She traces comforting circles on my back, speaking clearly and certainly, daring the universe to not obey her commands. “No one is going to find out that it’s a fake marriage so you can both save face. You’re going to walk down that aisle and make your Papa proud for his last days, and Ross is going to get Dad off his back and kick ass at work. And in six months, when the dust is settled, you’ll see where you land. Maybe it’s together. Maybe it’s not. But you’ll at least have had the dream.”

“I hope you’re right,” is all I can say, because it’s the absolute truth. Universe, if you’re listening, please let her be right.

Chapter 15

Ross

I stare out the windows overlooking the city, mentally reciting my presentation. This is a big one, important to the company and to my career. I need it to go well, and it will. I’m prepared, the numbers are great, and it’ll be a boon for the company.

As long as Dad can see that.

A knock on the door interrupts my speech. I look over to see Kaede in the doorway, his brand-new ‘armored’ tablet in his left hand. “It’s time.”

I nod, and we stride off down the hallway together. Knights to the battle, updated from the medieval brand of warfare to a battlefield of conference tables surrounded by the old guard.

We walk into the meeting room, where the only member of the board not yet present is Dad. It gives me a minute to review my meeting notes behind the podium while Kaede gets the display set up, him giving me the thumbs-up just as Dad and Courtney walk in.

Subtle, Dad. I know by his being tardy, he’s sending a signal to the rest of the board that I’m unimportant, that this presentation is unimportant. Everything with him is a multi-layered power play of strategy. Always.

“Thank you for coming, everyone,” Dad says before taking his place at the head of the table. “Ross?”

“Thank you, Dad, board members. I know a lot of things have been happening recently,” I start, getting a few chuckles from the more sympathetic board members, “and if I sound a little sleep deprived, my apologies.”

“Hell, it’s understandable. We were once young and in love too,” someone says, earning a chuckle from almost the entire room.

“Oh, good. I’m so glad to hear that planning a wedding wore you all out too,” I continue the joke before sobering. “Today, I’m here to propose a new venture for your consideration. I truly feel, and think you will too, after seeing the numbers, that this’ll set the company on a generational path of growth, making certain that we’re leading the cutting edge for the next decade and beyond.”

For the next half hour I go through my proposal, Kaede helping from time to time with his computer magic. He’s got the amazing knack of taking a hundred pages of scientific gobbledygook and turning it all into something that someone who received their MBA from Harvard back in the Reagan administration can understand.

By the end, even Dad looks a little less hostile, and as the lights come up, I know that I’ve made some headway. I bust my ass to deserve my spot in this company, and I’m even going so far as to get married under his directive. He has to see that and recognize the potential this deal has too.

“Ross, I’ll be honest,” Dad says as the board looks at him, “I understood about a quarter of that speech. Not that you or Kaede didn’t do a good job of dumbing it down for us geezers.”

There are a few laughs around the room, and even Courtney smiles a little. “If you’d like, Dad, I can start over?”

“No!” Dad protests, holding up his hands and smiling congenially. “I think you could spend a year trying to explain it to me and I still wouldn’t get some of it. That’s fine. I know the cutting edge keeps marching on and sometimes, we’re left watching it go. The part I did understand was the finances. And that told me everything I needed to know. We need accounting and R&D to double-check your figures, of course, but if everything looks good . . . well, I’d say we might have a new Andrews venture. We’ll reconvene on this when you’re ready.”

A thrill goes through me, so electrifying that I float for the rest of the meeting. A few board members do ask questions about my presentation, and I have answers at the ready, able to speak to any concerns they might have and even pump up the interest a bit more. After that, Dad talks about quarterly statements, and before I know it, the meeting is over.

Before leaving, Paul Washington, the head of R&D, comes up. “Impressive, Ross.”

“Thanks, Paul. I assume your guys are going to tear it apart?”

“Oh, we won’t give you a quick shine-on,” Paul says with a grin. “But just from my perspective, you nailed it. Your new young lady must really have gotten you grounded over the past few days. She must be something special to tame you so quickly.” Something about the way he says that lets me know he’s heard the rumors of my painting the town red, which is what started this whole ultimatum. But at least he can see the difference in me and is saying positive things now.

“She’s . . . amazing, Paul,” I tell him honestly. “And she does have a way with people, especially me.”

Paul leaves as the rest of the board files out, and I turn to look at the head of the table. Worry trickles through me when I see Dad sitting in his seat still, a scowl on his face.