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“You’ll be lucky if there isn’t a warrant out for your arrest, if you get pulled over again.” A tight smile tells me he is in conflict. There’s warmth in his voice, though. “Please do not get another speeding ticket just because you’re excited about meeting your architectural idol. There’re only so many you can get before it becomes more serious.”
“Since when do you do the dirty work of nagging me on his behalf?”
“Since he named me CFO, and all I can do is think about the money it will cost the family when you get another ticket. Do me this one favor.”
“Fine.” I promise, “I will do my best. The truth is, I don’t want to do anything that would put the meeting back, including getting pulled over. Having Pavel Cerny design our resort is going to put it on the map. People will come from all around the world just to see his latest work. This will change everything for the MacMillan Corporation, Cormac.”
He sighs and smiles. “For Somerset Harbor, too. You’ve done well, Beau. You really have. I’m proud of you.”
“As much as I’d like to take all the credit…no, wait, I think I will.”
He snorts a laugh. “Asshole.”
“Of all the people in the world to say it, though, I want to hear it from Dad. That we took MacMillan Corp into the future with this design. That we are the future of the company, and not only because we’re his sons. But because we earned it.”
“I get that. But don’t be upset if he never says it outright. You know how tightlipped he can be with things like that.”
“Which is why I wanted Pavel in the first place. I want the resort to be so perfect that Dad can’t stop himself from saying it.”
He smiles. “I bet he will. You better—"
“Get going,” I tell him, nodding. “Right. But before I go, thank you again for getting the financials in order so quickly. Once I knew Pavel was available, I knew we had to snatch him up. So I am grateful for all your hard work. Dealing with the investors is not my idea of a good time.”
“What is your idea of a good time these days, Beau?”
I laugh. “You know, I’m not sure anymore. I’ve worked on this project for so long that I’m overdue.”
“Perhaps. Or perhaps you’ve banked enough good times over the years that you can live off the memories.”
“Absolutely not. When this is all over, I plan to go on adult Spring Break to celebrate.”
Cormac laughs. “What’s an adult Spring Break for you?”
“A toxic weekend in Vegas, followed by a week or two of detoxing in Sedona.”
“Sounds like you plan to let Vegas kick your ass.”
“You have it backward.”
He smirks. “I’m sure I do.”
I grab my briefcase and straighten my tie. “How do I look?”
“Nice suit. Is that black or navy? I can’t tell in this light.”
“Navy. Fresh from my tailor on Saville Row. I told you I can hook you up with Jones. He’s the best.”
“No need.” He chuckles. “I’m good. I can’t go spending Franny and Aiden’s college fund on clothes.”
As if he doesn’t have the money.“Very well. Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need it, but good luck, all the same. Uh, you sure you don’t want to borrow my SUV? Has to be a lot more comfortable than your little sports car for the drive.”
Leveling a look at him, I walk past without a word, dashing out of the offices, down the stairs, and out to my car. My baby. My Aston Martin DBS. Minotaur Green, which is almost black. I’d wanted the Scorpus Red, but talked myself out of it when I realized how easy it was to notice the color from a mile away. No need to stick out when it comes to cops and speeding. If I weren’t so concerned with presenting myself a certain way, I’d put the top down. But presentation is everything, and I cannot go into the meeting with windblown hair.
The sound system is custom, and I crank up a playlist of eighties hair metal bands. The drive to Manhattan is long enough. There’s no sense in not enjoying myself, though the urge to speed overcomes my urge not to annoy Cormac. I could tell myself it’s the music or the car that makes me speed, but that’s a lie. I’ve never been good at waiting for anything, including my destination. Back when I was a mere lonely nerd in high school, speeding was my chosen vice to deal with the pressure of maintaining my GPA. I hated waiting for graduation to have a real life, so speeding was a way to cope.
Thankfully, the Manhattan skyline comes into view before I rouse any trouble. It’s as though fate is trying to make up for giving me the wrong eye color by making the police overlook me today. It’s a sign. This meeting is the start of everything. Nothing will stand in my way.
