Page 120 of Heart Strings & Hotlines
Note to self, when in doubt of an appropriate response, say nothing, and Lottie will fill in the blanks. It might be a safe rule to follow in many situations going forward.
“Maybe it’s not the time to go international,” she says. “Originally, it was the logical next step, you know. Au pairs are still big business. But with my father pushing for the injunction?—”
“Which he will not get.”
Her eyes soften in a way I really like because it only happens for me.
“Hopefully. Hopefully he won’t succeed. But to ensure that the hotline doesn’t get shut down, I can hand it all over to Rowan with a temporary contract to use the software for the hotline. Well, assuming I can get the injunction thrown out quickly.”
“No.”
“No.” She takes a step away from me, rests her hands on her hips, and widens her stance as she glares at me. “What do you mean, no? You really have no say here, Thane.”
“I mean, no, that’s too risky. How do you know you can even trust her?”
Her eyes soften again. That’s a win for me.
“Would you trust Rafe with something like this?”
“That’s different. I’ve known him since college.”
“It’s not different, and I have also known Rowan since college. She’s smart, and capable, and it’s not forever. It’s a temporary fix, so my father can’t take this away from me. It also takes the stress off my back. If Rowan is running things, I know that all the single parents will be taken care of in the way I would have done it.”
“It’s still risky.”
“Life is risky, Thane. Business is risky. You know what’s not risky?”
Silence is your friend here, Thane.
“Rowan is not a risk. She’s a safe bet.”
“But what will this fix?”
“If I know Rowan is taking care of the hotline, then I can shift my focus to all the other shit you rambled off. All the ways in which my test and algorithm can help people. I admit, I never saw beyond my own nose, but now you’ve opened my mind to new possibilities, and I agree with you. I know I can help more than single dads.”
“You still need the technology. Are you going to let me help you with that?”
She shifts her weight. It’s the same thing Kara does when she doesn’t want to answer something. Is that the universalI don’t want to talk about itsignal?
“I do need help, and it kills me to admit that, but it’s still not a good idea to tie ourselves together romantically and professionally. I won’t look weak in front of my peers, and having you bail me out is the equivalent of sleeping with the boss to get ahead.”
Red fills my vision. I take her elbow and guide her closer to the beach. I fucking hate the beach. Sand gets everywhere, but we need more privacy, and Rowan is shooting eyeball lasers in my direction from her spot in front of the firepit.
“I’m not willing to give you up, Charlotte. And if you think I’m going to allow you to get into bed, even professionally, with someone I know isn’t as good as me, you can think again.”
She pokes me hard in the chest. I barely register it, but when she shakes out her hand as though it hurt, I sigh, take her hand in mine, and massage the offended appendage.
“You do not get to allow or disallow anything, Thane.”
“You’re not going to work with someone who isn’t the best. I’m the best. I can give you everything your company will need.”
“Listen to me, Thane. Millions of companies are thriving using other people’s technology. I know you’re the best at what you do—I’m not debating that. What I am telling you is I’ve seen too many companies get into contracts with each other only to have strong, unbreakable relationships shatter when the business doesn’t thrive. Look at Sebastian and his ex-partner. Not only did he try to sabotage Seb’s company, he slept with his wife. That’s not something I’m willing to risk with you. So you can either have me as your woman, or you can have me as your business partner, but you can’t have both.”
“I can, you just won’t let me. And Sebastian’s partner was a twat. Seriously, did you meet him?” I take a step forward until we’re nearly touching. “And most importantly, I would never, ever cheat on you. In love, life, or business.”
“Tone.” Her nostrils are flaring, and my chest is heaving.
Over her head, I catch Rowan’s eye. She stands with her hands on her hips as her toe taps against the ground. Sebastian, the dick, stands behind her, staring at me as though he’s about to march down here himself.
