Page 15 of My Book Boyfriend
“And it’s better than losing our relationship. We’ve all seen the consequences of that.” I gesture toward the family photo on his desk.
Grandpa growls and looks off to the side.
Yes. That was a low blow, but my father and my uncle barely talk to each other, ever since my uncle betrayed his brother to become CEO.
“This job is all-consuming. That’s why Uncle Tom has decided to retire,” I say. Uncle Tom’s recent health scare convinced him it was time to step down. “And if we ever get married and have kids, we’d like to see them.” Another harsh truth.
“Maybe I should hire an outsider,” Grandpa says. “Then you both can have plenty of time to find a partner and don’t need to risk your health to run this company.”
Shit. I’m being too confrontational.
Our playbook has always been to agree with Grandpa.
Telling him Rowena and I want to be co-CEOs is the first time we’ve openly disagreed with his wishes.
“I’m sure we can both find a partneranddo this job. You and Uncle Tom managed,” I say.
“Apparently, Tom has not managed so well. As if I have meeting your partner to look forward to. You’re not even dating anyone.”
I look away, and Lily’s face pops into my mind. I’m excited to see Lily tonight at the book club. Even if a relationship between us is impossible.
“You’re seeing someone?” Grandpa’s gravelly voice snaps me back into the room. “You’re looking besotted.”
I shake my head. “I can’t exactly date right now when I’m in the middle of trying to convince you that Rowena and I can be co-CEOs—and come up with an idea for this development that will prove to you we both merit the position.”
“Excuses,” Grandpa says. “I’d like great-grandchildren while I’m still capable of seeing them and playing with them.”
I soften. Grandpa really did make up for lost opportunities with his sons by spending so much time with me and Rowena. Why can’t he understand that’s one of the reasons Rowena and I are close and don’t want to compete against each other?
“And you should find someone like your grandmother—someone feisty, someone who is a risk-taker.”
I can feel my eyebrows raise. As if Grandpa wants someone to stand up to him. He wants his own way—and only his own way.
Grandpa stares at me. “I don’t think I ever told you and Rowena this, but your grandmother is the one who persuaded me to start my own business.”
“You never told us that,” I say.
Grandpa gazes at the photo on his desk. “She was the one who insisted we buy that first piece of land. It was crazy. Even now, I can still feel that cold fear in my stomach when I bought that lot that I could lose everything. You guys have it easy.” And then he shakes his head and glares at me. “I also haven’t seen any articles published yet countering the garden-biased crapThe Intelligencerprinted.”
I rub my brow. “I talked toTheIntelligencer,The Gazette,TheSquirrel, and a bunch of other papers. I explained that we are providing affordable housing units … plus, there will still be green space, so the development will actually be better for the community.”
“Harrumph. It’s clearly better.”
A tap sounds at the door.
“Come in,” my grandfather bellows.
It’s our press person, Alison.
“I heard you were both here. Unfortunately, there’s aTalkTackvideo and Instagram reel trending that takes a dim view of the proposed development,” Alison says.
“What’sTalkTack?” Grandpa asks.
“It’s a social media platform where people post videos,” Alison says. “This looks like it’s made by some of the teenagers who hang out at the garden.” She turns on her iPad.
The video shows the garden and all the various communities using it, and then a big hammer smashes a dollhouse-size garden into bits with the words “Save the Oasis.”
Grandpa’s eyes bulge.
