Page 34 of Myself

“Yes.” I nod. “The lot isn’t wide enough to fit the number of rooms you want into twenty floors. In order to get the number you want, we had to go up.”

‘How much more is that gonna cost me?”

“It is going to be a little over what we discussed the other day but still in the range of your initial price.”

Ten minutes later, I’ve finished my meeting with Mr. Harrison, and I’m walking out of my office when I hear my cell ringing. I look down to see it’s Becca. “Hello, beautiful,” I answer.

“Hey, babe,” she says with a sigh.

I come to a stop. “You okay?” I ask softly

“Yes.” She lets out a long breath. “I just called my mother a bitch and stormed out of the restaurant, but you know what? I feel great.”

I smile. “Good for you.” I’m glad she is finally standing up for herself. I hope I’m helping her do that.

“Yeah. It ... felt good. Is that wrong?”

“No,” I say, shaking my head to myself. “There is nothing wrong with standing up for yourself.”

“I tried to be nice.” I can hear the turmoil in her voice. That maybe she thinks she did the wrong thing. “She asked me about my plans, and I don’t know why, but I told her about the store. She pretty much tore it to shreds. And I got defensive when she started talking about her store and how her name was not going to be on homeless people. Then she blamed it all on Ashlyn. I just couldn’t take it anymore.”

“You shouldn’t have had to take it at all,” I tell her.

“I know. It’s just I’m not used to that. I feel like sometimes it was just easier when I was away.”

My heart sinks at that statement. “Don’t say things like that.” Please don’t leave me again.

“Now all I can think of is that she’s gonna go open a store, just so I can’t.”

I snort. “Even if she did, you can still open yours. I’d go talk to your dad,” I tell her. I know him; he’s a businessman. He would see her side of the coin and understand she is trying to make a difference. And he would understand that giving would be better for the O’Kane name rather than making only expensive shit that her mother’s friends can afford.

“I may do that tomorrow,” she says.

“Did you eat anything?” I ask, trying to get her mind off her mother.

“Nope.”

“Want to meet for lunch?” I have a conference call in fifteen but then have an hour before my next meeting.

“That’s okay.” She sighs. “I’m gonna head home. Ashlyn was meeting Ryder for lunch, so she should be home soon.”

“Okay.” There’s a long pause before I speak again. “Remember, Becca; there’s nothing wrong with fighting for what you believe in. And just because your mother doesn’t believe in it doesn’t mean it’s not possible.”

“You always know just what to say,” she says, and I can hear that smile return.

“Years of practice,” I say jokingly.

She laughs. “Will I see you tonight?”

I smile. “Do you want to see me?”

“Yes,” she answers timidly.

“Then I’ll see you tonight.”

We hang up, and I spend an hour on a conference call with a man who wants a resort designed in Cozumel. Once that call is over, I make my way over to O’Kane’s investments. His building isn’t far from mine, so we often visit the other’s just to see what’s going on. Plus, we sometimes work together. They buy the property, and I design the buildings. It’s quite handy.

I get off the elevator, and Tim’s assistant that I know by Jessica is crying as she holds a box in front of her chest. Ryder’s assistant, Kelly, runs her hands up and down her upper arms as she speaks to her softly.

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