“You can send him in. Thanks, Rebecca.”
“You’re welcome, Mr. Haverbrook.” She gives me her sweet, sexy little smile and backs out.
I know for a fact that my assistant, Rebecca, would love to go on a date with me. She’s let me know in no uncertain terms that she’s willing to accept anything that I’d offer her, including a one-night stand. She’d love to go to the wedding with me as well, but there is no way I’d ever ask her. I sit there, holding my gold fountain pen in my hand, and watch as Johnson—my boss—walks in.
“Haverbrook,” he says.
“Good afternoon, sir.” I stand up. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, and no.” He closes the door behind him and looks around. He walks over and takes his seat in front of me. His bald head looks especially shiny today as he gazes at me sternly.
“We’ve got a problem.”
“Oh? Big problem? A small problem? A problem with me?”
“A problem for you. We’ve got a problem with the Equinox deal.”
My heart sinks. The Equinox deal is the largest deal our hedge fundhas ever been a part of. In fact, I’ve been working on it for the last year, and it’s set to close within the next couple of months. I know—and he knows—that if I make this deal happen, I will be the next equity partner. I will run this town. And that’s saying a lot.
“What’s up?”
“Burlington was at the Seminole Club the other evening, and he was having a conversation. I don’t know with who—it doesn’t matter. He was speaking with one of the waitstaff there, who overheard a conversation between TCO and Ricardo from the Equinox team.” He pauses. “And it looks like they may have another offer on the table.”
“But we have the best offer. They’ve already agreed to sign with us. They’ve already agreed to this merger. It’s the highest amount per share that they will get.”
“Apparently not. It looks like the Brazilians are now coming to the table with a huge offer.”
“The Brazilians?” I frown. “But I thought the Chinese were the only ones interested.”
“Turns out, the Chinese and the Brazilians have decided to work together. This could blow everything up. You do understand what I’m saying, Haverbrook?”
“Of course, sir.”
“I need you working on this night and day until it closes.”
“Of course.”
And then I remember Mia. And the wedding. And her desire for me to come a week early.
Shit.
“I will be out of town for two weeks, possibly before the deal closes. But I’ll be back in plenty of time.”
“This is not the time for you to be going on vacation, Haverbrook. Are you out of your mind?”
“My brother is getting married,” I say firmly. “I have to be there.”
“Not a good idea.”
“Johnson, how long have I worked here?”
“I don’t know. Multiple years.”
“Exactly. How many vacations have I taken in that time?”
“I don’t know.”
“Zero. How many days have I missed?”
