10. Stuart
STUART
I’m almost certain Brooke had no clue who I was when we first met.
I decide to ask anyway to watch her reaction.
It will confirm that our meeting was genuinely that of two strangers and that our chemistry was real.
I’ve been burned before by cunning women seeking financial or social status, so I just need to be certain I’ve read this situation correctly.
What I didn’t expect was for the blood to completely drain from her face. She looks like she may faint. That wasn’t my intention. I’m not even sure what it means.
Her face falls into her palms as she murmurs, “I’ve already considered resigning.
I hoped maybe you wouldn’t tell anyone that we kissed, or that I can’t handle whiskey and slept in your bed, albeit alone.
At the time, I had no idea who you were.
Now, you think I knowingly kissed a client.
I’d never do that. The problem is that I have no way to prove it. ”
I stare helplessly at her as my stomach sinks. I’ve screwed up again. Most women find me charming, but with Brooke, I keep mucking it up.
Reaching out, I gently pull one of her hands from her face and hold it in mine.
“It’s okay. I didn’t think you knew. I was half teasing—just confirming what I already believed.
I had no idea that you were so worried about what happened.
I thought you might be upset that I didn’t take you straight home.
It never occurred to me that the kiss was an issue.
I thought we both enjoyed it, brief as it was. ”
“Of course, I enjoyed it,” she whispers.
My brows furrow in confusion.
“Then what’s the issue.”
She looks at me with wide eyes as she holds her head up. “Isn’t it obvious? You’re a client. Kissing you violates all kinds of rules.”
“Then those rules need to be changed because I’d like to kiss you again,” I say, with conviction.
“No. Never. That can’t happen.” She vigorously shakes her head.
“I’m so confused. You just said you liked it. What’s the problem?” I shrug.
“It was wonderful. What you don’t understand is that I could lose my law license and my job. It’s forbidden to do anything like that with a client.”
Her words are firm. It’s the sadness in her eyes that tells me she’s not happy about saying no. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to erase her worries.
“Well, then it’s good I’m not the client. My dad’s foundation is the client. I’m not even formally affiliated with the Foundation. Dad only sent me to LA because he wanted a family member here for the events rather than just the Foundation’s board members.”
Skepticism clouds her features as she asks, “Why was it so important for you to be here if you don’t work with the Foundation?”
“It’s complicated. I’ll try to explain. First, Dad’s quite proud of this work and wants our family to be seen as promoting it. Second, he had concerns with the recent promotion and said he’d feel better if I were here to make sure it all goes smoothly.”
“You’re using one of the best PR teams in LA. What were his concerns?”
“That’s the strange part. He didn’t specify exactly what worried him.
He’s been quite ill though. The fever could be to blame for his uneasiness.
I’m not sure that he’s been thinking straight.
Even if that’s the case, he seemed truly concerned and wouldn’t relax until I agreed to attend in his place. So, here I am.”
She nods. “You’re a good son. Is your dad going to be okay?”
“The doctors assure us he will. He’s already improved quite a bit. It will just take time. Pneumonia is tough, particularly given his age.”
She smiles, reaching over to squeeze my forearm. “It must be a relief to know he’s doing better.”
“It is.”
She nods, straightening her posture as her lips thin into a neutral line and her eyes grow serious.
She’s all business now, as she says, “Jason said you would explain more about the problem the charity is addressing. Could you start by explaining how agriculture causes pollution of the water? That doesn’t make sense to me. ”
It’s time to focus on the reason my dad sent me here, so I, too, transition to business mode, explaining, “It’s easiest to answer your question with an example.
When it rains or when irrigation water doesn’t completely soak into the land, the excess water, which is called runoff, flows into nearby rivers, lakes, and aquifers.
That runoff carries chemicals and pathogens from fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste into the water supply. It’s a huge problem around the world.”
Her eyebrows lift in surprise and concern.
“That’s terrible. What’s the solution? Stop farming near rivers?” she asks.
“No. We wouldn’t want to risk a food shortage.
There are too many hungry people. Thankfully, there are other ways to address the problem.
First, we need to encourage what’s called precision farming.
It involves using the right type of fertilizers and controlling the timing of their use.
There are also specific practices for soil health to reduce runoff that contaminates bodies of water.
In addition, it’s important to use efficient irrigation and manage livestock waste.
Natural buffers such as trees and strips of grass placed between the crops and water can help.
The plants act as filters to remove pollutants. ”
“Is the Foundation’s goal to educate the farmers to make these changes?”
“That’s part of it. Dad made the movie to bring awareness to the general public.
Once they understand the problem, we hope they will demand that the government and farmers take action to protect the water.
Our concern is that the farmers won’t, or can’t afford to, make the necessary changes without external pressure and financial assistance.
That’s why the Foundation decided to take the issue directly to the public. ”
“That makes sense. How do you know so much about the issue if you don’t work with the Foundation?”
Ahh. I like that she’s turning things back to a more personal level. If she’s testing whether I’m a client, it must mean that she’s still interested in me. Hopefully, I can reassure her without mucking it up this time.
“Believe me, you can’t spend much time with my family without gaining a detailed understanding.
And once you learn more about the issues, you can’t forget.
You see, this problem goes beyond just affecting the water.
For example, the contaminated water in turn contaminates the fish.
Then we eat the fish and consume the harmful chemicals.
When my dad first learned about the issue, he became almost obsessed with finding a solution.
Eventually, he teamed up with others and formed the Foundation to address it on a larger scale. ”
“I had no idea. I bet most people don’t. Most of us think the only issues are pollution from chemical plants or oil spills. The movie will be a great way to educate everyone about the problem.”
“Let’s hope it works and that our PR firm does a good job.”
“I’m sure they will. Like I said, it’s one of the best firms in LA. Am I correct that the first fundraising event is a luncheon in Beverly Hills tomorrow?”
“That’s correct. I hope you’ll be attending.”
I’m hopeful but trying to appear nonchalant. Of course, the Foundation can insist she attend. I’d rather know that she wants to be there.
“I will. My law firm has assigned me to this charity project full time.”
That’s not exactly the answer I’d hoped for, but it will do for now, so I smile enthusiastically.
“Excellent. It sounds like we’ll be spending quite a bit of time together. I’d love to know more about you. All I know so far is that you loathe confined spaces, need to up your tolerance to good whiskey, and give the best kisses. What else should I know?”
Even I can hear the brightness in my voice.
“Maybe you can forget those things, and we can start over. I’m 27.
It’s my third year at the law firm where I specialize in corporate deals.
I’m relentless about following rules, so drinking whiskey and kissing a client are so not me.
I can’t do things like that if I’m going to achieve my goal of becoming a partner in the firm. ”
“You’re ambitious and focused. That’s impressive. Tell me more about yourself.”
“That’s enough about me for now. May I ask you a somewhat personal question?”
“Of course. What would you like to know?”
“What’s it like to grow up as a viscount?”
“I’m not sure there’s a simple answer. My obligations to my family and the Crown were dictated at my birth.
I will be Earl of Sandridge one day, regardless of whether that’s what I would have chosen.
Because of that, there are many formal protocols that I learned from an early age, specific schools I was expected to attend, and even boundaries on friendships to some extent.
The upside is that those limitations come with financial stability without the need for a traditional job. ”
“What about marriage? I thought all royals and nobles had arranged marriages by the time they’re your age.”
“These days, we’re waiting longer to marry. Still, there’s always pressure from our families to wed and produce an heir and a spare as they say. Is there someone special in your life?”
“Definitely not. Since I started this job, there hasn’t been time for much fun or a real relationship. It doesn’t really matter though. The only people I meet are related to work. And experience has taught me not to mix business and pleasure. So, at this point, I’m rather boring.”
She shrugs as if she doesn’t care that her life is missing excitement. The sad hollowness in her eyes says otherwise.
“Brooke, something tells me that under your professional exterior, you’re not boring at all.”
A wistful look crosses her face. “There was a time you would’ve been right, but enough of that. Back to business. Your dad must be incredibly disappointed to miss the premiere. It sounds like the movie is a passion project for him.”
“It is. I promised to send him photos and videos of the events so he can feel like he’s here.”
“I can help with that if you’d like. I’ll be at all the events this week—that is, if you want me to be.”
“That would be great. Let’s start with drinks and dinner tonight.”
“Very funny. We’ve already discussed this. I can’t date a client.”
“I’ve already fully explained I’m not your client. In fact, we’re both representing my dad and the Foundation this week. And based on your look of disappointment, you’d like to spend more time together as much as I would. Am I right?”
She sighs. “It doesn’t matter if you’re right. I can’t.”
“Let’s compromise. Give my invitation more thought. I’ll text you later in case you change your mind. Deal?”
“Stuart, I won’t change my mind. Umm . . . but . . . I can’t stop you from texting me.”
“Perfect. And you can go back to calling me Stu.”
Her brows further as she considers my suggestion. After a brief pause, she shrugs, saying, “I’ll stick with Stuart, if you don’t mind.”
“You can call me anything you like if you give me your number.” I wink.
“You can’t help flirting, can you?” She laughs but holds out her phone.
We quickly send each other texts and save the info in our contacts. She’s smiling, and I have her number. I’ll take that as a definite win for now.
And I’ll come up with a plan to convince her to have dinner with me tonight. Call me devious, but this woman is addictive.
I’m not giving up yet.