Page 68 of Brighter Together

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“What was wrong with them?”

“I’m not giving you details about your competitors.”

“Don’t be dramatic. I’m asking what Tommy thought.”

“He thought they were too modern.”

That is already more than I should say.

I know it as soon as the words leave my mouth.

My stomach turns.

Lee laughs softly. “Good.”

I grip the phone tighter. “Why is that good?”

“Because ours isn’t.”

Ours.

His.

Dad’s.

Never mine.

“I want you to work on him tonight,” he says.

The room seems to go very still.

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“No.”

The word comes out before fear can stop it.

There is a pause.

“Excuse me?”

“I said no.” My heart is pounding hard enough to hurt.

“He’s my boss. I’m not going to manipulate him into giving you the contract.”

“Don’t be so fucking stupid, Ella. I’m not asking you to climb into his bed. Although if you think it helps—” He lets the suggestion hang.

My face burns.

“I’m telling you to remind him why we are the best option. Talk about our experience. Tell him Dad has worked on historic buildings before.”

“No.”