Page 4 of The American

“Yes, Thad, I’m here. How’s the Big Apple?”

He gave her a thumbs up.

The rest of the family gathered, his mother blew him a kiss and asked if he had everything he needed. “Hurry back. It can’t be nearly as lovely as our palace right here.”

Their mother assumed every other location in the world to be less than ideal. And she was right most of the time. But Thad loved America. He had been longing to do just this very thing for a long time.

The meeting went as most do. They had some press concerns for him to deal with but nothing he couldn’t handle from far away. He spent most of the meeting watching each of his brothers. Daniel pretended he was listening, but Thad could see from his angle that he was scrolling through images on his phone. Tripp had just finished his second turn at the Olympic trials. Nico led the meeting with Jo at his side. Everyone joked and worked and talked. They had a good, solid working relationship. And he missed them. But he was also excited about this new experiment, all his own. As the Valdez brother in charge of their press relationships, some years were busier than others, depending on the paparazzi and the news they stirred up. Until now, he had not yet had a chance to pursue any real goals outside of his responsibilities for the crown. And this was his year. The call from Zachary had come at the perfect moment.

He finished up with his family at around three A.M. and then tried to get a few hours of needed sleep. The alarm came too soon. He needed to be on his A game today, with sunglasses and bright shoes and the best cut suit he owned.

On his way to the office, he bounced his knee in excitement. Today would begin his first day of real negotiations and responsibilities for Zachary. And he determined to try out some of the theories he had learned when getting his MBA.

He was early. When he stepped out of his car, straightened his coat, and grabbed his bag, he smiled.

“You forgot your sunglasses.” Her voice was honey, light and teasing.

He pulled the pair out of his pocket. “Oh, they’re right here.” He grinned at Sage but she was on her way toward the building.

He picked up his pace and she hastened hers. He laughed. “Are we racing?”

“Certainly not. Anyone can see I was here before you.”

“Oh ho!” He ran for the elevator and slammed the buttons. “I disagree.”

Zachary cleared his throat and frowned. Apparently he was part of the group Thad had run by in his efforts to beat Sage.

He immediately rested his hand on Thad’s arm. “Really Thad. In America, there is a certain level of expectation in our manner of carrying ourselves.”

Thad widened his eyes and then narrowed them when Sage hid her smile.

But he bowed his head. “I forget myself. Sage was racing in and left me with the feeling of being left behind. I thought to play along, encourage good relations.” He winked and Zachary’s eyes sharpened before he nodded his head. “Well done, then. I see I misjudged you.”

“Oh, no misjudgment. I welcome any correction you may have for me as I’m learning my way around here. I am sure to stumble more than once, but I am determined to listen well.”

“Just right.” He eyed Sage. “I think we’ve found a good one here.”

She hummed. And nodded. But that was all she would give him, not even a glance in Thad’s direction.

Zachary led them both into an open and airy conference room. One wall was floor to ceiling windows and Thad immediately went to stand at the edge of the window to look out over Manhattan. “I will never tire of this view.”

Sage came to stand beside him. “Have you been here often?”

He shook his head. “Once a year is all.”

He pretended not to notice the raised eyebrows or doubtful expression she shot Zachary. The news would hit her hard enough without him already trying to counter her misplaced doubt in him.

Zachary paged his secretary who gathered the others. The plan was to announce to all the staff and Sage, that Thad would be the new CEO. They were planning to hire Sage in her role as consultant to work with Thad to jumpstart a new campaign for the company, with Thad as its poster boy. That way Sage could walk them through the new transition.

He admitted to being a bit wary of the idea to begin with, but after listening to Zachary pitch his plan on the phone, his press experience kicked in and he had to admit the marketing theories behind the plan were genius. And it helped, he reminded Zachary, that Thad hoped to be useful in other ways besides just publicity.

Everyone took their seats with Thad on one side of Zachary and Sage on the other.

Once all eyes were on the threesome at the head of the table, Zachary cleared his throat. “I would like you to meet Thad Valdez. He comes to us from the island of Torren.”

Mostly polite, and in some cases a bit boisterous, clapping followed the introduction. Thad flashed them his most charming grin.

“And of course most of you know Sage Parker. We hold the utmost respect for her in her efforts last year as our consultant. Much of the new direction we are taking, and all of our new prosperity, we owe to Sage.” She nodded and the others clapped enthusiastically.

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