Page 16 of Miss Treated

“Of course.” I wouldn’t dream of doing anything without his blessing, especially a month in. “I have another topic to discuss.”

He was already turning toward his email. “Like what?”

“The audit.”

My words garnered his attention. “What about it?”

“I think it would work better if I assisted Kelsey directly instead of simply act as intermediary when she needs it. I’m already traveling to New York with her. And what better way for me to learn the accounting processes than to sit with her in the meetings where they are all being laid out for her.”

Selfishly, I would enjoy spending more time with her. But if I had any chance in hell of succeeding in this company, I needed to learn more about the financials. My father and Sophia had so far kept this information close.

“I’ll talk with Kelsey about it. Was Sophia at least polite to her?”

“What do you think?”

He sighed. “I’ll have another talk with her.”

“Good. Guess I’ll see you at home later.”

“For what?”

“My dinner. Nineteen years cancer-free, remember?” I didn’t say it passive-aggressively, aware my father wasn’t any good at mixing business and personal.

Still dressed in my suit from the office, I arrived at my parents’ house promptly at six o’clock. I’d barely had time to swing by my place to pick up Lady.

My mother greeted me at the front door with a large hug. She was in her sixties but appeared a decade younger with her incredible fashion sense, fanatical sunscreen regimen, and good Italian genes.

“Can’t get used to seeing you in a suit, but I have to say you clean up nice.”

I’d be more comfortable in shorts and a T-shirt. “Thanks, Mom.”

She leaned down, holding out her hand for Lady to sniff. You wouldn’t guess it by my dog’s shy behavior, but she’d come a long way. She would approach my mom’s hand rather than cower behind me.

“I have some roasted chicken for you, Lady. Come on, you two. Big surprise. Your father is running late.”

No, it wasn’t a surprise. But I wasn’t complaining. Since I dealt with my dad every day in the office, I was happy to have this time alone with my mom. I sat at the kitchen island on a stool while Lady gratefully took the roast chicken from my mom.

“Someday she’ll come and curl up in my lap. I’m working on it one piece of chicken at a time.”

I chuckled. “Of that I have no doubt. How was your week?”

“Good, although I had to hear about the big fight Sophia and your father got into.” She shook her head. “You’d think after all these years, I’d be used to their epic blowouts.”

“Yeah.” I didn’t dare mention how rude Sophia had been to Kelsey and me. My mother would have gotten on the phone instantly to admonish her, and I would be forever labeled as a tattletale. Nope, rule one hundred forty-one of what not to do when working with family: tell on your coworkers to your mother.

“Have you met the new auditor?” she asked.

“I have. She’s beautiful, smart, and held her own when it came to Sophia.”

She grinned. “You spending time with her?”

“We did lunch on Monday, but since then she’s pretty much ignored me.”

My mother laughed. “Oh, dear, do I hear your ego cracking?”

“Probably. I’m intrigued. She either isn’t into me, or she’s not picking up on my hints I’d like to spend more time together. Guess I shouldn’t date someone who works at the company.”

Not that there hadn’t been offers. Shauna had been less than subtle, and so had some of the other girls. I hadn’t minded the attention until my aunt had referred to me as eye candy. As the owner’s son, I already had a tough enough time earning respect as COO. I didn’t need to add dating around the office as another reason for others to see me as a joke.