So that’s a no, he thought, pleased that he’d gotten to her. The more unsettled she was, the more likely it would be that she’d screw up later. “I’m having a hard time hearing you over this line. Perhaps we should get together and discuss this in person.”
“I’m not having you over to my house.”
“Well, I’m not exactly dying to go to the Aging Barbie Dreamhouse but you started this. And don’t even think about bypassing me to harass Jay, who will be coming along with me when I come to see you, by the way. She’ll tell me if you try to contact her.”
“Jay wouldn’t do that. She doesn’t like the way you talk to me. I’m still her mother.”
Nicholas laughed. “Youwereher mother. But I’m taking care of her now.”
“Yes, your father told me all about your sick little games before he died. But she didn’t want you—then or now. What makes you think she wouldn’t leave you the way everyone else did?”
And there it is, he thought.
“Because we’re getting married,” Nicholas said. “So either you set up an appointment with my secretary or I’ll be coming to see you on my own time—with my wife.”
He hung up on her outraged squawk, pleased. Now all he had to do was sit back and wait to see how she’d react. However she was earning her money now, he doubted it was legal. He could imagine her being in debt to dangerous men who were twisting her arm for cash.
But he could—and would—twist a whole lot harder.
Arthur had finally finished his meeting and whoever had foolishly tried to get his attention was nowhere in sight, so he seized the moment to head to his CFO’s office.
As he walked, he glanced down at the little administrative hub below the mezzanine where Jay was working busily. He felt a wave of jealousy. He missed her gentle touch. Ever since she’d been swapped over to Arthur, he’d started noticing the bumps in his schedule. Despite what Annica thought, his days had never felt as seamless as they had been when they’d been managed by Jay, and every time he’d had a meeting with her, the scent of her shampoo had left him feeling drunk.
He swung Arthur’s door closed behind him, the sound making the older man look up. His eyebrows bunched together briefly and then he smiled and pushed his laptop back.
“Nicholas. What can I do you for?”
“I came to ask you for a favor.”
Arthur’s smile faltered. “What kind of favor?”
“I want you to be a witness at my wedding.”
“At your—oh, yes, that’s right. You and Jay.” Arthur blinked at his laptop, as if surprised to find it closed. “Of course. I’d be happy to.”
Nicholas watched the other man straighten out his starched-looking cuffs and wondered if his wife did his shirts. He wondered if Jay would do his. The image of her leaning in as she knotted his tie popped into his head, bringing with it the phantom sensation of her fingers grazing his throat, and though he was not aware of it, his cheeks flushed.
“When is the wedding?” Arthur asked.
“Today.”
Arthur laughed. When Nicholas didn’t respond in kind, his smile dimmed again. “Today? That’s rather last-minute notice for a wedding.”
“It’s not exactly a wedding. It’s a civil ceremony. I’ve been in love with Jay since I was a kid.” Nicholas folded his arms behind his back. “She was too good for me then. She’s probably too good for me now. But I lost her once because I didn’t do right by her when I should have and I’m not making that mistake again. We’re getting married this afternoon.”
Arthur toyed with one of his expensive fountain pens. He’d been around at the company long enough that he’d still been working here when his father had been alive. Sometimes, like now, Nicholas found himself wondering how Arthur thought the two of them compared.
“She’s very worried about you,” Arthur said at length.
“I know.” He set his teeth. “I need to do this. Please.”
Arthur set down the pen. “I don’t see how I can refuse.”
“Thank you.” Nicholas headed for the door, darting another look at Jay. “I mean that.”
???????
Weddings were supposed to be the happiest day of your life.
