When I was up close, I could see the subtle similarities she shared with Dax, but she had her own look. She was beautiful, just like in the pictures at the house. But many years had passed since those photographs had been taken, and she’d really turned into a stunning woman. “Thanks for meeting me today. I’ve gotten a lot of information already, but I just wanted to get an understanding—”
“Just ask your questions.” She returned to her chair and stared me down, her laptop open in front of her, a cold frown on her face. It seemed like this was the last thing she wanted to do with her time. Dax was so down-to-earth, but she was nothing like him. She was colder than ice.
My instinct was to talk back, but since I needed something from her, I just ignored it. I opened my notebook and got straight to the questions. “Dax said joining him in the CEO position was always a possibility, but you probably wouldn’t want it. Do you think that could change? And how do you feel about having a brother who so easily shares power?”
Her stare was just as cold as her voice. “How do I feel about having a brother who’s the best man that I know?” She cocked her head slightly, as if I’d said something offensive. “Dax is an equalist who has always treated me like I have just as much right to this company as he does. There’s not a misogynistic bone in his body, because our parents were exactly the same way. Dax would do anything for me within a second, and if it were my wish to be the single CEO of this company, he would vacate the chair immediately. He’s not some egotistical, greedy asshole who only cares about his bank account. He is, undoubtedly, the most wonderful man on this planet. That’s how I feel about it, Carson.”
Jesus Christ, that hostility was like an inferno. “We’ve gotten off on the wrong foot, and I have no idea why. Did I do something to offend you?” Instead of apologizing right away to kiss her ass, I didn’t. I didn’t apologize unless I meant it, and I didn’t bend to anyone just because they were richer than I was. I came here as a professional, but she’d been pissed off since she laid eyes on me. William was kind and easygoing, so I found it hard to believe this was her usual character.
Her eyes narrowed farther. “I don’t like you.”
“Whoa…just gonna come out and say it, huh?” I gave a slight shrug. “Well, I have to commend you for your honesty.”
She was still, her arms on the sides of the chair, regarding me like a ruler.
“I’ll just stick with the questions then and disappear as quickly as possible.” I didn’t ask her why she felt that way because it really didn’t matter. I hadn’t done anything to deserve this disrespect, so I wouldn’t humor her by pretending to care whatever her ridiculous reason was. “The company has been in the family for three generations, which is quite an accomplishment—”
“I don’t like you because of the way you treat my brother.”
I’d thought it was a possibility she wouldn’t like me because of my personal relationship with her brother, but I didn’t think she would lose all professionalism over it. “You mean, the way I was upset when he lied about who he was entirely? Took me to a fake apartment so he could be something he wasn’t?”
Her anger increased. “He’s a good man, Carson. I’m not saying that as his sister. He’s not like the friends he hangs out with. He’s honorable and, despite his mistake, honest. And the way he feels about you…is real. I don’t appreciate the way you’re holding a grudge against a man who obviously would do anything for you.”
I bowed my head. “No offense, but it’s complicated—”
“It’s not complicated at all.” She lowered her voice, which somehow made her more sinister. “My brother feels very strongly about you, has heartbreak in his eyes, and you’re an idiot for continuing to play with his heart.”
“I’m not playing with his heart—”
“Get your shit together and give him a chance. Because I promise you, you will never find a better man. You will lose your shot and regret it for the rest of your life. I’m sorry you’ve been hurt, and I understand new relationships are terrifying, but his lie was harmless. Stop being stubborn. Stop being difficult.”
The last thing I’d expected was to have a conversation about my relationship with her brother, especially at this intensity. “If you don’t like me, why would you even want me to be with him? He can find someone much better than me.”
“Because you’re the one he wants. Make him happy, then we have no problem. Make him unhappy…I’m your biggest enemy.”
Charlie glared at me the second I walked in the door.
“Okay, this shit is getting old.” I dropped my bag on the table.
“It’s not going to stop.” He sat in front of his computer in his sweatpants and a t-shirt. “Your head is still in your ass.”
“Seriously, I’m not in the mood right now.” I sat down and pulled out my phone. I started firing off texts, getting the girls to go out for a drink. The week had been rough, and I wanted to forget about all the drama.
“What’s up?”
“I interviewed Dax’s sister…”
“And that didn’t go well?”
“She drilled into me harder than you did.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Meaning?”
“She basically told me off for hurting Dax.”
“Good. I hope that lit a fire under your ass.”
“I can’t believe he told her about us. Do people really share that stuff with their sister?”
“You tell Denise stuff.”
“But we’re both girls.”
He shrugged. “They’re orphans.”
Dax had told me they’d gotten closer. Maybe he was opening up to her more, which included details about me.
“You know, you could make this all go away if you just talked to Dax.”
“Wow, that’s really romantic,” I said sarcastically. “I’ll tell him the only reason I’ve come back is because everyone in my life hates me…”
He sighed and relaxed against the chair. “You honestly don’t want him back? That’s my issue. I know you do, but you’re stubborn. If you just didn’t want him, I’d let it go.”
I pulled out my laptop and opened it on the table. “Can I just have some space with this?” It was my life, not his. It was my relationship, not his. “How am I supposed to think when I have people harassing me everywhere I go?”
He raised both hands in the air. “Fine.”
I got responses from the girls. “We’re going out tonight. You guys can join if you want.”
“We?” he asked, his interest piqued.
“Yes. Me, Denise, and Kat.”
He wasn’t going to say no to that. “I’m in. I’ll let Matt know.” He pulled out his phone and sent the text. “When are you going to talk to Kat?”
I sighed. “I don’t know, Charlie. I’ve had the week from hell…”
His eyes softened. “Yeah, I get it.”
“I’ll feel her out tonight and then go from there.”