Page 21 of A Daddy to Love

Now, with no laptop and clueless as to all the discussions, I grew quickly uncomfortable in my chair. This was an investment. The rest should take care of itself. And yet, I had the money and the major holdings. Why did it have to be so complicated? I never wanted to be a company guy, to be responsible for things that bored me. I was more an arts and humanities type.

I kept scratching at little itches that nerves brought on. I squirmed in my seat. I glanced at my phone every five minutes. Time slogged and sometimes seemed to be running backwards.

5 o’clock passed. Then 5:30. Six. I should have been with Truce now, starting our dinner date. I still couldn’t believe it. Truce wanted me. Little ol’ me.

During a short break for bathrooms and coffee or water, I leaned toward Richard.

“When do we sign? I have plans.”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you? We’re signing during dessert and coffee after dinner. It’s all planned. The restaurant even has gifts for all. To celebrate the night and finish with a flourish.”

“What?” My throat closed.

“Yes. As soon as we smooth out these last wrinkles to the final contract. That’s why the lawyers are here.”

“But I can’t go to the dinner.”

“Of course you’re going. You have to be there to sign.”

“Can’t I sign in advance? I made other plans.”

Richard’s eyes darkened. “You knew tonight was important. I told you over the phone. I thought you’d cancelled those plans.”

I bumped my head into the back of the chair. “I delayed my plans. I thought it would only be an extra hour at most and I didn’t expect to be forced to attend the dinner.”

Frowning, Richard said with fake politeness, “Think again.”

I stood up. “I’m not staying. I have somewhere else to be.”

Richard stood with me, placing his hand on my forearm. “If you leave now, everything will fall through. After all this work. It’s been planned for months. All the motions are in place not just for us but for them as well.”

“I just—” Months? I didn’t want to freak out, but I wasn’t used to being forced into things. Money could delay. Money could decide when and where. I had not paid attention. And now I had no strength behind my protest. “Can’t I sign ahead? I trust you to figure it all out the way it should be. I can just put my name on the dotted line.”

“No plan can be more important than this night. This company was your grandfather’s dream. You want to see it continue, right? To flourish?”

I pulled my arm away from his touch and bowed my head. “Yes.”

But why did it have to include my presence? Why couldn’t it run itself with all the people my money paid to do that sort of thing?

“Kairo, you have to stay. We’re almost finished here and then we can all meet at the restaurant. By 6:30. 7 at the latest. Dinner might be a couple hours. Can you handle that?”

Slowly, I nodded. I sat down and opened my phone. While I texted, Richard brought me fresh coffee and a cold bottle of water. That looked like preparing for the long haul to me, but I hoped for the best.

I probably can’t make it until maybe 9:30.

Immediately, a reply appeared as if he’d been staring at his phone and waiting.

Okay. Thank you for letting me know. Will you still be hungry?

I wanted to be honest but I didn’t want to disappoint him.

Probably not. Maybe. Sorry for all this. I forgot and now this is running late.

If you’re not sure of the time, why not just come by my house? If you’re comfortable with that. I’ll have finger foods. How’s that?

Do you still want to see me?

Of course I do! No matter how late.