Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Paul’s eyes narrow. “I’m trying to be nice. I’m trying to forgive and forget.”
But they never do either in this family.
What do I owe them? My whole life? My soul? Am I obligated to take their abuse for the simple fact that we share blood?
What do I owe the man I love? The friends who are more of a family to me than anyone in this room but Reid?
What do I owe myself?
All those questions roll through my head.
What would happen if I just…didn’t?
Reid turns to my cousin Sheryl, the one with the exact right amount of stock I need to stay in my position. “Sheryl, Harper would like to offer to buy your stock.”
Sheryl’s eyes go wide. “What? I’m sure she would. What’s she offering? Like a couple grand?”
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Paul replies. “Also, I don’t know if it’s legal given the company bylaws. Harper doesn’t have money, and no one can sell their shares outside the family.”
“Babe,” I begin.
But he’s pushing on with this plan he has to save me, to give me the thing I told him I need. “The shares will be in Harper’s name. I’m giving her the money, but I won’t have anything to do with the shares. When we marry eventually, we’ll have a prenup stating clearly I don’t get any stock in case we split.”
“We’re not splitting.” Of all the things he’s said, that’s what I can’t stop myself from responding to. “We don’t need a prenup.”
I say that because I know he won’t protect any of his assets. He’s selling his penthouse and plans on using the proceeds to buy us a new place and save this job I don’t even know why I’m doing anymore.
No one wants me here. Not really. Or if they do, they only want me if they can control and use me.
Reid gives me a smile. “We’ll do what it takes to satisfy your family.”
“Now see, that sounds like a sensible plan.” My mother nods Reid’s way. “I always knew Harper would come around in the end and see sense. She needed to find the right man since she won’t listen to her mother.”
“I still don’t like this stock plan.” Paul stares at me. “I think you’re trying to buy out family members so you can consolidate power.”
“Or I could not,” I say.
“I’d like to hear this offer.” There’s pure challenge in Sheryl’s voice. “So I can laugh at you and refuse you because this is nothing but a silly way to try to keep your job.”
“I agree.” It hits me that I’m here when I could be anywhere else. Anywhere. I think Lydia’s making pasta this afternoon, and Ivy and Heath are testing out the AI at her place. We could be there.
“One point five million,” Reid says, his tone serious and unwavering.
Shock goes through the room.
“Million?” Sheryl lights up. “You’re serious?”
“Now, Sheryl, we should talk about this,” Paul begins.
“He’s not serious.” I know he is, but I can’t go through with it. I turn to him and reach for his hands. “Babe, has Jeremiah hired a contractor for his new show yet?”
He’s still for a moment. “You don’t have to work with me. I’ll come here.”
“But if I want to? What if I want to do something for me? Not just us, though falling in love with you is why I’m here. What if I want to try something that fills my soul?”
“Uhm, I’d like to talk about the one point five million,” Sheryl says. “I say yes. I will sell to you.”
“Are you sure?” He ignores my cousin, and his hands squeeze mine. “Oh, baby, be sure because there is nothing in this world I would love more than a Dorsey Family show. We can fight and argue and collaborate and make my brother crazy and do so much good for people who need us. And when we make enough, I promise, I’m going to find another Banover Place and I’ll let you do whatever you want with it. You can restore it to its Gilded Age glory, and I’ll happily live there with you.”
That sounds like paradise but with one compromise. I think that’s what I learned about love. Or maybe compromise is the wrong word. When you love the person you’re in a relationship with, you want to make them happy because they make you happy. And everyone wins. “How about we have some glorious details and places we can show off, and the rest of our house is infinitely warm and comfortable and beautiful. But, babe, I’m going to need a place for the sippy cups.”
He stands, and the smile on his face is like sunshine. “I’ll design the most functional pantry in the history of time. Shall we?”
I stand with him. Like I always will.
“What is happening?” Paul asks, his face a florid red.