Cal clears his throat. “Atlas wants someone from Merged on the board of that renewable firm they’re acquiring. Part of the advisory clause.”
“The clean energy company?” I ask, pushing the ginger curls and green eyes into the back of my mind. “The one whose vision is progressive, but the board smells like old money and older secrets?”
“Vireon, yep. They made some changes recently,” Corm says, drumming his fingers on the armrests. “They specifically want one of us. Someone who understands scale, and can talk to the West Coast crowd without sounding like a Wall Street bulldozer.”
“So not you,” Roxy chirps.
He glowers and then focuses on Cal, who looks at me.
“Folks at Atlas like you,” Cal says and pauses,studying my reaction. “And your name still carries weight in that city,” he adds.
Caleb and I met at Wharton, and I was the one who recruited him to join Merged. He’s also the only person in the room who has an inkling about my relationship with my father.
Other than Roxy, who’s been fielding his calls lately and knows for a fact I never call back.
“Only because half the city still hates my name,” I mutter.
Roxy snorts from the corner. “I’d say more than half if we count all the ladies who mourn your departure.”
Declan makes a dismissive sound. “Your father is on the board of three of their partner firms. He could open doors.”
The air shifts. Just slightly. I crack my neck. “He could,” I say smoothly.
Cal glances at me, his gaze not sharp, but measured. Like he’s weighing something and already doesn’t like the answer.
My heart rate speeds up just at the idea of that phone call.Hey, Dad, yeah, I ignored your calls for months, but now I need your help, so I’m finally calling back.Fuck.
I can avoid that by explaining to themen in this room that my relationship with my family is on shaky ground—the understatement of the century.
But the mistake I made back home was the last mistake I’ll ever make. My last loss. I promised that to myself, and I delivered on that promise thus far, bringing in win after win for this firm.
And that’s what is going to happen. I will figure it out. Roxy isn’t as subtle as Cal, studying me with raised eyebrows.
I look away. “We’ll need someone out there frequently at first. Enough to attend the quarterly and smooth the transition. It’s a good look for Merged if we show up committed.”
Corm snorts. “Funny. Xander Stone talking about commitment. I thought you were allergic to the concept.”
I shrug. “I’ve been committed to giving you a stroke for months. Feels like I’m close.”
Declan grunts impatiently. “Xander has been committed to this firm.” He turns from his brother to me. “You’re our best option.”
I nod. “Sure. I’ll talk to my father.”
The lie passes through my throat, followed by a lump clogging it. I avoid Cal and Roxy’s eyes at all costs for the rest of the meeting.
To be honest, I kind of miss most of what’sdiscussed because my mind wanders. My mind never fucking wanders. It’s ultra-sharp.
Today, it oscillates between my father, the San Francisco deal I can’t fuck up, and back to my father. Round and round we fucking go.
The loud circus in my head is only interrupted by a certain foxy bistro owner.
“Okay, let’s break up this party. Since my wife will be at home after all, I’m out of here.” Corm snatches his phone and leaves us in his office.
“This is the proof that marriage should be avoided at all costs.” Roxy stands up, jabbing her pen into her dreadlock bun.
“Don’t dismiss what you haven’t tried.” Cal also stands up, but he lingers.
“Okay, I’m out of here, too. Roxy, send us the minutes. Thanks.” Declan leaves.
