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“Thanks.” He runs his knuckles over his lips again. “Reagan, we need this to look real. I’m sorry, but I can’t agree to it if you start telling people. We need them to react as if we’re falling in love and getting engaged. This has to stay between the two of us. I don’t see any other way for it to look authentic. My father is a lot of things, but stupid isn’t one of them.”
“I just don’t think I can do it. I’m sorry. I’m happy to try to brainstorm a different solution.”
He’s deep in thought again. “How about a trial run? I’ll meet your family as your date. If they buy it, we move forward with the plan. If they don’t, then we’re basically back to where we are right now.”
I’m quiet for a moment as I think. “Can you give me a minute? I need to take a call.”
“Of course. I can step outside.”
“You can stay. I’ll take this outside.”
I walk back to the front of the store. Jasmine notices that I’m alone. “Did you tire him out?”
I roll my eyes. “No. I need to make a call. I’ll be out front.” She nods.
I step outside and dial Jackson’s cell phone. “Hello, Reagan. This is a pleasant surprise.”
“Hey, Jackson. Sorry to bother you during the work day.”
“It’s no bother. What can I help you with?”
“Can you tell me about your interactions with the Daulton family, Carter in particular?”
“Are they still bothering you?”
“Yes.”
“That’s so odd. The old man, George, who started the company, was as solid as they come. He was good people. He and I had a long history together. I did business with him when I first started my company. He tragically died about twenty years ago. Carter wasn’t old enough to take over, so the business automatically went to Thomas. Thomas is, for lack of a better term, smarmy. I don’t trust him. We’re two of the biggest companies in Philadelphia, so our paths do occasionally have to cross, but I avoid doing business with him. He’s simply not trustworthy. I have no patience for men like him. I have had some limited interactions with Carter. He’s much more like George, not Thomas. He has a solid reputation and seems above board to me. He’ll eventually take over the company, and it’ll all be for the better. I’ll certainly be willing to do business with them again once Carter is at the helm.”
“Okay. Thanks for the info.”
“No problem. Have you met Carter? Is that why you’re asking?”
I know I need to choose my words carefully. “Yes, I crossed paths with him. He seems nice, and not overly fond of his father. I was just wondering how genuine that was.”
“It’s pretty well-known that Carter and Thomas don’t have a strong relationship.”
“Thanks, Jackson. I’ll see you on Sunday.”
“No problem. Call anytime. See you then.”
We hang up, and I head back to my office. Carter is looking at all my family photos when I walk in.
He smiles at me. I know I’ve seen that smile before. I can’t place it.
He points to the pictures. “Your family does so much together.”
I nod. “We do.” I sit back down in my chair. “Okay, Carter. We can attempt your trial run. I’m telling you, my family will see right through it, but if you want to learn the hard way, I’m willing to indulge you.”
He looks happy. “Try your best. That’s all I can ask. If we can make believers of them, my father should be a walk in the park.”
“I’ll give it a go. I suppose I have nothing to lose. My family does a big dinner every Sunday night. You can come this week. Be warned, no topic is off-limits. Also, my mom and Jackson are super touchy-feely. Prepare yourself for that. I always need to warn people beforehand. We’re sort of used to it by now, but it can be kind of shocking at first.”
He laughs. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen my parents so much as hold hands or kiss one another on the cheek.”
“That’s sad.”
“It is.”
