Page 54 of The Bargain
“He really believes in you. He made that clear, and I believe him.”
“He lost his mom, too. She wrote him journals, almost as if she knew she was going to die, but he’s not close to his dad. He seems to really understand how important you are to me. Truly, he’s pretty amazing. I’m trying not to be too scared because of who he is, and every time I start feeling scared, he’s the one who makes me feel safe.”
My dad steps closer, and his hands settle on my shoulders. “If you don’t risk your heart, you don’t find your heart. Now, let’s go inside and let me get to know Ethan. Not as an investor, as the man in my daughter’s life.”
“But you’re going to let him invest, right? He’ll be fair, Dad. He’s honest.”
“Let me and Ethan work that out. Right now, I want to celebrate your success.” He drapes his arm over my shoulder and turns me toward the door. Nerves erupt in my stomach at the idea of him and Ethan coming together for lunch, both judging each other for various reasons.Or maybe they just want to like each other, I tell myself.
Nothing is going to go wrong.
Nothing at all.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Sofia
Wereachthetable,and Ethan stands, shaking my father’s hand, and I don’t feel tension between them at all. Ethan is quick to flag the waiter and offer my father a drink. “I better not,” he says, holding up his hands and sliding into the booth across from us. “I’m working this afternoon. I can’t preach how we stay away from the booze but then drink booze.” He orders an iced tea.
Ethan lifts his margarita glass. “Well, sometimes I need a shot of whiskey not to kill someone, and that’s in their best interest. More often than not, that would be my brother.”
My father laughs. “Sibling love. I have two brothers. We will beat each other’s asses, but don’t let anyone else cross any one of us, or the lot of us is after you.”
I’m worried this is going into uncomfortable territory for Ethan, but he turns it around, asking my father about my uncles, and that turns into several stories that last beyond ordering SOL’s famous tacos. Once the food is in front of us, my father turns the attention back to me. “What’s the plan? Are you leaving tonight for Paris? Did you get your passport?”
“I did get my passport,” I confirm, “and as for when we’re leaving,” I turn toward Ethan. “Tomorrow?”
“While you were outside, Helen, who will be your mentor, called. One of her favorite designers is in New York City to prepare for the Rhinestone Fashion Gala. She wants you to spend two weeks with her and then two weeks in Paris.”
“I have so many mixed emotions right now,” I admit. “So four weeks, not six?”
“That’s what she referenced right now. I assume she’ll decide what comes next based on how you perform.”
“Of course. Let the pressure begin. I’ll handle it.” His eyes are warm with my positive response and I add, “The Rhinestone Gala’s a dream event for me. And you need time in New York. But I’m kind of eager for Paris.”
“Seems like you’re getting the best of both worlds,” my father points out.
“Yes,” I agree and turn to Ethan. “And it’s good for you too, right? The whole two weeks?”
“It’s actually perfect. You know I have business to attend to. The catch is she needs you there tomorrow morning. That means we need to fly out tonight, not tomorrow.” He eyes my father. “I was hoping we could do breakfast and talk through the numbers, but why don’t we plan on a Monday Zoom?”
“That works,” my father says, and then, proving I’m what’s really on his mind, he once again shifts the conversation back to me. “When will we know if the Zoey brand is a success?”
“It’s already a success,” Ethan assures him. “She’s too good for this to fail, and the contract is solidly in her favor.”
“That’s what I want to hear,” my father says.
“Now we just need to get your business to the same place,” Ethan adds, lifting his drink. “And I do believe we can, but even if you decide against working with me, don’t let yourself get screwed over by a predatory investor. My attorney can look at the contract for you. She did Sofia’s contract for her, and she’s good. She’ll take care of you.”
“You know I want to work with you, Ethan. The way it’s come about was unexpected, but I have confidence in what I can do with you and for you.”
“Good. Get me the newest updates I need to know about, and I’ll send you over an offer. And if you want to have a one-on-one sit-down before I leave, we can make that happen.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary. I’ve got what you need. I’ll email it after lunch.”
“I’ll take a look and see if there are any red flags. I know you have new distribution needs, so we’ll get this done fast.”
“And if you and Sofia break up?” he asks.
