“I know.”
I’ll never forget the day I told my father I was going to move to Wyoming for school. Our discussion was intense because I was supposed to be introduced as COO-in-training that year. In the end, if I still wanted a position with his company when I returned, I had to follow his rules. None of my friends, not even Kass, know that I’ve been taking classes online on top of all my courses in person. My father isn’t about to let some uneducated kid join his company, even if it’s his son. No, I’ll join with degrees I earned and then train for a year until the current COO retires. The transition has been set for years. I don’t plan to change it.
But now I’ll be bringing a family back with me.
“Your mother and sister are coming out for graduation. I think I’ll join them. I’d like to meet Sydney.”
I laugh. “You’ll like her. She’s smart, driven, hard-working, and she knows when to put me in my place.”
“What’s her family like?”
He’s asking for their status in society. I don’t really know. I never asked because it doesn’t matter to me.
“Well, her brother hates me, but her mom seems to think I’m all right,” is the answer I give him. I met Sydney’s mother once. To say I was shocked as shit to learn that Sydney was so obsessed about the country club because her mom works there is an understatement.
My dad laughs, and I hear his other line ring.
“I have to take this. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Bye, Dad.”
He clicks off without a goodbye.
That didn’t go as badly as I thought it would. He doesn’t seem too disappointed in me. Then again, none of my choices are messing with his plans for his company, so what does he really have to be upset about?
I head into the kitchen and open the fridge. Now, when it comes to Sydney, my next move better be the right one.
CHAPTER THREE
Mark
I grab the scones I baked this morning and my thermos of coffee and head next door. If anyone is going to have advice for me, it’s Ms. Coraline.
I knock twice and step inside like I have the last few mornings.
“Good morning,” I call out. “Are you ready for coffee and company?”
“Are you ready for your therapy session?” she calls out in return.
“Since when did you start calling them that?”
“Since I started to look forward to the mornings you come over so that I can problem solve. Makes me feel useful in this three-story house where I can only meander on the main level.”
I glance around. “It’s a beautiful home though.”
“No need to butter me up, dear. Let’s chat. Tell me about the updated news on you and Syd.
So, tell me. How are things going?”
I rub the back of my neck and offer her a scone. She takes her first bite just as I say, “I suggested that we move in together.”
She stops mid-bite. “You did what? Why? To scare the poor girl away?”
“No. We’re having a baby together. It just makes sense.”
Does no one think like I do?
“Just because you think that doesn’t mean she does. Not to mention, if the two of you weren’t really speaking as you said, then you skipped a lot of steps.”
