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“Yeah, no pressure," Spencer said. He leaned back in the chair, crossing his arms over his chest, seeming completely relaxed.
Cade looked at me. "We should celebrate this. I'm not exactly sure what the celebration would be about, but it does feel like it's worth remembering."
Colton turned to them. "Drop it. This is not a joking matter. Jake is under enough pressure as it is."
I didn't understand why Grandfather left this up to me to decide. I’d sell it in a heartbeat. He had to know that. And yet he wanted to keep it in the family.
"Would you prefer me to start the search for another CEO again? I estimate that in about four months, the company will be fit to be taken over by someone else.”
“You can do that too, of course, if you think you shouldn't sell it," he replied.
I hadn't counted on this. The only reason I’d taken so long to break the news to the family was because I wanted to have a solid case to convince my grandfather to sell it. I wasn't expecting him to relegate the decision-making to me.
Usually, this came easy to me. Some said I was ruthless in business, heartless even. But the truth was, I always followed the numbers. And right now, the numbers indicated that selling was the smartest thing to do. I’d hand Whitley Advertising over to David Kazinski, and I could go back to New York and continue my life.
Only a couple months ago, this decision would have taken me no time at all. Even with my grandfather telling me he’d prefer for it to stay in the family, if he left the decision to me, I’d sell without a second thought. But right now, I had to think. I needed to talk to Natalie. I didn't want to do it before her big event this evening, but I’d waited long enough. I wanted her to know about everything.
"Now he's hesitating," Gabe said.
I glowered at him.
“Obviously. Grandfather basically whiplashed him,” Colton said. He sounded as stunned as I felt. On the upside, it seemed to have shaken him out of his downward spiral.
"Well played, Grandfather. You managed to surprise him," Cade said. “Actually, all of us. Do you have any other surprises up your sleeve?”
“No.”
Cade cocked a brow. “I’m not sure I believe you. You and Grandmother are very... feisty lately.”
Grandfather chuckled. “Your grandmother’s business with you boys isherbusiness, not mine.”
He was determinedly avoiding looking at Cade. Something that didn’t escape my brother’s attention.
“No, but clearly it's mine. What are you hiding, Grandfather?”
“Nothing.”
Cade groaned. “What is Grandmother hiding?”
“Not my place to say. Always have your wife’s back. Always. Remember that. You might need the advice one day.”
Cade opened his mouth, then pressed his lips together, frowning.
Grandfather started to serve himself roast chicken. "I cannot pretend that I can decide on the future of any branch of Whitley Advertising. It wouldn't be fair. Especially since Jake invested so much time in it."
“Okay. Now I think business talk is over. Jake will obviously need some time to think about it. There's no need to beat a dead horse. Let's change the subject. When does Maddox's party start? And did Natalie organize it?" Grandmother asked.
"It starts at seven, and yes," I said. "She's very excited about it."
"She's very talented in event planning, that one. All my friends were thrilled about my birthday party. Has she got any other work lined up? Jake?"
"Earth to Jake?" Cade asked, shaking his head mockingly. "There's no point trying to engage him in conversation."
I glowered at him, and he held up his hands in mock surrender.
"Fine, fine. I'm just saying. Natalie is going to dump your sorry ass if you show up with that face. What does she think about this offer?"
"She doesn’t know yet. That’s why I wanted her to join us today. But I'll tell her tonight before the event."
