Morgan laughs. “What about it? Isthisexcessive?” She waves a hand at the ocean view. “We can leave if you want.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I mutter, hoping she doesn’t notice the color rising to my cheeks. But between the wine and Morgan’s look of challenge, I go on. “I mean more like… the private jet. Do you really need one to yourself?”
“I’m sharing it with you, aren’t I?”
I keep looking at Morgan like she hasn’t said anything yet.
She holds me in a stare.
I don’t back down.
A smile pulls at her lips. She says, “My time is the most valuable asset Artemis has. The jet is an investment in keepingas much of my time as possible dedicated to the business. While others are waiting at baggage claim, I’m securing acquisition deals.”
“And the suites?”
“Research shows that high ceilings encourage more creative thinking. The outward space encourages inward expansiveness. Artemis needs my creative thinking.”
“You could just go for a walk outside.”
“And relinquish my precious attention to distractions and disruptions? I think not.”
“Other people go for walks.”
“Other people don’t have the sense of smell we do, the sharpness of vision.”
“And I suppose that’s your excuse for all the extravagant dining? And the fine wine? Your super-sensitive palate can’t handle plebeian food?”
Morgan shrugs lightly. “See, it’s really quite obvious.”
I huff. “How do you—how do youknowyour time is the most valuable asset? How do you know that—that taking all those things out of your life isn’t… missing something important?”
“The Artemis stock price proves it’s a sound investment.”
“But what if life is more than a stock price?!”
Morgan chuckles. “Jamie, do you feelbadfor me?”
“You don’t even watch TV,” I half-whine. “And you’re lonely enough to cart me around.”
“Oh, I’mlonely?That’swhy you’re here?” There’s an edge in her tone.
I squirm a little. Shit, I didn’t mean to say that out loud. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like—just—well—everyone gets lonely, right? Why… why else would I be here?”
“Why elsewouldyou be here?” Morgan asks with a smile on her lips, but I don’t quite catch her meaning. ThePR campaign. Business. Networking. I don’t know. Maybe she’s telling me to stay on-track?
I sigh. “I know the whole ‘virtuous poor’ thing is a bit tired. But still, I feel a little guilty being somewhere like here when there are so many kids out there just… struggling to survive.”
“Name a charity, name an amount. I’ll make a donation.”
I roll my eyes. “Like you’re really going to donate a million dollars to ORC just because I said—”
Morgan pulls out her phone. “To be clear, that’s the Omega Resource Center?”
They got Mom and me out of a tough spot once, and they’re under-funded. “Yeah, but—”
Morgan spins her phone around and shows me a receipt. “Twenty thousand is the maximum amount I can wire instantly. The remaining nine hundred and eighty thousand will be in their account within the week.”
I can’t quite breathe. My head is spinning. I should be grateful. I should be cheering. I’m nauseous.
