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“He’ll understand. You’re the oldest. You’ve given a lot more to this company than he has. And he has other responsibilities.”
“You’re asking me to take those same responsibilities on.”
“A family man is good optics, Oliver. Leonardo doesn’t offer the same assets Hanson did. But Quinn doesn’t share in Scarlett’s ambitions either. You won’t have to worry aboutherjetting off to Paris instead of on a honeymoon.”
I understand exactly what he’s saying.
Quinn will take on the traditional wife role that Scarlett shuns, allowing me to focus on business. I can picture the image he’s painting perfectly. A separate life from my spouse. Playing the happy couple only when we’re in public.
It’s what I always expected my marriage would look like, and for some reason all I can think about is sitting with Hannah on a hard floor wearing a sheet, laughing. My life already has plenty of cold, pretend relationships, and I hate the idea of adding another. Foroptics.
“Why would you step down in five years?”
“The board—and company—deserve fresh blood. New ideas. It was always my intention to hand CEO over to you or Crew as soon as you were ready to take over. I’ll still have a role on the board, of course. But I’ll also explore other opportunities I can’t as CEO. Start a foundation, perhaps. Or look into politics.”
I don’t believe a word he’s saying. He’s pivoting the same way he taught me to do, homing in on exactly what it will take to close the deal. And he has the advantage of knowing me better than a business associate. CEO of Kensington Consolidated in five years is an incredible offer.
He’s waving the one thing I want—the one thing I’ve always wanted—right in front of me.
And he’s pairing it with the elusive allure of forgiveness. Something I’m not sure he is capable of. But at least I’ll have this to throw back in his face whenever he brings Candace up.
And for all his many faults, my father is a man of his word. He’s never reneged on a deal. Our relationship will never be the same, and that’s a regret I’ll have to live with. But it could bebetter, and that sparks a hope I thought I’d given up on.
But I can’t say yes. Not only because there’s no way I’m committing to marrying a woman I’ve never met but because I’ve never reneged on a deal, either. I’m currently married, and I have to sort that mess out first.
I exhale. “I’m not agreeing to anything. But I’ll be at dinner.”
My father nods. “Fine.” Then he leaves the conference room without another word, leaving me reeling.
Instead of returning to my own office, I head to Asher’s.
“Come in,” he calls out, after I knock.
His usual grin is replaced by confusion as I walk into his office. I’ve been here once before, and it was when I couldn’t find Crew and was trying to hunt down a signature.
“Do you have a minute?” I ask.
“I—yeah, sure.” Asher clears his throat and closes the open folder on his desk.
I close the door behind me and walk deeper into his office, glancing at the leopard-print armchair and potted plant in the corner of the office before I take a seat in one of the standard leather chairs opposite his desk.
“Joke?”
“Huh?”
“The leopard print chair. Is that a joke?”
Asher grins. “Nah. I just like it.”
“Oh.”
He leans back in his desk chair, folding his hands behind his head. “How was Vegas?” he asks.
Instead of answering, I ask, “Does Kensington Consolidated have a nonfraternization policy between employees?”
Confusion, then excitement cross his face. The first I’m expecting. The second, not so much.
“Damn, Oliver. You’re hooking up with an employee?”
