She could hardly protest when the man was sick. “It sounds like you’ve got what I had a week or so ago. I’m really sorry if I gave you my bug.”
“Hey, I’m the one who’s really sorry. Especially when I know you’ve gone to so much trouble to make sure that I can be there today.”
It had taken something of a miracle to get all six of them able to meet, and now it was only her and Eric and Geoff? Oh, she hoped that Eric did not think this was some sort of plan of hers to get him alone. She would much prefer the protection provided by the company of others. There was safety in numbers, and all that.
But then again, this was only a business deal, a business proposition. And Maurice was right—she knew the business inside and out, so at least it wasn’t her who couldn’t be here.
“It’s fine. I’m praying that you feel better soon.”
“Thanks.” He coughed. “Maybe you could see if Eric can change the day again, given we all can’t be there.”
“Change the day?” Again? “I don’t think he’ll be happy, especially at this late stage.” Nowaywould Eric be happy. “I’ll ask, but I don’t like my chances.”
He sighed. “Well, I’ll be praying that you’re safe and this goes the way it should.”
“Amen.”
He chuckled. “Be wise, okay?”
“Of course. I won’t go signing anything, but I will be putting my best foot forward.”
He coughed again. “How are you going to get there now?”
Oh. An excellent question. She could take a ferry, which would stop via Rose Bay; then she’d need to take a bus. Or she could Uber it. Neither of those options had much appeal. She wanted to look professional, hence the desire to take Jordan’s Audi. It might be a few years old, but it looked classy without being pretentious.
“I don’t know. But you don’t need to worry about it. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
“I know. I just want you to feel safe.”
Jordan was always so sweet to be concerned. “Whatever I do, I think I’m going to be a lot later than what I said, so I’m going to have to call him and explain.”
“Maybe he’ll be happy to do this another day,” he reminded her.
“Maybe.” Except given the amount of trouble it had taken to arrange this date, she wasn’t sure that would fly. “I’ll let you know. Anyway, I’d better go. And I’m so sorry you feel sick. I really hope I didn’t give it to you.”
“I don’t think you did. It’s flu season, so I guess it’s going around.”
“I’d better go. Take care of yourself, okay? Get some rest. And I’ll call you and let you know how it goes once it’s done.”
“I’ll be praying,” he said.
“Good. Because I have a feeling I’ll need it.”
A minute later, she was on a different call. It felt strange to have the phone number of one of the richest men in Australia.
Eric answered on the first ring. “EJ. Don’t tell me you’re calling to say you’re not coming.”
“No. But I’m afraid that it’s only me.”
A beat. “The others can’t come?”
“No.” She debated telling him the details but figured he probably didn’t really want to know. Except to say “Jordan is sick and figured you probably didn’t want to catch that from him.”
“Good of him. Well, in that case, I’ll tell Geoff not to bother either.”
Oh no. She didn’t want to lose this chance to talk about Dream Match! “Jordan wondered if you’d want to reschedule—”
His sigh stole her words. “You know this took a lot to arrange in the first place, EJ.”
