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“You what? But how? I don’t…” I stuttered, rising to my feet. I began to pace, just like I did in my office when I was mulling over a new ad campaign for the company.
“You’re not happy here, Sophie.” Lottie smiled gently at me, the ridiculous flower fascinator on her head tilting sideways. The truth of her words hit like an arrow to my gut, though my brain refused to accept them.
“But Ilovemy job. I’m good at my job,” I insisted.
“Life is about more than just your job. Yes, you’re an asset to the company. Which you’ve proven, relentlessly, through the years. I’m,we, were worried you’ll burn out. You barely socialize as it is. How you managed to find time to date, I don’t know…” Lottie sneered slightly when she referenced my boyfriend. A boyfriend, that I, admittedly, didn’t have much time for. Either way, I didn’t wantthis. I didn’t like when Starbucks ran out of my favorite cinnamon syrup, let alone when they stopped serving pumpkin spice lattes each year. Why can’t they just serve a fan favorite year-round? It was annoying. So moving to Scotland? Yeah, that was too much change for me.
“‘If you spend the year in Scotland and restore the Order, the trust will be yours. To the tune of thirty million dollars,’” Harold said, enunciating clearly so I could understand just what was at stake. At the staggering amount of money, I dropped back into my chair and downed the rest of the whisky, not even feeling the burn as it raced down my throat.
“I can’t just…startover. My life is arranged just so,” I insisted, looking at Lottie. Even the thought of all that money scared me because then it would mean I’d have to make decisions with it. Nobody would expect me to keep working as a brand manager if I hadthatkind of money at my disposal.
“And maybe that’s the problem,” Lottie said.
“I…I need to think,” I said. “Am I allowed that? Or is there a stipulation that I have to decide right now?” I looked at Harold.
“You have twenty-four hours.” Harold gave me a wry smile. “Your uncle remarked upon a tendency to overthink and resist impulsive decisions.”
“Oh, he’s really cornered you on this one.” Lottie laughed, and I threw my hands up in the air.
“Seriously? You’re laughing?”
“Well, darling, it’s not necessarily a bad problem to have. A year in Scotland away from work and the promise of thirty million dollars on the line? I’m sure every last person mulling about in the hallway out there would jump at this opportunity,” Lottie said.
“I’m not that person.” I was dangerously close to stamping my foot. I didn’t want to go to Scotland, and I certainly didn’t want to leave my job.
“Which is exactly why he’s left this to you.” Lottie left her seat and rounded the table, pulling me into a hug. I stood rigidly, not wanting to give in, as my thoughts tangled. “This was important to him, Sophie. He wouldn’t ask this of you if it didn’t matter. Give it a chance.”
Torn, I pulled from her embrace and left the room, closing the door quietly behind me. I wasn’t one for dramatic exits and door slams anyway.
“Hey, Soph. I’ve been waiting for you.”
I looked up to see Chad sauntering over to me, his bright smile at odds with his spray tan. He should have gone a level lighter. I almost sneered at his perfectly coiffed hair. I always wanted to ruffle it up, pushing those perfect strands out of place, and he always shoved my hand away and went to check the mirror. I suppose that was what I got for dating a handsome man. I wouldn’t know, I guess. Chad was the first truly good-looking man that I’d been with. Before that, I’d dabbled in the nerdy pond, a pond I was very comfortable in, mind you, until Chad had nipped me from the lily pads and dropped me at a private pool where I blinked in confusion at all the beautiful plastic people.
“Hi,” I said, accepting his kiss.
“So what happened? Did you get anything good?” Chad asked, searching my face, and that was when it hit me. He’d never once asked ifIwas okay. Sure, he’d doted on me since Arthur had died, but bringing me wine and asking me if I knew the contents of the will did not in fact equal asking after my feelings.
“What do you mean?” I played dumb, tilting my head at him.
“You know…the will? Did you get anything good? Everyone’s certain he left you something good, which is why you were in there alone.” Chad’s face lit with excitement. I could feel it, this visceral thing between us, and I realized at that moment that he didn’t actually care about me. Just like my parents. Just like all of Arthur’s ex-wives. I stared hollowly up at Chad.
“Nope, nothing good. Nothing but a heap of bricks in Scotland. It was more of a charming memory for Arthur than anything. I’ll visit it one day and take a picture there.”
“He left you a ruin? What’s the point? What about this place?” Chad looked around at the well-appointed lounge area.
“Did I stutter, Chad? Was I not clear?” I asked, being sharp with him for the first time ever. He took a step back, raising his hands in the air.
“Whoa, Soph. I was just curious.”
“Curious to see if he left me loads of money? And now that he hasn’t? What will you do?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest, not caring if I was using my loud voice. In fact, my loud voice felt pretty good right about now. “Well, Chad? Is that what you wanted to know? Do you have your answers now? He left me nothing except my job as a brand manager. Do you still want me now?” The room had gone silent at my outburst, and I heard the creak of the dining room door opening behind me.
“I don’t like this side of you, Sophie. Here I’ve been supportive of you at your uncle’s funeral, and you treat me like this? I’ve got better places to be.” Chad sneered, his mask dropping, his disdain clear. Without another word, he turned and stomped away.
Without looking back, though I knew Lottie was right behind me, I spoke.
“Tell Harold to arrange the flight.”
CHAPTERFOUR
