Page 21 of February

“I see,” Monica replied, leaning back in the chair. “I have coffee on the way, but thank you for letting me know.”

“A local place?”

“No.”

“Ah… You came to New Orleans to drink some chain crap, didn’t you?”

“I came to New Orleans for work but wasn’t aware New Orleans was known for its coffee.”

“Among other things,” Bridgette told her.

“Well, I’ve already ordered, but maybe I’ll try it later.”

“Typical,” Bridgette said as she rolled her eyes.

“I’m sorry; have I done something to offend you?” Monica asked as she leaned forward again.

“Offend me? You’re here to steal my company.”

“Steal? I’m here tobuyit.”

“Same thing to me.”

“You might want to look those two words up in a dictionary because they have very different meanings,” Monica replied.

“Whatever,” Bridgette said. “I’ve got work to do.”

“Good. So do I,” she stated rather angrily.

“Well, good,” Bridgette said back.

“Yes, good,” Monica retorted, wondering how many times they’d just said the word ‘good’ between the two of them.

“Good morning, Monica,” Dale spoke as he appeared next to his daughter. “Did Bridgette tell you that we have beignets in the break room?”

“Beignets?”

“Yeah. They’re donuts. We call them–”

“I know what a beignet is,” Monica cut Bridgette off. “I spent a college semester in Paris and have been to France several times since then.”

“Oh. Well, good for you.” Bridgette took a sip of her coffee. “Also, I ate all of them, so there aren’t any in the break room anymore.”

Dale laughed and replied, “She’s kidding. I bought two dozen. You’re kidding, right?” He looked over at his daughter in concern.

“Let Monica go check,” Bridgette challenged.

“I ordered a pastry from–”

“Have fun, Dad,” Bridgette said, interrupting Monica this time, before she turned and walked away.

Dale closed the conference room door behind him and said, “I’m sorry. She’s taking this harder than her mother and I thought she would.”

“I can tell,” Monica said.

Dale sat down across from her with his computer and added, “My wife and I started this business with every intention on passing it down to Bridgette and her children. Well, shedoesn’t want kids, but we still planned on giving it to her when we retired, and now, she’s trying to figure things out.”

“Does she want to stay on, assuming we acquire?”

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