Page 16 of If The Shoe Fits

Helene

Helene was shocked Cade stuck to her, taking insult after insults. She wasn't being fair, and she knew it. It was like all the frustration, all the fear and yes, anger she was feeling over her own situation, when confronted by this society, began pouring out of her mouth. She felt comfortable with him—and that translated into shoving into his face everything she thought about his kind.

"So, tell me, what would you do to change the world, then?" he asked, after they both topped up their drinks.

She shrugged. "I don't know. True change can only happen at a larger scale. But people like you can still have a real impact. You know, pay your employees enough for them to live comfortably. That translates into maybe an extra dollar per hour—pocket change that wouldn't impact your bottom line much, but would make the difference between a family eating pasta every day and being able to go to the movies once a week."

Cade grinned. "We offer a competitive package—about twenty percent higher than our competitor."

That sounded great, but… "Sure. For the executive and the head of your thinktanks, you're probably rolling out the red carpet. But they aren't those struggling to find a place to rent or pay for their kids' schools. How much do your secretaries make?"

He stared at his glass for so long, Helene wondered if he’d finally had enough. "You know what? Not a fucking clue."

She shrugged her shoulder. "That was my point."

"But I will check that on Monday. I'll have a survey sent around, too, about living conditions and such."

She could only stare.

"I will," he insisted. "Just because I didn't think about an issue doesn't mean that I willfully ignore it once it's brought to my attention. If you ask me, the problem with the world is that there aren't enough Helene Franklins in it."

Now, she laughed. "You couldn't handle two of me."

"No, I couldn't." Laughter brightened his dark, intense gaze.

Cade Lawson truly was one of a kind. Helene had no idea whether he would follow up on his word, but he'd certainly managed to make her feel special tonight. "I can't tell whether you're being honest, or you just want to get into my pants." Someone had to make her stop speaking, now.

"Why can't it be both?" he replied seamlessly.

Gosh, she hadn't expected him to take the bait. Heat flared around her face and neck. She was blushing like a damn schoolgirl thanks to him. "I'll believe it when I see it."

He laughed, stuffing a hand in his pocket. "Fine. Give me your email. I'll forward you the survey on Monday."

"There's a difference between conducting a survey and actually taking action if your employees tell you there's a problem."

"You don't give an inch, do you?"

She really didn't. "What do you want me to say, that a conversation with you has changed my entire life philosophy because you have really nice shoulders?" He did, at that. Cade chuckled slowly. She took his phone all the same, and entered her email address, though she knew he wouldn't contact her. "There."

He took the phone back and pocketed it. "Do you judge Carter as harshly as me?" he wondered. "I can only image the conversations around the table at Thanksgiving."

Helene laughed. "Carter overpays everyone. I remember Cassie wondering at her starting salary when she first worked for him. And he's a self-made man." She had nothing but respect for her brother-in-law. "Plus, he gives me awesome Christmas presents."

"Does that mean you're susceptible to bribery? How very greedy of you, Ms. Franklin."

She was enjoying the banter more than she would admit.

"Oh, dear. Olivia Vincent is approaching." Cade grimaced, his attention fixed on a perfectly poised, beautiful woman in a black suit. She wore it without a shirt underneath—just a diamond in the latest stare of fashion at her throat, showcasing her incredible rack. Helene wanted to be her when she grew up.

"Someone you know?"

He sighed. "You could say that. Olivia is my godmother. She takes her job rather seriously. You can expect a thorough interrogation, given that we've chatted for more than ten minutes."

She couldn't help but tease him. "So, she's the dragon chasing away all the gold diggers?"

"Hardly." Cade shook his head. "A few years ago, maybe. Now, Mother and Olivia are in league. They don't care if I bring home a gold digger, as long as they get grandbabies. You can expect to be asked how many children you'd like, and whether you're planning on home schooling, or have a private school in mind."

"Got it. Let's run." She had been successful in avoiding that line of questioning from her own parents for a few years—at the moment, their principal target was Cassie, given the fact that she was married. Occasionally, her mother reminded her that her clock was ticking, and she needed to think about the future—whatever that meant. No way was she letting a perfect stranger corner her.

---