Page 23 of Finance Bros

“Why?”

Jesus. “Level the playing field?”

“Five against three? Hardly level,” she says in that no-bullshit way she’s got.

“Better than seven against one,” I say.

She narrows her relatively small eyes. “How do we decide who wins? What if only one person can win?”

“How do you think we should decide?” I ask.

“We could write reports on our contributions—decide who’s responsible for how much money. It has to be fair. And I won’t be side-lined.”

Believe it or not, I get where she’s coming from. “Look, it’s a legit offer to team up. You don’t like working on teams?”

“Do you?” she asks.

“Not particularly. But I want to win.”

“Really?”

I nod.

“And you don’t have a problem working with women?” she asks.

What?“No.”

“Because thatwillgo into my report if I even get a whiff that I’m being marginalized.”

“It’s totally up to you,” I tell her.

“What’s your best idea?” she asks.

“What’s yours?”

I get a definite glare for that. “We’ll need to have a planning session ASAP.”

“Okay.”

“I’m free tonight,” she says. “What about you?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“I’ll talk to Walsh. Plan for tonight. Location TBD.” With that, she backs off and walks away.

I set my coffee down on the counter and will my balls to drop back into their sac. Bailey is terrifying. I think I might like her, but there’s not a chance in hell I’d ever try to marginalize her. She’d have me for lunch.

As I return to Charlie’s workspace, I think about getting together with her and Malcolm tonight and how that’s going to look. The three of us all sitting down somewhere brainstorming quick money-making schemes. Actually, this is going to be much better—having her there. Just him and me? I won’t be at my sharpest. I’ll go along with whatever stupid idea he might come up with just to be agreeable. Like I said—he’s the sun, and I orbit it. It’s always been that way. Even this bonkers idea of teaming up was becauseheasked. I never would have had the courage to do that. I get that I should have said no, but I’m not sure I’m physically capable.

I haven’t felt this pathetic since high school.

Charlie grins up at me from his wheelchair like he’s got something evil planned for me. “Good. You’re back.”

I happen to notice one of the lights on the phone blinking, like someone’s on hold. “Should I be scared?” I ask as I take my seat.

“What did I tell you day one?”

“Show no fear?”

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