Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 60131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Will you schedule a new interview?
I’m on it…
Fuck.
I stared out my office window, hating that the pain in my chest was getting worse every day. No matter how many Tylenol I swallowed or how many extra hours of sleep I claimed, the emotional agony never ceased.
“Ladies and gentlemen, if you look in this room, you will see one of the rarest species in Manhattan.” Brian stepped into my office, holding up his phone.
“He’s a forty-five-year old billionaire with the world at his fingertips, but he is dejected, sad, and he looks like utter shit.”
“Get out and let me eat my breakfast in peace.”
“He’s showing us a glimpse of aggression, but he’s all bark and no bite,” he continued. “He lost his alpha male edge weeks ago.”
“Don’t make me call security up here, Brian.”
“Who do you think sent me up here to check on you?” He laughed, shutting the door. There’s a rumor floating around that you’re not the real Mr. Dawson.”
I pushed my food away; I couldn’t’ even pretend to have an appetite.
“Half the staff thinks you’ve been replaced by a mindless clone, and the other half is convinced the cursed basement ghosts have infiltrated your brain.”
“Please tell me you’re not serious.”
“If you must know, I’m on Team Clone.” He picked up my açaí bowl and stole my spoon. “I haven’t seen you actually eat in a while.”
“Because you keep bothering me with bullshit.”
“What’s my middle name, Clone?”
“I can’t believe this…”
“Where did we vacation together?”
“Greece.”
“What’s our safe word?”
“Our what?”
“Act like you didn’t hear that one.” He waved it away. “What’s my favorite cigar blend?”
“Padron 1926.”
“If I call you late at night and tell you I have a flat tire, what do I mean?”
“Your mom is about to call and ask where you are.”
“Hmmmm. Do you care if I eat your entire açaí bowl?”
“Go ahead. Shut the door on your way out, then tell security they’re fired if they pull this stunt again.”
“Ah, there’s the asshole I know.” He smiled. “I’ll do that.”
“Hey, wait a second.”
“Yeah?”
“Do I really look like shit?”
“Let’s see.” He opened the door. “You’re wearing a wrinkled ‘Best Dad Ever’ sweatshirt with jeans, and you literally just got to work.”
“So?”
“It’s five o’ clock in the afternoon, Pierce.” He stepped into the hallway and lowered his voice. “Okay, yeah. He’s definitely a clone…”
—
Too many lonely nights later
FORTY-EIGHT
PIERCE
“Mama called the doctor and the doctor said…No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”
Harlow’s voice floated down the hall, followed by the twins’ laughter.
What the…
“You want me to sing it one more time, Charlotte?” She laughed. “What about you, William?”
They giggled louder, and I stood up from my desk. I wasn’t sure how she managed to sneak into my condo since every person on my staff knew better, but I wasn’t paying her a dime for this unwanted visit.
“Five little monkeys jumping on the bed. One fell off and bumped his head…”
I peered through their bedroom door, ready to tell Harlow to leave, but she wasn’t there.
Olivia was playing a video of her via cell phone, and the twins were entranced.
I stood there watching them for what felt like forever—hearing them beg “More! More!” for incessant replays.
After their eighth request, I forced myself to step back.
“Something wrong, Mr. Dawson?” Jerry asked from behind.
“No, I’m fine.”
“You have a visitor downstairs.”
“Is it Harlow?”
“Who?”
“I mean, is it an embargo?” I tried to save face. “I’ve been expecting a huge delivery of mockups for the Jets’ throwback uniforms. Remember?”
“No.” He knew I was full of shit. “I’ve told this person time and time again to stop showing up, but he refuses. I’ve had the police issue a trespass warning twice, but I believe it’s best if you speak to him and let me know how to address it moving forward.”
“Can you ask Samantha to watch the kids while I’m gone?”
“She’s already in the kitchen making their bedtime snacks.”
“Thanks,” I said. “Is the visitor in the lobby or the lounge room?”
“Neither. I kept him outside in the cold.” He shrugged. “You’ll need your coat.”
I pulled one from the hallway closet and rode the elevator downstairs. Through the windows, a man in a brown wool coat paced the entryway.
The badge on his front pocket read, “New York Commercial Insurance.”
Jerry sent me down here for a sales pitch?
“I have insurance on all my properties already,” I said, joining the man in the cold. “I’m hosting a business fair at the Barclays Center next month, though.”
The man stopped pacing and stared at me.
“Since you’ve been so determined to talk to me, I’ll give you a couple of discounted tickets.” I pulled a business card from my pocket. “This is my business partner, Denise. Call her tomorrow and tell her what I said.”
He didn’t move to take the card.
He remained frozen, not even blinking.
I looked over my shoulder to make sure security was within reach. I spotted two guards eyeing us from a town car and another watching from the corner.