eyes toward the ceiling, grateful he couldn’t see me. When was my brother ever not on a trip? The prick partied like he didn’t have a care in the world.
And maybe he didn’t.
I strolled over to the wall of windows that overlooked the city. “Where’s Harrison going this time?”
“He’s taking my yacht out for a week with the new wife, and they’re spending a night on the private island. Sounds like fun. You should go.”
“Right.” I rubbed my temple, anticipating a headache just at the mention of Harrison. “Nothing more fun than being my little brother’s third wheel.”
Grandfather snorted. “You know that boy doesn’t go anywhere without an entourage. You’ll be in good company. Drinks. Sun. Friends. Doesn’t that sound like a better use of your summer than all those long meetings and paperwork?”
It sounded like torture.
“We should get a jump on me taking over the UK operations instead,” I reminded him. “I’ll be ready to relocate this fall.”
“Whoa. Slow down, tiger.” He chuckled. “I don’t recall saying you got the position yet.”
I squinted before turning away from the windows.Tiger?
“I just closed a deal our board claimed was impossible,” I told him carefully. “You said it yourself; this thing was DOA before I stepped in. Not to mention you’ve been grooming me for the UK gig for years. Why the hesitation now?”
“Relax, Cade. I’m not saying no. Just that nothing’s been finalized yet.”
My mind raced, trying to make sense of it. What benefit he’d gain by stalling. “The only reason it wouldn’t be finalized is if you had someone else in mind. Who else could you possibly be considering for the promotion?”
“Don’t go jumping to conclusions now. You know big moves like this take time.” He sighed. “That’s enough business talk. I’m having dinner with Harrison at the pier tonight. Come join us, and we’ll celebrate the deal.”
My jaw clenched. “Can’t make it. I have a call lined up with Tokyo’s board later.”
“Already?” A pause lingered before he added, “You can’t keep working at this rate. You’ll burn yourself out.”
“Says the man who’s worked a lot longer than I have, yet you’re doing just fine.”
He snorted. “I vacation every summer, go on enough golf trips to make your grandmother turn in her grave, and take a siesta every afternoon. When’s the last time you took even half a day off?”
I pressed my lips together, not giving him the satisfaction of knowing I couldn’t remember.
“How about the last time you came for Christmas?” he pressed. “Or one of our family trips on the yacht? I can’t recall when I’ve last seen you outside of work.”
“I wasn’t aware attending Christmas was a requirement for the UK position,” I said dryly.
A long, heavier sigh came through the phone.
“Let me tell you something I wish I’d learned earlier in life. Being the person who works the hardest isn’t always a good thing,” Grandfather explained. “Being the first one in the office and the last to leave? That’s just less time spent with the people important to you. You need to stop and smell the flowers before your whole life passes you by. Look at Harrison. He’s got a new wife. All those friends and get-togethers. He joins me and your mother for dinner once a week. When’s the last time you even called your mother?”
I hadn’t expected a lecture when I called him. “You’re saying your hesitation to promote me is because I don’t call my mother enough?”
“Don’t put words in my mouth. We both know you’re the best fit for the role, but there’s more to life than work. You’re just too blinded by your ambition to see it right now. What kind ofgrandfather would I be if I encouraged you to waste your youth and keep going at this rate?” Background noise picked up on the line before he sighed. “Call your brother. I’ll take care of the empire while you two do some family bonding on the open seas. We’ll talk when you get back.”
He hung up without letting me get another word in, and I muttered a few choice curses. I loved my grandfather. I did. He’d stepped in for me and Harrison after our father passed when we were young. Our mother had been too busy avoiding her grief and hopping from husband to husband to raise us, so Grandfather had picked up the slack. I’d always been grateful for him.
