Chapter 21
Daniel
“I promise I’ll be ready to leave when you get back from your meeting,” I say to Cherry. I don’t think she believes me, but it’s true this time. “Trust me.”
“Last time you said that I sat in your office for two hours while you had back-to-back meetings.”
“Yes, I lied on purpose that time because I like knowing you’re in the building, but we have a one o’clock lunch reservation.”
She looks unconvinced. It doesn’t matter if I have a reservation or not, I get immediate access anywhere.
“Who would turn you away?” she asks. When all I do is smile, she says, “Fine. I need to review my notes before my meeting.”
“I love you,” I say in a sing-song voice.
“I love you too,” she says. “And I’m having lobster. Two of them.” I lean down and kiss her cheek. She looks into my eyes and smiles, and I want nothing more than to take her in my arms and never let her go. “And your shirt is ridiculous.” I look down at my white t-shirt that has Cherry’s Jubilee written in red. “You can’t wear that to your meeting.”
“I have a suit, then I’m putting it right back on.”
She rolls her eyes but smiles as she runs her hand over my chest.
My office door opens at that moment, and Ashley walks in. She stops short when she sees me with Cherry. She took the week before and after her wedding off. When she returned last Monday, I informed her that she’d been promoted to office manager of the legal department. The job comes with a raise and more responsibility, but she didn't seem happy when I delivered the news. I think she knew why she was being reassigned.
She clears her throat, and I notice her looking at my t-shirt. I run my hand over it and grin. “What do you think?” I ask.
“Cherry’s Jubilee. Cute,” she says, clearly not meaning it from the sour look on her face. “Since it’s my last day, I wanted to say that it’s been great working for you, and I’m excited about my promotion. Your new executive assistant is ready to start on Monday, and I hope you don’t mind, but I invited Amira to my farewell luncheon.”
“Sounds good,” I say, dismissively. “I’m sorry I won’t be there, but you’ve been a great assistant, and it’s time you move on to bigger and better roles.” It’s true. She has been a great assistant, but Cherry’s comfort comes first. And good executive assistants come a dime a dozen.
Cherry doesn’t address her cousin, but she moves away from me and pulls her laptop out of one of the Birkin bags I got her.
My office door swings open again, and my dad walks in.
“Oh, Cherry, I’ve been waiting for you,” he says. “I had your driver text me as soon as you got here.” He sits on the couch and pats the spot next to him. Ashley arches an eyebrow and watches. “I’ve been thinking about Cherry Cross Accounting Services, and I have a few suggestions. Ever since we were at your parents’ for that barbeque, it’s all I’ve thought about.” He rubs his hands together in anticipation. “This is the kind of stuff I love.”
Cherry brings her laptop to the couch and sits next to him.
“You need to get a life, Dad,” I throw in.
When he found out Cherry had her own accounting business, he convinced her to show him her books. They spent the rest of the day with their heads together, talking business.
“You and Mrs. Jubilee had dinner with Cherry’s parents?” Ashley asks. She’s gone completely ashen now .
“We all did,” I say, answering for my father. “Kirby and Solange were there too.”
“Oh,” Ashley says. “How nice.”
“I love how you have no overhead costs because everything is remote,” my dad says, ignoring Ashley.
“Not everything, but if a client needs to see me, I go to them. Like I am in about”—Cherry checks her watch before she says—“an hour.”
“Oh? Tell me all about it.” Cherry opens her mouth to speak, but Dad talks over her. “Now, when I first started out—" Dad begins but stops and looks up at me. “DJ, you have a meeting. Don’t be late. And I like the t-shirt but put on a suit and go. You can preen for your girlfriend later.”
“ We have a meeting,” I remind him.
“You, Son. I’m busy.” He gestures for Cherry to hand over her laptop, and she does.
“Well, I’m so sorry to intrude,” I say, not hiding my sarcasm.
“I still don’t understand how Patrick Udunka didn’t hire you,” Dad says as he looks at Cherry’s laptop. He pulls his glasses from the inside of his suit jacket and puts them on. “I don’t get how he could have interviewed you three times and let you slip through his fingers. I would have hired you after the first.” Dad throws his head back as if deep in thought. I know that gesture. Dad wouldn’t say something like that unless he already knew the answer. “Hmm,” he says. “I’ll have to get to the bottom of that.”
“It’s okay. I’m happy where I am,” Cherry says.
“Well, I’m not,” my dad insists.
“I’ll see you all later,” Ashley says and quickly walks to the door.
“Ashley,” my dad says, and she stops walking. He doesn’t say another word until she turns around to face him. “You’re friends with Patrick, aren’t you?”
The office goes quiet. Cherry’s head snaps up as she looks at Ashley, who won’t make eye contact .
“Well, uh, we’ve chatted a few times,” she says while looking down at the floor. “I wouldn’t say we’re friends or anything like that.”
“Huh. I guess I had that wrong then,” Dad says. Dad never has it wrong. If he’s taking his time to bring it up, he’s already done his research. “You have a nice day.”
“Of course. You as well,” Ashley says before she practically runs out of my office.
“I’m thinking that I should come with you to your meeting,” my dad says to Cherry. “I’ll shadow you and give you feedback afterward. I promise not to take over.”
I catch Cherry’s eye and shake my head. “So, you have time on your schedule to crash Cherry’s meeting?” All Dad does is wave me off as if I’m nothing more than a nuisance. “He’s totally going to take over,” I warn her. “And he’s already made up his mind to go with you. He won’t take no for an answer.”
“What kind of fool would turn down a meeting with Daniel Jubilee, Jubilee?” Cherry asks.
“Yeah, stay out of our business, Son. Now, Cherry, I don’t know if you know this, but when I first started out—"