"I can't decide what I despise more. You calling me Coley, or that you're actually trying to give me sex advice. I'm thirty-seven years old."
"Yet, so boring!" Nora lamented. "I honestly don't know how you ended up this way after such a promising start with the almost-going-to-jail and all that. You'd think that old bad-boy energy would come out every once in a while between all the memos and stock reports. It really is so sad. But anyway, I can't wait to congratulate Sunny myself at the CEO of the Year awards tomorrow."
I squinted. "I wasn't planning on taking her to that."
"Whyever not?"
"I don't take dates to business events. You are aware of this."
"Sure, I know you don't takedatesto business events. But, of course, you'll make an exception for Sunny, her being your fiancée and all. Otherwise, how would I or any of the other attendees know this engagement you forced Sunny to quit her job over isn't just for show? I mean, Max is in town, and even he'll be attending, but your own fiancée won't?"
"Max is in town?" I stopped walking, sensing the implicit threat. "Why?"
"Oh, you know Max. Why he does anything, no one knows," Nora answered with a light laugh. "Anyway, dearie, should I call Levy & Sons to arrange that stock paperwork while Maxie's in town? Or shall I use this time to start planning an engagement party, where you officially announce you're marrying the granddaughter of my departed best friend? I have the last Sunday of March available."
That was the weekend before the board meeting. Nora's threat was becoming much less implicit.
"Fine, Sunny and I will see you at tomorrow's CEO of the Year event," I agreed.
Then I hung up without giving Nora a chance to say a smug goodbye. It was already hard enough hearing her plan parties and give me advice, as if I'd actually lost our chess game.
Goddamnit. Appearing to comply with Nora's marriage ultimatum had seemed like a good idea this morning when it occurred to me I could use the supposed engagement to buy myself time as I went about the tough business of ousting my grandmother from the board. However, this game was already becoming more complicated than I’d expected.
I'd reached the Benton Golf Club's outer doors, but instead of going inside, I called my assistant, Agnes.
"Yes, Mr. Benton?"
"Put in a call to Jacob Levy."
"Senior again?" she asked. "Would you like to arrange a follow-up round of golf?"
"No, Junior this time."
Jacob Levy Jr. was my personal lawyer, just as his father had served as my grandfather's personal lawyer for years. “Tell him I need to talk to him today—about some personal paperwork for Sunny Johnson."
"Oh."
We both knew whatpersonal paperworkwas code for, but Agnes was too much of a professional to ask why I'd gone from officially firing Sunny that morning to arranging a strict NDA contract for her.
"Right away, Mr. Benton," Agnes said. "Anything else?"
After a moment of consideration, I answered, "Yes. I'll also need her address…."
CHAPTER7
Sunny
On Friday morning,I had three jobs. By Friday afternoon, I only had two. And no idea what to do with myself until my graveyard shift started at the Tourmaline.
This was my life.
As I rode the bus home from the Benton, I hugely regretted selling my car in anticipation of relocating to New York. Not only was that big move no longer happening, but it meant I couldn't even pick up extra hours as a rideshare driver.
Meanwhile, Pru was practically blowing up my phone. My home screen had become a wall of texts and missed call notifications.
11:42
Rick just let us off for lunch before the second part of rehearsal.What the hell was that??? How are you engaged out of the blue???!!! Call me right now!!!
