“Yes, Ford has plenty of…friends.”Mr.Harden takes a bite of the chili and hesitates, tasting it.“And where did you find this recipe?”
“Online,” I lie.
“Reminds me of an employee’s recipe.”
Crap.Considering Ford’s the one who delivered said pot of chili to the event, it’s very possible it is an employee’s recipe.
Mr.Harden smacks his tongue against the roof of his mouth.“Delicious.”
Pulse thrumming, I force out, “Thank you.”
Mr.Harden dips his chin, then offers his hand to Bryan.“Thank you again for the invitation.”
Bryan shakes his hand with the enthusiasm of an elementary school kid meeting a superhero.“Thanks for coming.”
“Are you kidding?”With a smile, Mr.Harden lets go of Bryan’s hand.“I love supporting our local first responders.And you know, if you ever want to earn some extra cash so you can toss around thousands like my son, let me know,” he adds.“I’m sure I could drum up something to help you out.Our civil servants aren’t paid enough.”
Bryan’s eyes widen.“Uh, are you serious?Thank you.That’s…a very generous offer.”
Mr.Harden lets out a low chuckle and leans closer as if he’s sharing a secret.“Don’t tell anyone.After all, I have a reputation to maintain.”He winks, then stands to his full height.“If you ever need anything, let me know.”
“You, too,” Bryan returns.
As he leaves, Bryan faces me.“Do you think he’s serious?”
“About what?”I ask.
“About maybe helping me earn some extra cash.You know my family’s situation,” he adds with a somberness that kills me.He’s right.I do.Not the specifics, but enough to know his parents struggle to pay their bills every month, including his little sister’s dental cleaning.At first, I thought it was a simple accident before bringing it up to Bryan the other day, which is when I learned the truth.Honestly, the fact that Bryan bid on me at all during the auction after learning about his family’s financial situation was pretty much the biggest, sweetest gesture ever.
“I think that would be amazing, Bryan,” I murmur.
“Yeah.”He sighs.“Not going to get my hopes up, but it would be nice.”
“If you want me to put in a good word for you, I can,” I offer.“I mean, I do know a few of the Harden men.”
“Nah.”He shakes his head.“Like Mr.Harden said, he has a reputation to maintain.”A smirk plays at the edge of his lips.“And speaking of reputations, I’m sorry for talking out of my ass.”
I frown.“About what?”
“Well…” He squeezes the back of his neck shyly.“I’ve introduced you to a dozen people today, and I never stumbled over labels, but then Mr.Harden walked up and…I don’t know what happened.I guess I was starstruck or something.”
With a laugh, I cover my flaming cheeks.That’s what he took from this conversation?He feels bad about almost calling me his girlfriend before clarifying that I’m his…June?Talk about dodging a bullet.He could’ve zeroed in on the whole, this chili tastes like my employee’s, or are you sure you’re just friends with my youngest son?Yeah.There are a handful of options that would’ve been a disaster for Bryan to hold onto.If he wants to stick with the relationship label, I’m more than good with it.
I look up at him and grin.“Trust me, Bryan.We’re on the same page.”
Bending down, he kisses me again before pulling away and giving me a look that would make most girls giddy.“And that’s why you’re perfect for me.”
21
FORD
Despite my best intentions, I’m a sucker for the Mercer building.I blame my mother.She used to take my siblings and me to work with her when we were little.Not all the time.Only on the weekends when she had a tight deadline or when we had an appointment and needed to miss school.Sure, Doris, our nanny at the time, was happy to help out, but my mom was adamant that she be involved in as many of the day-to-day activities as possible.And weekends?It was all-hands-on-deck.I always loved her for that.For wanting to be present.To be at our games.Our tournaments.Our concerts.You name it, she was there, front and center.And even if work was a squeaky wheel during family time, she’d have us tag along and set up shop in one of the empty board rooms with a set of whiteboard markers or a deck of cards.
Yeah, those were the days.
With a sigh, I look around the spare office and flick off the light.Ever since attending the chili cook-off last week, everything feels like a fever dream.Between classes, a few late nights tracking down customers who owe us money or have fallen off the face of the Earth, and planning the next Harden Night, life has been busy as it is.Then, one of the board members reached out again.Asked if I was ready to take my position on the Board of Trustees.My mom left a seat for each of us long before she died.They each became available as soon as we turned eighteen, though we could wait until after graduating from HHU before assuming the seat.Obviously, my brothers and I agreed to the latter.And since Jagger signed on for his master’s, Hawke decided to take a light load, and I spent every semester taking extra credits, we’re set to graduate this spring despite our age differences.Still not sure how she managed to thwart my father on that one, but I’m not complaining.If he had it his way, he’d hold that shit over our heads, too.
Seems my exhaustion has finally caught up to me.Guess that’s what happens when inspiration strikes.Tomorrow night, it’ll finally come to fruition.I cover my yawn with the back of my hand.Invitations have been sent.Gus has been informed.We should be good to go for our first real Harden event since Jagger’s fight with Ethan.Part of me wishes I could’ve gotten everything off the ground a little faster, but masterpieces take time, and I’ve been spending every waking minute when I’m not in class trying to get everything into place.Now that it’s finally here, I can say with confidence that it’s going to be one for the books, as long as Morgan doesn’t fuck it up.
