“Another mimosa, Miss?” The flight attendant held out a tray of sparkling flute glasses.
“Yes, please.”
“Someone is calling your phone.” She pointed at my lap. “Want to get that?”
“There’s no way I’m getting service at this altitude.”
“Answer it.” She smiled and served me an hors d’oeuvre.
“Okay.” I shrugged and held the phone up to my ear.
“Hello?” I said.
“Hello, Miss Sterling.” Mr. Hudson’s deep voice instantly ripped the first-class cabin away from me. “Where the hell are you?”
“I’m in bed.”
“Well, I’m not,” he said. “I haven’t been in bed since two this morning.”
“Oh, well, sorry…” I wasn’t sure why he was telling me that. “Are you having problems sleeping or something?”
“The resident leaders who don’t want to let me buy The Holden are hosting an early meeting at a Sweet Seasons café in Brooklyn.” His voice was terse. “That’s where you’re supposed to be, correct?”
“I…Maybe.” I paused. “But you just hired me yesterday.”
“Which means you starttoday.”
“Uh…no, it means?—”
“Do I need to withdraw the payment?”
“No, no.” I flipped off the covers. “I’ll get there.”
“Good.”
“Um, by chance, would you know which Sweet Seasons café? There are like six in Brooklyn, so?—”
He hung up in my face.
I stared at the phone for a full five seconds before groaning into my pillow.
Then I rolled out of bed and checked my bank account.
More than worth it, Chloe. More than worth it.
Changing into an olive-colored dress and heels, I made a few calls to locate the meeting.
Then I headed downstairs and to the subway, wondering how long it would take before I regretted every single penny from my new job.
THE CEO
DANTE
The words “New Yorkers Hate Dante Hudson” hung on a sparkling red banner inside the café.
From my car, I could see the same fifteen community leaders who seemed determined to block me every chance they could.
I refused to admit it, but I could stomach what they wrote about me online and wave off the nonsense they posted in my buildings’ lobbies. Seeing their hatred in person, though, made my blood boil in a way I couldn’t explain.
