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“Among other things. Come on, don't tell me you can't relate to the situation. I don't want to disappoint my father. Even a grown adult feels that way sometimes, don’t they?”
“Yes, that's a good point. But again, in the spirit of honesty, he would unseat you if the board told him to, wouldn't he?”
The thought makes my skin feel like it’s too tight, like I’m going to burst out of it. A cold sweat begins to bead on the back of my neck. “I would hope not, but honestly? I can't tell. He is completely unreachable, on vacation in the Virgin Islands. But there's only so much he can do to dissuade the board—and once they vote, there's nothing he can do about it. So you see my position.”
“At last,” she finally murmurs, nodding slowly. “Now I see the full situation.”
She sighs softly, her lips pressing into a thin line. Come on, Willow. Tell me what I want to hear. Honestly, if I didn't know any better, I would think she was busting my balls on purpose. Like she's enjoying herself, like there's something funny about any of this.
It's almost enough to make me wonder if we've met before, but that's not possible. I would remember her. I've had my share of women, but I don't forget anyone as stunning as she is, not to mention as intelligent and unafraid to break my balls a little. She is nothing if not memorable. Yet she looks at me like she's seen me before—and she's unimpressed.
She sighs again, this time sitting up a little straighter, and I hold my breath in anticipation. “First things first,” she begins, arching an eyebrow. “I would recommend banning all recording devices in the club from this day forward.”
“Oh.” I didn’t expect that. “That's a big ask. Everyone carries a phone.”
“Still, you can insist phones either be left outside, or at least unused when your guests are within these walls. It's easily enforceable, really. One of your staff sees somebody on their phone and all they have to do is gently remind them of the new policy.”
“Alright. I see your point.” Besides, most of our members are at an age where they aren't glued to their devices nearly as much as people of my generation. If anything, our new policy will hit the staff the hardest, but they shouldn't be screwing around on their phones during work hours, anyway.
“And that,” Willow continues, reaching for the tote bag beside her chair, “you can consider a little free advice. I won't even charge you for it.”
My stomach sinks when she rises. “That’s it?”
“That’s it,” she confirms. “Otherwise, I would recommend you fuck off. You’re out of your mind if you think I will ever lift a finger to help you.”
“Excuse me?” I push the chair back from the desk in shock, staring at her with my mouth hanging open while my heart thuds against my ribs like a bass drum.
“That wasn't clear enough for you?” Now she smiles like a shark, her eyes going hard and cold. “I'll make it clearer. No, Mr. Sawyer Cargill, I will not be accepting your offer. I would rather eat glass than lift a finger to help you fix the mess you got yourself into. But good luck.”
Turning on her heel, she marches to the door. “You're going to need it,” she calls out over her shoulder before striding smoothly out into the hall.
And all I can do is watch her go, stunned into frozen silence at the sight of my last hope walking away from me.
