Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 128156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
“Your dad didn’t want you to be in the protect-the-trust-fund-babies business?”
His lips spread into a full smile, and he laughs. “That’s a pretty good one, and no, he definitely wanted me in the financial world.” He winks again. “But only if it was his company I was working for.”
“And you didn’t want that?”
“I wanted to earn what came my way, not have it handed to me. I’ve been here since the moment I was allowed to intern, and I have no plans on leaving.”
My expression softens. “That’s honorable.”
“Or foolish. See, I have to win over the future owner now, or she might just fire me.”
I shake my head, a tentative smile playing on my lips. “I haven’t agreed to anything yet.”
His face relaxes into genuine curiosity. “But you will?”
“I’m not so sure. His terms are…”
“Steep?”
“I was thinking more like ridiculous, but yes.”
Prescott laughs loudly, and Grant looks over at us from across the room. His lips twitch and he holds up his glass before turning back to his conversation.
“Well, if there is one thing I can tell you, it is that that man holds loyalty and family above everything else. Sometimes he can be a little aggressive about it, but it always comes from a good place. At heart, he is a softy; he just doesn’t always know how to show it. With you though, he’s different. I think you’re good for the old man,” he says, slowly climbing to his feet. He holds a hand out. “Come on, let’s get in there before Eloise starts making plans for me without my input.”
I accept his offer and let him lead me into the room. Thankfully, the attention doesn’t fall back on me for the remainder of the night, and for once, I get to sit back and listen in on the workings of their lives instead of divulging mine.
“Did you have a nice time the other evening?” Grant asks me as we step out of the patio doors into his massive gardens out back.
“Surprisingly, I did.”
A scoff leaves him, and he gives me a grin that tells me he didn’t expect me to be so honest about it. “Surprisingly, huh?”
“Yeah.” I laugh. “It’s always a bit intimidating, being in a room full of people who are so different from me.”
“Different how?”
I give him a pointed look, gesturing to myself and them toward him. There is a stark contrast: him in his nicely pressed fifteen-hundred-dollar navy-blue suit and silk tie, me in my fifteen-dollar shorts and light-pink fitted T-shirt.
“Now, now, Paige, that’s not fair. Our clothing doesn’t separate us.”
“But our lifestyles do. I’m in college, Grant—Grandfather. Everyone I’ve met from your world is twice my age, or more, and settled into life.”
“Not everyone.” He looks my way.
It takes me a moment to understand who he means. “Prescott?”
“Yes, Prescott. He’s not much older than you. Just turned thirty a couple weeks ago.”
“I guess he’s the exception.”
“You two seemed to have been having a nice conversation two nights ago. I saw he made you laugh.”
“Yeah, he’s… Wait.” My eyes narrow. “Why do you sound like…”
“Like…?” He smiles, his whiskers peeking over the edge of his upper lip.
“Grandfather!”
The old man laughs. “You have to admit, you two would make a fine couple.”
Couple?! I stop walking.
“Don’t freak out, sweetheart.” He smiles wider. “I was only saying I can see the two of you getting along, is all. And don’t worry, I wouldn’t dare say that to him. That night just made me realize he too is stuck around people old enough to be his parents and grandparents. The man is quite married to his career, so I’m not sure he spends much time with anyone his age. You two have quite a bit in common, actually.”
“Like what?”
“Well, I guess time will tell if it’s meant to be, now, won’t it?”
It most certainly will not.
“Anyway, I asked you to come for breakfast this morning because I just found out I have to get a minor procedure done next month. It’s nothing major, but it’s not something I can put off, and when they asked me if there was someone I could trust to keep it confidential, because apparently, I will need myself a handler, it was your name that I gave.”
My eyes widen and I turn to face him.
“You can say no, if you’d like, but, Paige, sweetheart, new or not, you’re family. My only family, and while I’ve expressed my trust for my working team, this is a bit more personal than that. Especially considering the future of Randolph Legacies is still unsettled, I just don’t want to risk it. But I will if necessary.”
“Yeah, of course I can take you.” I reach out, putting my hand over his. “Thank you for asking.”
“Thanks for agreeing.” He nods and we continue to the little patio nook in the corner, where his staff is already setting up breakfast. “Now, let’s sit and eat and talk about anything other than work.”