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Ugh, Carl Pierce was just as annoying, pigheaded, and gross as his son. Though he had one thing going for him, he wasn’t handed his empire the same way his son was.
I never said he hada lotgoing for him.
“I’m not avoiding anyone,” I lie through my teeth like the pro I am. “I’ve been very busy with the foreign trade group; they’re trying to underhand us.”
My mother straightens and gives me a pointed look. I watch as she shifts from frustrated mother to shrewd businesswoman.
And there it was, my admiration. She was brilliant, and in a lot of ways, I wanted to be just as good as she was.
Which was probably why I let her push me around.
“Tell me everything.” She sets down her bag and takes a seat. Over the next hour, after having Lisa push my appointments, my mother and I work through the contract that another investor overseas was trying to swindle us with. We come up with a plan of action and get the company lawyer on board so we can fast-track the move.
By the time we’re done, my mother almost has a tinge of a smile on her face. “Though I’m not necessarily working anymore, I wondered if I would have to come in and handle things like this for you.”
My hope and pride deflate quickly at those words. “But…” she continues and hope peeks an eyeball out, waiting with bated breath. “I’m proud of you for catching that. That would have messed up a good deal of our work if that had gone through.”
Pride swells in me at her words, making this woman proud has been one of the only goals I’d had in my life for some time. I wanted to have that approval.
She stands and picks up her bag, running a hand down her navy blouse. “Now.” Her tone changes and I look into her eyes. “Fix things with Jasper. This is a good idea, and I don’t want you to blow it.”
Just like that… with a few little words, all of my hard work this morning just doesn’t even seem worth it.
“Hello.” The deep timbre of Warren’s voice soothes my hot temper. Since my mother left my office that afternoon, all I could think about was quitting and running away from home.
Sounded good to me.
“Hello.” My response is quiet. I nestle into the couch a little deeper, wishing this man, who was quickly becoming very important to me, was here.
“You’re quiet,” Warren accuses lightly, knowing my usually incessant need to talk all the time. “What’s going on?” I hear him moving around on the other end of the line and try to picture him.
“Nothing really,” I hedge. “Rough day, I guess.”
“What happened?”
I shrug, even though he can’t see me and sigh. “Just having to deal with my mother.”
He’s silent for a moment and I try not to urge him to speak. I’ve noticed he’s better when he has a moment to process his words. Just one of the dozens of things I’ve observed about him over the last few weeks.
“Is your mom really that bad?”
I purse my lips and think. “I don’t know. I wouldn’t say bad, but she does have a certain way about her. Something about her makes you want to do nothing but please her. Or at least, that’s how she makes me feel.”
“I see,” he replies. Warren has been nothing but patient and kind. I don’t know how I got so lucky, but I was grateful for every moment I got to spend in his company, he really deserved an award for putting up with my difficult butt. “And did you please her today, then?”
“Somewhat.”
“Somewhat? What does that mean?” His low, rumbling voice sends a shiver down my spine.
“It means that business-wise, I’m the best she has.” I never spoke so proudly like that, but it was true, so why try to deny it? “But other than that… no. I’m not pleasing her.”
“Why? What is it she wants from you?”
“Oh, you know.” Saying the words out loud to the man I was dating, wasn’t something I was wanting to do but how else was I supposed to put it? “She still wants me to form a connection with Jasper Pierce.”
It was the most delicate way I could put it.
“‘Form a connection’? Like… what, date the douche?” A hard edge lined Warren’s tone, something about it made me smile. Maybe it was a good thing he couldn’t see me.
