Total pages in book: 150
Estimated words: 151430 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151430 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
Paige laughs.
It’s the first time I’ve seen her smile today.
“Beatrice Nightingale Brandt takes afternoon tea? That’s so cool. And I’m glad it means she must be doing okay.”
I smile.
“It’s not just for fun. She uses teatime for big decisions or family meetings. It’s been that way since I grew up. Anyway, when Nick and I showed up, she didn’t mince words. She told us she was done.” I pause, shaking my head in disbelief. “We didn’t believe her at first, but the blow to her health meant the time for jokes was over. She’s decided it’s time to pass the torch, this time for real. She wants us to take over, full time. She’ll help as needed from a distance since this is her dream project, and my grandfather’s legacy, but she needs her rest. No stress whatsoever, or else her ticker...”
I can’t finish. The thought of Grandma keeling over is still too visceral.
“It’s okay. You could’ve given me a heads up while you were in here downing scotch instead of waiting for me to read it in some email I had to revise,” she says with more softness than I deserve.
The summer sunlight spills in through the clouds and comes through my sprawling windows just then.
The angel’s back, and for a second, I feel downright stupid.
I’m the world’s biggest heel for mauling this saint with a sailor’s mouth.
“You knew before anyone else in the company, besides Nick,” I say slowly. “I didn’t want to talk about it. I don’t want to talk about it now, but it has to be dealt with.”
“You should have talked her out of it.” She leans forward, damning me as her pert tits pull together.
I’m not sure I’ll leave this office alive.
I manage a wry laugh. “Believe me, we tried. Even the tentative deal wouldn’t change her mind. Nick and I are ready to handle it, she insisted, and if it’s meant to be, it’ll happen. She’s always been a believer in fate, and still is, despite her new...limitations.”
“Limitations?” The word comes out of Paige’s pink lips as a whisper. “She’s not doing so hot then?”
I haven’t let myself think about what this heart problem really means for Grandma’s future.
“She’ll be fine,” I say firmly, smoothing my face. “She has the very best doctors behind her. She just needs plenty of rest.”
Paige nods and leans forward like she’s about to stand.
“Is that all you wanted to talk about?” I ask.
Somehow, having this kindhearted sprite of a woman in my office feels like a calm in the storm, and I’m not ready to let her go.
I just want a break from the darkness, the pain, the worry.
Just for a little while longer.
“I wish that was it, but...” She shakes her head, gold locks falling everywhere. “It’s like a funeral out there, Ward. We need to do something to boost morale besides order breakfast.”
“I’m not the type for big pep talks. Grandma promised a farewell speech. I hoped the food would perk people up.”
She crosses her arms. “It was a nice gesture. I’m just going to have to donate a lot of leftovers to the homeless shelter.”
She looks crushed. Defeated.
God. Why is this woman who’s only been with the company roughly a month so shattered by this?
I need to get my ass in high gear. I’m not letting my grandparents’ legacy fail, and I’m not letting Paige go under with the ship.
“Fine. We’ll call the staff together and let them know we have to see this deal through for my grandparents. They’ll rise to the occasion. Don’t worry.”
“I’m worrying,” she says, folding her arms tighter around her shoulders like a sudden chill in the air. “You think it will work?”
Slowly, I nod. “It will. Just having the Winthrope contract on lock and publicly announced will skyrocket our reputation. It’ll drive the company’s value up so hard there won’t be time for sulking.”
She bites her lips together, drawing my eyes like magnets.
“You think I’m on the wrong track?” I rumble, stirred by the nervous jitter in her jade eyes.
“Working people to death might not be the best happy pill. Before the big announcement, everyone was complaining. Susan from HR said she had a dozen people on the verge of turning in their notices.”
“Shit.” I suck in a breath. “That might have been helpful to know earlier, Miss Holly.”
“Can we stick to Paige?” she snaps, locking eyes with mine.
Can we be that informal, without blowing ourselves up?
I give a curt nod.
“Sorry, I was just trying to help. I handled it because I didn’t want you or Nick to have more on your plates.”
“Paige, I need you to be straight with me. Always. You’ve got your finger on the pulse of this company in a way I don’t. You know, Wardhole and all.” I pause, relishing how she smiles. “But thank you for the thoughts. Working people into their graves might not build morale, but having an inspiring vision that gets results will. It helps people understand what they’re working for, beyond money and busywork, and success is a great motivator.”