Page 74 of My Book Boyfriend
We enter the conference room. The immediate silence is deafening. Five heads turn to us. Including Percy Anderson.
Percy Anderson is already here?
Grandpa says, “We’ve invited Percy Anderson in to give a presentation on what he’d bring to the table as CEO.”
I school my face to appear calm.
Grandpa glances at Rowena and me and seems to be surprised that we’re not shocked by his announcement.
Lily looks up at me, and I can see the worry in her eyes. I squeeze her hand.
I introduce everyone to Lily and explain that she dressed as a seventy-year-old to infiltrate our meeting. “And I think she’d like to share why she wants to save the garden.”
Percy Anderson smiles a very derisive, self-satisfied smile.
Lily explains again how important the garden is for the community and ends with: “It’s the first week of March, and the daffodils have just popped up. Daffodils symbolize new beginnings, so I hope we can start our relationship again.”
I want to clap.
“Anyway, I’ll finish clearing the dishes, and then I’ll be out of here,” she says.
Up on the screen is the 3D rendering of our other design—the one with no garden.
Shit. Did I get ambushed? I glance at Rowena, but she’s watching Lily.
No. Rowena wouldn’t do that.
No way she’d betray me.
I walk over to where Lily is changing the coffeepots and help her by placing the last of the cups on the cart.
“You didn’t trust Rupert?” Grandpa asks.
Lily turns around to face the table. “I trusted Rupert, or I wouldn’t be dating him. But Rupert didn’t actually say he would save the garden. It’s my responsibility to save the garden, so I can’t rely on him. That’s not fair to him or our relationship.”
Grandpa chuckles. “I do like spunky women. She’ll keep you on your toes, Rupert. I’ll expect you both at dinner tomorrow. If you’re still dating after this.”
That doesn’t sound good. Lily glances at me, but I shrug.
“Thank you for the invitation.” Lily wheels the cart out of the room. The door clicks shut behind her.
I take my seat back next to Rowena.
Rowena says, “As you can see, this design is more in line with our other projects, less visually and architecturally engaging than the cantilevered option. I much prefer the first design.”
“Will the Oasis Community Garden withdraw the lawsuit if we go with the first option?” my uncle asks.
“I didn’t ask,” I say. “I didn’t want to make any false promises. I can ask her if that’s how we want to proceed.”
“I have to note that we can’t build any design until the litigation finishes,” our general counsel says. “We’re under an injunction that the garden must remain as is, as of ten this morning when the judge released this decision, until the matter is decided.”
“I move to table this until we finish Agenda Item 5: CEO,” my grandfather says. “Percy. We’re honored you’ve chosen to join us today.”
Percy Anderson’s presentation is good. Not earth-shattering. Not innovative. But maybe that’s what Grandpa wants. When I ask Percy which design he would pick, he chooses the one without the garden because it garners more profit, presuming we can settle the lawsuit with less money.
Rowena and I then give our presentation of our vision for the company—all of it, not just what we think Grandpa would like.
“Give me and the rest of the board some time to confer. Let’s convene back here in half an hour,” Grandpa says.
