Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
A small laugh escapes me. “Thank you for the offer. I may take you up on that.”
“You know where to find me.” His brow scrunches. “You’ll get through this. A month isn’t forever.”
That’s true, but right now, it feels as though it is.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Jameson
“I’m taking Monique’s office, Jameson.”
I turn to see my brother standing behind me. If I cared about the glass desk and stellar view of the city that the office offers, I’d fight him for it. I’m content with any desk, and I lived in Manhattan long enough that I know what the city has to offer. I don’t need to glance out a window for a reminder of that.
“Fine,” I toss that one word back at Holden.
“Fine?” he repeats like he’s weighing the word to determine if it holds any honesty.
“Yeah, fine,” I repeat, prolonging this ridiculous exchange by a second too long.
“Good.” He nods. “Since you’ve been out of town for a few years, I’ll have someone bring you up to speed.”
As thrilling as that sounds, I’m not letting him off that easy. “You’ll bring me up to speed.”
He barks out a humorless laugh. “I’m not doing that.”
“You are,” I say evenly. “Grandmother wanted us to work together, so that starts now.”
I’d much rather have my fingernails pulled out with a set of pliers than sit in any office with him for more than two minutes, but I don’t trust him to appoint anyone to ‘bring me up to speed.’ Everyone who works at Carden Confectionaries is bound to be loyal to Holden. I witnessed that myself when I approached the reception desk thirty minutes ago. The guy manning it tossed me a smug look and whispered, “Look what the cat dragged in,” when he spotted me.
I didn’t take it to heart because he’s still stuck working the same position he was when I bailed on this place.
“You’re serious?” Holden asks with a perk of his left eyebrow.
“Deadly,” I snap back. “I’ll be in your office in an hour.”
Holden glances down the long corridor that leads to both of our offices. Every high-ranking executive in the company works on this floor. I called an office around the corner my corporate home for years when I was the head of the sales department. It was a stone’s throw away from Denia’s office. She chose one of the smaller ones because my grandfather had mentioned it was his favorite at one time. That was back in the day when they ran the company together. They were equal partners in business and life.
“Two hours.” Holden glances at his watch. “Give me two hours, Jameson.”
If he needs an extra sixty minutes to prepare, I won’t complain. “All right.”
He turns toward the corridor, but suddenly glances over his shoulder at me. “I fucking hate this. You know that, right?”
I adjust the tie around my neck. I’m wearing the same suit I wore to Dwight’s wedding. Since I had no idea I’d be staying in Manhattan, I need to hit up the Berdine shop later today to order a few essentials, including several tailored suits, shirts, some ties, and a more comfortable pair of shoes than the ones I’m wearing.
Ironically, it was Holden who took me to the high-end clothing store years ago. I was impressed when we walked into Berdine, and the entire staff knew him by name.
I hold my brother’s gaze with mine. “I wouldn’t have chosen this either, but Grandmother wanted it this way, so get used to it.”
With a brisk shake of his head, he sets off down the corridor.
Once he’s out of view, I close my eyes and tilt my head back. “I know you had your reasons, Grandmother. I have no fucking clue what they are, but this is a hoop I’ll jump through for you.”
I open my eyes and glance around, thankful no one else is in sight.
I can’t blame any of them. Once word got around the company that my brother and I would be acting as co-CEOs, people realized the smart thing to do was to hide in their offices until the initial tension dies down.
I don’t know if that’ll happen, but I want my stake in this company, so I’ll do what I need to do to get through the next year working side-by-side with Holden.
“You’re still alive.” Kalon smiles when he approaches me on the sidewalk.
I laugh. “Don’t tell me you doubted whether I could hold my own against my brother.”
“I have five brothers,” he reminds me. “I know how hard it can be not to drive a fist into one of their jaws on any random day.”
I slap his shoulder. “This is why we’re still friends. You get me.”
“I get you?” he repeats. “I get that you need more than one suit. That’s why I’m tagging along on this little shopping expedition. You need advice on what cuts it in the boardroom these days, James.”