Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29423 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29423 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Finally, Aunt Gia leads us into dinner.
“I had meant for the two of you to sit across from each other,” she says, pointing to two chairs on either side of the table.
“That won’t be necessary,” Cal says and sits me down next to him. “Karen can sit in my chair. Karen’s head of marketing for our global company corporation. Harlow works at an ad agency as a junior creative.”
I almost choke on my water. Shit, I didn’t realize I’d have to fake my job credentials at this dinner.
Karen is a tall blonde who looks like she walks the runway instead of working in an office. Her dress is dark green and form-fitting with ruching on the shoulder and waist. Her jewelry consists of a simple diamond pendant and matching earrings. A tennis bracelet circles one wrist and a diamond encrusted watch. Her style is beautiful but subtle. On top of that, she has a warm smile.
“Tell me what kind of campaigns you worked on.”
I try to respond normally despite my insides roiling. “We're rolling out a new consumer product right now, and we just finished up an eco-friendly laundry scent pods campaign.”
“Very diverse.” She nods approvingly. The conversation pauses as the waiters, actual waiters, bring in salads and soup for everyone. “When did you start?”
“I'm a new hire so I just moved out of probation into a permanent position.” I’m sick to my stomach with the lying but what can I do?
“If you ever get bored where are you working, please come see me. We fully approve of nepotism in the Line family. After all, what good is it to have a family business if you can’t hire your friends and relatives. By the way, Cal, I heard you were looking into acquiring a few ad agencies. Whatever happened to that?”
“I’m buying one and passed on the other. The client book was solid, but Trident said that there are a lot of underlying personnel issues. It’s having unusually high turnover. The clients will eventually leave, so there’s no need to buy it,” he answers.
These conversations are very different than the ones I have with Ariel. We talk about awful bosses, the changing menu at the local coffee shop, and how we love the new Dior purse but wouldn’t ever be able to buy it. These people talk about trading companies like you’d exchange gift cards. Despite the expensive dress, I don’t really fit in here.
“When do you think the wedding will be?” Aunt Gia interrupts.
“I was thinking next week,” Cal answers. Aunt Gia’s silverware drops onto her porcelain plate with a loud clatter.
“You can't be serious.”
“We haven't really discussed timing, but I'd like it sooner rather than later. We can always have a large party after the marriage license is filed.”
“There are so many details to take care of, lawyers to consult, for example,” Aunt Gia protests.
“Since I don't plan on divorcing Harlow, there’s no reason for one. You aren’t going to abandon me, are you?” He turns to me.
I shake my head because the only thing keeping me upright at this point is the possibility that he’s really into me. I want this to be true even if it’s the height of stupidity to believe in him.
“There. No divorces. Even if Harlow would want to get rid of me, it wouldn’t be possible. I’d stick to her like an annoying fly.”
“Flies only live twenty-four hours,” Karen supplies unhelpfully.
“I’m a magical fly. I regenerate every night.” He winks at me, and a semi-hysterical cackle escapes my mouth.
Cal’s playful expression turns to worry, and the small amount of soup I just ate threatens to come up next.
“Excuse me,” I croak. I get to my feet. Karen points toward a doorway, hopefully leading me to the bathroom and not the exit door. Or maybe I should just leave. I stand just outside the dining room; the murmur of voices, the tinkling of dishes, and the realization that I am batting outside of my league sets in. My phone pings. I pull the device from my pocket and read the message. It is accompanied by a photo of Mindy and a man, smiling into the camera.
Look who I ran into. Rick Fellows. He had an interesting story. He said he was almost hired to pretend to be some girl’s fiancé so the girl could get the board’s approval for the title transfer of an apartment she inherited from her grandma. And you know what? He thinks the apartment was at The Grand! I can’t wait to share this story with Gertie and the board.
My phone falls to the floor.
Chapter Sixteen
CAL
“I’m going to make sure that Harlow doesn’t get lost, Aunt Gia. I’ll be back shortly.”
“The food will be cold,” she scolds.
“Put our plates in a warming drawer,” I tell Nelson.
There is no one in the hallway. I jog down to the bathroom, but that too is empty. Nelson passes me on my way toward the dining room. I snag him. “Have you seen Harlow?”