“Mother, that’s ridiculous. I’m sure we can find them a place. It’s their company as well as mine.”
“I don’t have time for this right now. I have a meeting with Atlas Financial. Now you and Kyle go over the deal, and let me know as soon as you can. I don’t want to leave this prize hanging for someone else to scoop it up.”
“Don’t worry, Margery. André and I will put our heads together and work as closely as we can,” Kyle called out from across the deck, and André glared.
“We’re going home tonight. Kyle can email me the paperwork, and I’ll look at it. But this is supposed to be my time off with Chess. The two of us. I came home to relax, not to work.”
“It’s okay, babe.” Chess kissed his cheek. “I’m fine with staying here. Why should we leave? It’s gorgeous. You do what you have to do. It can’t take all day, and we’ll still have plenty of time to be with each other.” His eyes danced. “Meanwhile, I can start planning our wedding. I’m sure Spencer will be happy to help me.”
“Lord help you.” With the weight of Chess’s strange behavior lifted from his shoulders, André pressed a kiss to his lips and picked up his phone. “Okay, Mother. You won. This time. I’ll work through the contracts, but don’t make this a habit. If you need to find someone else to manage the day-to-day control, I’m happy to help lead the search. But I won’t be a slave to the company. No more.”
“So you’re willing to let everything your father and I worked so hard to achieve slip away.”
“Do not put a guilt trip on me. I’ve given my life to this company for the past fifteen years. I’m entitled to take a break. I know we have eminently qualified people to keep the company running steadily. But, if you’re that upset with me stepping aside temporarily, I can walk away completely with no regrets.” His chest tightened, knowing how his words hurt his mother, but he needed to assert his independence and take back his life. “Remember what I said before I left—when is enough, enough?”
“It’s so hard without your father here. I miss him.”
André’s heart hurt for her. His parents had been inseparable—they’d done everything together, and when his father died, his mother lost her other half and found solace in immersing herself in the company. He didn’t want that for himself and Chess.
“I know. I miss him too. But it’s not healthy to live for your work. There’s more to life than balance sheets and earnings.”
“I promise to stop pushing you and to be satisfied with what you’re willing to give. Call me later, after you and Kyle go over the contracts, and give me your opinion.”
“Will do. Bye.”
“Good-bye.”
When he hit the button to disconnect the call, Kyle rolled off the chaise. “Well, sweetheart, glad Margery backed me up. Shall we have our brekkie and then get to work?”
Ignoring him, André laced his fingers with Chess’s. “Breakfast? I know Dottie made thosepains au chocolatyou love. And there’s fresh fruit.”
“I can make us some waffles if you want. I spied fresh whipped cream in the fridge.”
“That sounds delicious.”
They left the deck, and Kyle scrambled after them. André ignored his attempt at chatter and set out the pastries as Chess poured out the batter Dottie had at the ready in the refrigerator, and within minutes the kitchen smelled of vanilla and cinnamon and the maple syrup Chess warmed on the stove. Kyle sat at the table with them, and André eyed him.
“Surely you don’t think Chess is going to cook for you. Thanks, love.” Chess slid a plate of waffles and fresh fruit topped with whipped cream in front of him.
“It’s all right, babe. I don’t mind.” Chess dropped a kiss on his head and gave a squeeze to his shoulders. “I’m a nice guy.”
“Better than nice.”
Kyle watched them without speaking, except to thank Chess when he was given his food, and they ate in relative silence. Finishing first, Kyle surprised him by taking his plate to the dishwasher.
“Thank you, Chess. André, I’ll get my laptop and meet you where?”
He didn’t buy Kyle’s wide-eyed innocence, but he had no reason to be snappish with the man. At least not now.
“Let’s sit outside by the pool.”
“Perfect. I’ll see you in fifteen to twenty.”
He left them, and André’s senses tingled. Something seemed off, but he couldn’t put his finger on what. Across the table, Chess finished his secondpain au chocolatand brushed his hands together.
“He got awfully quiet, all of a sudden.”
“Yes, and I’m wondering why.”
