Then in true Manhattan CEO style, he slaps on a smile, and holds out his hand. “Yes, I’m Max. And I’m going to take a wild guess that you must be Archie Banks, the man behind the legend. My brother and cousin are lucky to have you interested in working with them.” He catches my eye. “And they’d be mad to let you slip through their fingers. I’ll leave you guys to it.”
Max twitches his eyebrows at Elliot, as if to say, “Don’t let Owen fuck this up because of a girl,” as he turns and disappears into the crowd.
He’s right, of course. We are lucky a man of Archie’s wealth and standing would consider investing in us. Even if it’s only because he wants to give the impression his company cares about children. That’s how business works, right?
But it’s like I’m being ripped in half.
All I want to do is run after Summer, gather her in my arms, and tell her everything will be okay.
But one look at Elliot, who was my lifeline and saved my sanity when I was a teenager, and I’m reminded how much I owe him this shot at the cash that would change everything we’ve spent years working toward.
If there’s one thing Elliot hates, it’s the schmoozing side of things. He’d sooner give up fixing worn out computers than have to chat up someone for funding. And, man, he loves tinkering with that old crap more than anything—almost as much as he loves whatever that video game is he plays all the time.
I can’t run off and leave him here alone to deal with this—that would be cruel and selfish.
This is like being between a rock and two hard places.
So, as much as my heart breaks for how hurt I know Summer must be, I glue my feet to the spot. Wrapping myself around her and making it right will have to wait till after I’ve dealt with this.
I take a deep breath and force a smile. “Okay, we’ve set up our presentation in the study. If you’re ready to hear our pitch, let’s step away from the revelry for a few minutes.”
“Well, I’d love to stay here and admire the scenery.” Archie turns and looks at the backside of a woman who’s wearing a tight red dress. “But I guess I should get down to the business of hearing how you think you can use my money to make me plenty more.”
I lead the way through the gaggle of guests and out into the foyer. A blur of movement on the landing catches my eye, and I look up in time to catch Summer striding toward the guest room.
An explosion of heat erupts inside me. Fuck this, I have to go after her right now.
I’ve taken one step toward the stairs when Elliot’s voice comes from the doorway to the study. “Owen?”
I hadn’t even noticed him overtake me. I shift my gaze from where Summer just was, to Elliot who’s rooted to the spot and staring at me.
Jesus, it’s like my arms are tied to dump trucks pulling in opposite directions.
But Elliot has brought me back to reality. I have to snap out of it and keep myself together for enough time to pitch. I can sort it all out with Summer afterwards.
“Sorry, yes. I’m coming.”
And I turn away from the direction that would take me to Summer, and walk toward the business meeting.
26
OWEN
Istep inside the study as Archie sinks into the brown leather Chesterfield sofa and pulls a cigar and a lighter from his inside pocket. He puts the cigar between his lips without it seeming to cross his mind to ask if it’s okay to smoke in the house.
Elliot narrows his eyes. “Erm. This place is all freshly decorated. I don’t think my mom would—”
“It’s okay, Elliot,” I tell him.
My mind shoots back to when I was fourteen and would sit in the public library to use the computers to chat with him every day. And how our talk of going to MIT together and starting a business seemed like an impossible dream. But it was a dream that got me through those days and helped me believe I could create a life entirely the opposite of my parents’. The tech hubs Archie might help us create could be the same lifeline for other kids.
I need to focus on the greater purpose here, and just get through it.
“Open a window,” I tell Elliot. “We won’t be long.”
“There’s a good fellow,” Archie says, lighting his cigar and sucking on the end until he blows out a cloud of white smoke.
What an obnoxious, entitled asshat.
