My father’s smile fell quickly as he took a healthy gulp of his drink.When the glass hit the table, he rolled his neck from side to side.“I’m ready for this meeting to start.And to get some damn food in my stomach.”
“I ordered an appetizer or two already,” my mother purred.
“Great.Let’s cut to the chase.Jeffrey?”My father’s lips curled up in what looked like a genuine smile.Shocking.
Jeffrey retuned the smile, then looked over at me.“Cora, you brilliant next-gen businesswoman, you.I want you on my team.”
A shocked laugh fluttered out of me.“Why, Jeffrey, that’s so sweet of you—”
“Your coursework at Stanford puts you in a unique position to work in tandem with our company.But what I’m seeing on the horizon is bigger than just your regular collaboration.I want Margulis Realty to come along for the ride.Intospace, of course, but also into the boardroom.”
I nodded slowly, fragments from my initial phone conversation with my father floating back into my head.“Of course.”
“Imagine your father’s hotels on the moon.The first ever Margulis office building erected on Mars.When space tourism hits—which it will, andsoon—we need a social innovator on our side to help navigate the new terrain.”
It all sounded so wild, almost made up.But the kernel of opportunity there excited me.How could it not?“That sounds…incredible.”
“So you agree a merger would be brilliant.”Jeffrey’s smile was ear to ear as his gaze shifted from Eli to June.“Well, this makes my job a lot easier.”
“I can’t imagine a more ingenious next step than linking Margulis Realty with Rossberg Aerospace.I wish it had been my idea,” my father grumbled.
“Let’s say it was both of our ideas,” Jeffrey offered.“After all, our inspiration was right in front of us.”His eyes crinkled at the edges as he looked between Eli and me.“Though I guess I shouldn’t get ahead of myself.Have you decided to join the family company once you finish your MBA?”
I schooled my face not to betray any of the emotions this issue usually brought up: annoyance, indecision, utter disinterest.“Those negotiations are still underway.”
Jeffrey’s eyes widened, and he sent an impressed look toward my father.“You’ve taught her well.”
“Perhaps too well,” my father said, crossing his arms.
“How could she not go into the family business?”Eli asked coolly, and it reeked of being for my father’s benefit.After all, he was sitting right next to me.If Axel were here, I knew what he’d call him: a pompous turdmuffin.
“Maybe you could ask her,” I said a bit quieter, strictly for Eli’s benefit.
“Well, I suppose that does put a damper on the conversation,” Jeffrey said, looking disappointed in the way an actor on Broadway might—overdone a bit, so the audience in the last row can still feel it.“We’re interested in working with the next generation of Margulis Realty.Though I’m sure the alternatives you’re entertaining are…worthy.”
My father coughed.My mother reached for her wine.
“Point is, I’m seeing an incredible team right here.”Jeffrey made a square between him, my father, Eli and me.“Yes, our flagship businesses have found incredible success.”He clapped my father on his shoulder, but pinned me with a deep look.“But we’re thinking about the future here.We want to be at the front of this race to develop space, not coming in second or third.And I think it’s something my grandchildren will actively be participating in as well.”
“Your grandchildren?”I echoed as both June and my mother erupted into laughter.
“I thought we were the ones supposed to be putting on the pressure?”My mother asked wryly.
”As long as there’s pressure, I’m not sure it matters who applies it,” Jeffrey responded.
“Oh, Jeffrey.”June feigned annoyance, but secret pleasure rolled off her.The way her gaze darted between Eli and me served as a billboard for her thoughts:Just get married already and give me grandbabies!
I had no intention of marrying Eli.Ever.He was handsome, but that’s where my admiration began and ended.
The only man I was interested in procreating with wasn’t welcome at this table.But I couldn’t think about that tangle right now.Every man here wanted something from me, and I didn’t want to give any of them even half of what they hoped for.
“I hope it doesn’t bother any of you that I’m not planning on having children,” I said once their laughter subsided.It wasn’t strictly true, but they didn’t need to know that.
“You’ll change your mind,” June assured me.“I said the same at your age.”
“Cora,” my mother started, her tone dripping withdon’t start.
“Aren’t we getting ahead of ourselves?”Eli broke in, squeezing my shoulder.His touch made me tingle, but not for a good reason.“After all, it’s way too early to talk about that.There are businesses to run.”