Page 77 of Never the Best

“Someone is arrogant.”

“Best orgasm of your life,” he repeated with a grin. “But we’re goin’ to take our time, date, get to know one another.We’re not goin’ to worry about what people think or say; we’re just…gonna be us.”

“That sounds good,” I murmured, looking into his brilliant eyes. “When will we start?”

“You’re not paying attention, darlin’, ‘cause we already did.”

CHAPTER 27

Rhett

Since Pearl was going to work, I decided to do the same. There were things that I couldn’t do remotely and had been putting them off. In all honesty, as dedicated as I used to be to my job and company, after seeing Pearl fall apart, it all seemed far less important.

My office was in a building along Abercorn Street, on the edge of Savannah’s financial district. The tall floor-to-ceiling windows reflected Savannah's historic charm while carving out its place in the present, thanks to the interior designer we hired to make the office look and feel ultra-modern.

Since I was theboss, I had a corner office with a view of Forsyth Park, just a few blocks away.

I had a ton of work to get through, and my calendar was packed with meetings, but I felt restive, so I watched the trees in the park, some of which had been there since the dawn of time, sway in the humid breeze.

The knock on my office door irritated me. Being back at work and available to everyone was usually second nature to me—de rigueur—but today, it grated on my nerves. I’d never pegged myself as the type who would enjoy time off, but I had. In fact, I loved it. I found myself thinking things like, “There’s more to life than work.”

Since when?Since I met Pearl again, I thought with quiet satisfaction.

“Yeah, come in,” I instructed as I walked behind my desk and took a seat.

My executive assistant, Cynthia Baker, stepped in. She was in her early forties and had been with Vanderbilt Finance since I started it eight years ago. I was a child then, and Cynthia had played a major role inraisingmy business andmein my professional capacity.

“Your father has requested half an hour of your time…well, he did that a few weeks ago, but I told his assistant that you were on leave.”

I chuckled. “That explains the voicemails he left me.”

“He thought I was lyin’ since younevertake time off.” Cynthia sat across from me. She was African American and had worked for top executives in the financial world. I’d been fortunate when she decided to work for my company, and all but took me under her wing to make a CEO out of me.

“I had important things to take care of,” I said, almost defensively.

She grinned, pushing up her glasses. “Rhett, it warms my heart that you trusted yourverycompetent team to take careof things, and as you’ll see at the status meeting later today, they have done precisely that.”

“Thanks, Cynthia.”

“How’s Pearl?” she asked.

“Good. She’s gone to work today. I dropped her off before I came here.” I was keeping an eye on my phone. I’d told her to text or call me if she felt uneasy at all and wanted to go home.

“I can squeeze your father in before your lunch meeting with the marketing team.” She flipped through her tablet.

“Sounds good.”

She looked at me. “You want to tell me what’s going on?”

“Cynthia, you could probably tell me what’s goin’ on better than I can,” I murmured.

She made a face. “Well, I know what happened at the Savannah Soirée for Hope. Good work.”

I grimaced. “Pearl’s niece recorded it, and next thing I know…. I’m assuming you want to know why my father is coming here rather than me going to him?”

“Yes,” she confirmed.

I shrugged. “I felt it was time he understood what my taking care of the family estate means.”

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