20. The Plan
20
THE PLAN
WYATT
“ I n favour,” I voted, sealing the unanimous support of Odette’s proposed measure.
“With seven votes in favour, the measure passes,” Gautier said.
We’d had them over a barrel, but Odette shone brightest. She’d duped them and surprised me. Her toothy smile made me grin from ear to ear. We’d done it, and she wasn’t apologising for her victory. Impressed with her grit, I gave her a proud nod. She’d done so well—for her cause and mine. I felt less guilty for leaving her hanging earlier. When I’d been called to Italy on business, I had to shuffle everything. In the meantime, she’d schemed big.
“Great. Can I make another motion regarding the budget?” Odette asked.
“You… have the floor.” Gautier checked his watch.
“I’d like to consider an initiative to do a thorough review of the top twenty dangerous intersections in the city,” Odette said.
You could have heard a pin drop.
“What?” The Mayor asked.
“I did a preliminary investigation. The curb bump out is probably the easiest remedy for many, but I think a dozen small improvements must be made. I rode around to all of these on my cargo bike this morning and took photos. I’m no expert, of course. The city engineers could give us better ideas for improvements, but I think it could work.”
Quickly—and with no discussion—Gautier raised his gavel. “On this motion, how do we all vote.”
He railroaded her.
I raised my hand, “I move to table the motion.”
Odette’s face fell. She didn’t understand I wanted to save her proposal. Instead, she assumed I was out to get her.
“And request a five-minute recess before we address the art contest winners and my last agenda item,” I added.
“Those are two separate motions. Do we have a second on the matter of tabling The Princess’s proposal?”
The Mayor raised his hand.
Gautier banged his gavel. “It is tabled. On the matter of a recess, I will second.” He banged it once more.
The group broke. Odette slowly got up and walked down the hall. I followed her, desperate to explain my thought process.
“Hey, I wasn’t trying to throw you under the bus,” I said.
Odette turned, confused. “What?”
“I admire what you did in trying to use that momentum to push through the study. It’s a great strategic move. Unfortunately, you must chip away at it with these old bastards.”
She snickered at my coarse language.
“We’ll talk about it again during the next working session. I suggest we come in with a budget number.”
“Rookie mistake?”
“You just accomplished a lot. You’re a little bit of a rookie but a charming pro otherwise,” I said. “I’m on your side.”
“Same team?” Odette asked.
Her smile could have melted the coldest ice. She was sunshine on two legs.
“Same team,” I agreed.
We returned to the conference room to vote on the winner of a student art contest, then had one last item to address. I blamed myself for dragging this out .
“Now, onto Mr Worthington’s measure,” Gautier said. “You are attending the Vision International Summit in Cologne. And you are looking for another attendee?”
“Correct,” I said. “I was going to extend the offer. Originally, Ms. Morrisey wanted to attend but had to bow out.”
“Apologies,” Samantha Morrisey apologised. “My mother’s surgery was scheduled for that week.”
“When is it, Wyatt?” The Mayor asked.
“Next week—I leave Thursday and return Monday,” I answered. “It’s a great opportunity to interface with other Vision members and get new ideas. Either way, I’ll attend and bring back what I learn.”
“I’d like to attend.”
It was Odette. I turned, surprised. “Oh, Your Royal Highness… I am sure you are much too busy.”
“I don’t have any engagements next weekend… per my schedule. I would love to attend.”
“It would add credibility, certainly,” Gautier noted. “Your Royal Highness, that is generous .”
“De rien.” She shrugged and looked down. “Just trying to assist, and I know many of you are busy with your families. It’s short notice and all.”
A silence took hold. I realised they were waiting for me to say yay or nay.
“Oh, shoot. Yes, of course,” I said. My voice squeaked. I got my nerves under control, deepening it. “I would love to have the help. And it would make a big impression.”
“Great.” Odette beamed. “I can’t wait to learn more.”
I had no idea what I’d gotten myself into. Was I really about to travel out of the country with a princess? Half of me jumped for joy to have company. I’d missed our chats. The other half was paranoid. Was I reading too much into this? Did this look bad? Even if it was all innocent, the two of us being seen out together looked like something, right? A wealthy older man accompanying a much younger princess on a diplomatic trip raised alarm bells.
As the meeting ended, I pulled Odette aside. “Are you sure you’ve got time for this? Because I can go by myself. ”
“Absolutely not,” Odette assured. “I’d like to go. All this research has interested me in what would have been possible if we had the support. Rick is invested, too.”
“It won’t be trouble?”
“Not if Rick supports it,” she snickered. “Alexandra will fuss for five minutes but won’t die on this hill. She’ll give us our fun.”
I marvelled at how bizarre it was for her to speak casually about her sister and brother-in-law. To my American sensibilities, this ridiculousness did not compute. To Odette, this was the norm. But with her bubbly excitement and casual manner, everything seemed fine . She had a way of making it all seem so normal .
“Cool,” I said.
“And you have someone to watch Theo?”
“My Mom is sticking around. We’re trialling out a new nanny.”
“Fingers crossed. How is he?”
“Wonderful, actually,” I answered. “He started sounding out words. I am not ready for a literate child. I spell too many words out.”
She snickered. “Annoying when they do that, for sure. But it’s a sweet age.”
I wasn’t sure it was. Theo had an iron will when he wanted to, but he could be challenging to manage right now. His moods changed quickly. In five minutes, he needed a firm hand and compassionate hugs—boundaries but empathy. His disharmony tested my patience. He preferred his grandmother. If Isla were here, I was sure it would be a “mommy” phase. Sometimes, I felt guilty about leaving him without a close female role model.
“I suppose. I’m exhausted. Anyhow, it’s not your problem.”
“Can I do anything to help?” Odette offered.
I was surprised by her insistence. Why did she want to help? There was an awkward pause as I thought up what to say. She was being so kind. How did I even respond to that? She wasn’t serious , right? Thankfully, before I could react, The Mayor dropped his phone behind Odette. And before he could grab it, she turned to pick it up. Unfortunately, she bent over to grab the thing, leaving me in the direct line of sight of her shapely ass and the upper portions of the back of her thighs .
“There you are,” Odette handed the phone off.
“Thank you, ma’am,” Mr Mayor said. “See you both next month.”
He stepped out, and I tried not to take all of Odette in—her soft curves, her hair tied back and how I’d like to let it down, and that fabulous round ass. Fuck . This wasn’t good. I was about to be trapped with her for hours—days, even—and I couldn’t think like this. Think pure thoughts, Wyatt! Think about the Cards and their playoff losses.
I turned to leave, afraid if I stayed, I’d just look at her like an idiot for however long. She was beautiful . I could acknowledge that bit and remain professional, if not awkward as hell.
“Wyatt!” Odette chased after.
I turned to her.
“We have failed.”
I pressed the button for the elevator.
“We didn’t, though. It’s the first of many battles, but we won this one. Take the W, Odie.”
She crinkled her nose adorably and snickered.
C’mon elevator .
“No, Wyatt. It’s a joke. We have failed to produce superhero names,” Odette joked.
“Oh,” I laughed. “Totally forgot about that.”
“Because we got busy saving the world. So, what do you think of Captain Paranoid and the Cunning Conspirator?”
The doors to the elevator open. We slipped on, followed by her burly security detail. They formed a wall in front of the doors.
“We gotta work on that. You cannot be the secondary character, Odette. It was your win. You finessed it. And while you went off book, your plan will have its day to shine. I promise. Don’t settle for a supporting role, okay?”
She looked down at her feet. I wasn’t sure what I’d said.
“I didn’t mean?—”
Odette looked up, shaking her head. “No. That’s nice of you. Truly.”
The doors opened, and her security piled out. We stood on the elevator. I wanted to say something more—to tell her how much I appreciated that she believed in me. I sensed she needed to trust that she was enough, but I couldn’t find the words.