Page 14 of Nico
The exchange between his children had taken the edge off his anger, but James still had a lot to say. Nico waited a beat before pushing back his chair and crossing to get more coffee. If he was in for an argument, he needed the caffeine.
Settling back in the chair, he directed a challenging gaze to the man seated at the head of the table. "Want me to apologize?" He asked mildly.
Thick brown brows shot up. "Would you mean it?"
Nico shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you dad, you know how much I hate these meetings."
"It concerns the company, one you will be inheriting on my demise."
"Hopefully not any time soon." He tried for a charming smile, but it did nothing to soften his position. "Look, I'm here, aren't I?" He gestured with his coffee cup. "Under duress, yes, but I'm here. I have things to do..."
"We ask for two days out of the bloody week and it's just a few hours. Surely you're not too busy to manage that."
"You have no idea." He muttered.
"You find time to be with that young lady that we're still to be formally introduced to. You haven't invited her over for dinner. I'm assuming the relationship is serious?"
"It is. She's not ready to formally meet the family." And that stung. No matter how much he tried to rationalize it. "And I'm not going to force her into doing what she's not ready for."
"I see." James ignored the call coming through as he stared at his son. It confounded him the way he operated. And he had to admit he was intrigued despite his frustrations. "You could not bother to wear a tie?"
"Was that a requirement?"
"Or press your shirt? What happened to the housekeeper?"
Nico shifted in the chair and avoided the man's eyes. "Mother is sending someone else over."
"How long will this one last, I wonder?"
"Hopefully, long enough to get the work done. Look dad, I'm sorry I'm not the son you bargained for. I'm who I am and have no intention of changing."
"Of course not." His father's voice was deceptively mild. "You're not who I bargained for, but the fact is I happen to be proud of you."
Nico stared at him in surprise. "You've never said that before."
"I'm saying it now." He sighed. "Your mother demands that I cut you a bit of slack."
Amusement flickered over Nico's face. "So, this is her doing?"
"Mostly. Why don't you do us both a favor?"
"If I can."
"Try and be here whenever you're required to be. Your suggestion about the cruise line was quite timely and shows that you're thinking. Even if you were not present."
"Why thank you." His grin flashed. "Now, may I be excused?"
"Of course. Invite the young woman over. Your mother is insisting on it."
"Will see what I can do." Shoving back the chair, he headed for the door, pausing just as he reached it. "I'm proud of you too, dad."
James stared at the empty doorway and shook his head. Picking up the phone, he answered the call.
*****
"Hi."
"Hi. Are you lost?"
