Page 106 of Tender Offer
“Yeah, bruv. I hear you.” He nods and stuffs his hands into his pocket. “Thank you for always caring.” He huffs. “Sad as it sounds, you were the only father figure I had.”
I pull him into a hug. “I love you, Will.”
“Love you too, Pres.”
“Fuck,” I sigh. “The end of an era and the start of an eighteen-yearJerry Springerepisode. You think he still remembers how to change nappies?”
William snorts on his way to the liquor cabinet, where he pulls out two crystal tumblers. “Let’s hope they ship our sister off to boarding school, for her sake.” His smile fades. “This will crush my mother. She begged him for another child for years.”
“Briar deserves better. She should leave him.”
He nods. “Maybe this will do it.”
We clink glasses in the middle of the room that’s no longer my office. Books I never read rest on shelves between heirlooms and art passed from one Donnelley to the next.
“You ready to say goodbye?” William asks before a sip of scotch. My “Yes” is instant and earns me a sidelong glance.
The last sixty hours have been a scramble to prepare for today and line up William’s COO replacement. Hadiza accepted the position, and she starts next week. As vice president of hotel operations, she’s been his right hand with guest experiences and management.
“Work had its moments, but we did good here. Now it’s yours,” I say.
William never expressed a desire to run the Donnelley Brand. My father always intended to pass it on to me. It’s time for my brother to step out of the shadows.
“It’sourtime. This was always our legacy. You made sure of that when you brought me on as COO,” William says. “I’d like for you to be part of the new board, as chairperson—votes pending, of course. You’re the reason this company is headed where it is. Let’s rebuild it together.”
Rich amber singes my throat on a swallow. “I’ll consider it if that’s the direction the board wants to head. You’ll always have my support.”
“Good. I fucking hate doing interviews. I won’t cry if you’re still the face of all this.”
“You’re not passing off your responsibilities to me,” I tease. “I’m not the CEO anymore, and I’m taking back my time.” I set the tumbler on the bar and grab my jacket. Not wearing a suit every day will take practice.
Good thing you went shopping months ago.
A smile dents my cheeks when I think of the heart-shaped lips and smooth pecan skin I haven’t tasted in over a month. I miss Madison. The way her lashes sweep across her cheekbones lifted in a laugh too big for her face, how her body so peacefully melts into mine while she sleeps.
My life is in transition, but I haven’t lost sight of the most important piece.
“Tell my sister-in-law I said hi,” William laughs. “Come on, I’ll buy you a pint as a going away gift.”
Chapter 52
Madison
“Touch that billfold, and you’ll hold your paintbrush in your mouth for the rest of your days.” I reach for the black pleather booklet and pull the check to me. My glower remains on my brown-eyed companion, who lifts a brow and the corner of his lips like I won’t stab his hand with my fork.
Our server waltzes to our table and takes my card, giggling under the lust-drunk spell of hooded eyes and a square jaw swimming in a goatee. “I’ll be right back, you two.”
The assumption I’m on a dinner date threatens my chicken and waffles to make a second appearance. I can’t go out with Joseph without someone thinking we’re together. It’s gross.
Joseph Catlett’s Nawlins charm plays across his vowels and the honey tips of his coiled hair with a fade he keeps as clean as the white tee that’s become his daily costume. He finally grew into his broad nose, and his once-twiggy body now carries muscles.
He’s handsome, but he’s also my first cousin.
The man of the evening lifts his hands and tosses his napkin on the table. “You got it.”
“Just remember me when they hang your paintings in museums. I expect a VIP ticket.” I smile. “I’m proud of you, Seph.”
“Appreciate you, Maddie.”
