Page 96 of Lorcan's Obsession

"Hi, Dad, you’re on speaker. Tristen is here with me. She’s discovered the discrepancy from Gremco’s end."

"What a marvelous girl! How are you, my darling? We should switch to video so I can meet you properly.”

My eyes rounded. Dad was not the kind of man to bestow such hearty compliments. I mouthed to Tristen, What have you done to him?

Tris rolled her eyes, grabbing the phone from my hand and going to the couch. “It’s very nice to finally meet you, Arlen.”

“Likewise, my dear. I’ve heard so much about you from my boys. And I can say my son is the luckiest human in the world.”

Tristen blushed, but didn't face me even once to validate her admittance. Once pleasantries were out of the way, they got down to brass tacks.

“You think if we change our strategy tomorrow it will work?” my dad asked.

"I believe so, Arlen. The foundation of their entire case is based on your refusal of the new pricing and opting out of the contractual agreement."

"Not my refusal, my son's."

I scoffed and folded my arms across my chest.

"I have to object to that, Arlen,” Tristen said. “Lorcan represents the company, which you are a part of. You share in his successes or failures; we don't get to pick when we stand by him. The support will be different based on the circumstance, but it should always be there and he should know he has it."

Woah. Did she just say that to my father? Why hadn’t I met this woman sooner?

My dad chuckled on the other end of the line. "You are saying that because you are in love with him."

"Come now, Arlen. It's more than that, and you know it."

I stopped breathing. Tristen didn’t deny his claim. Did that mean she was in love with me?

"Perhaps, but that boy’s stubbornness is simply unbearable," my dad retorted. But this time, his words were laced with humor.

"He calls it unyielding persistence!" Tristen's eyes lit up. A warm smile graced her full lips and calmed my racing heart about the unfortunate events tonight.

"Hey! I'm still here!" I spread my arms wide open.

"We know!" they answered together, falling into a bout of laughter at my expense.

I scowled and pretended to sulk, but inside, I was grinning from ear to ear. Dad getting along with the girl of my dreams? Maybe this night was turning around after all. Tristen smiled and laughed as she chatted with my father, and I crossed my fingers her good mood would rub off on our little predicament afterward.

My jaw dropped when Dad invited Tris to visit during the summer and answered that she had to discuss it with me first. My lucky stars were on fire this evening. If a visit during the summer was on the table, then Tris must be open to the idea of us lasting that long. I leaned back on the couch, a dopey grin on my face.

Hot damn!

My dad added Schaffer, his lawyer and trusted advisor from the States, to the call. Together, the three went over the legalities, and Tristen agreed to attend the trial the next day. Once the call wrapped up—with more displays of cordiality than I had ever seen my father display— Tristen returned to her desk, and I trailed along like a helpless puppy.

“Thank you for helping, and agreeing to come tomorrow.”

“Don’t thank me yet. We still have to win.”

“I know, but your plan is solid.”

"Yes, it is. I’m gonna run it by Fayed for an extra set of eyes on this.”

She might as well have grabbed my balls in a vice and twisted them painfully for added measure. How many more shitty turns could this night take?

"Is it really necessary to call him?"

"Absolutely. His insight on contractual law is invaluable."

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