Ashton Scott

Where the hell is your brain today?

“Where did we get the information from that the building was for sale?” I ask.

“Didn’t Alessandra tell you your father had made an offer on it?”

Pushing off from the desk, I nod. “Get her on the line for me.”

She doesn’t move, but rather stays where she is and watches as I walk around my desk to take a seat behind it.

“What?” I demand.

“I’m just trying to assess where we’re at with Asshole Monday. Are you good now, or do I need to get you a cup of Get Over Yourself?”

I purse my lips. Jessica will be the fucking death of me. “Just get Alessandra on the phone,” I snap, my temper fraying.

She nods. “Good.” And with that, she sashays out of the office.

* * *

“What’s up, Ashton? I’m in the middle of a meeting with a supplier, but Jessica said it was important.” Alessandra sounds distracted, but my sister is exceptionally good at multi-tasking.

“Who told you that building on Willow Street is for sale?”

She’s silent for a moment. “Dad. Why?”

“I just had a meeting with the owner and she told me it isn’t. I’m trying to figure out why she’d tell me it isn’t if it is.”

“Ashton….” Her voice holds a warning, one I’m not interested in hearing.

“I want that building, Alessandra.”

“I know you do, but I worry it’s for all the wrong reasons. Just because it holds sentimental value to—”

I cut her off, not needing or wanting to hear what she is about to say. “It holds nothing for me. I want it purely to expand my holdings.”

“Bullshit, little brother. You want it to piss Dad off and because it holds meaning to you.”

I throw the pen I’m holding down onto my desk and stand. Ignoring what she said, I ask, “Did he give you any other information about the sale?”

She sighs. “No.” After a brief pause, she adds, “Let this go, Ashton. There’s too much hurt tied up in all this. It’s eaten you up for years and if you buy that damn building, it will keep eating you up.”

I’ve made my way out to Jessica’s office and motion for her to stop what she’s doing. Ignoring Alessandra again, I mutter, “I’ll see you tonight, Aly.” Before she can reply, I end the call and give my attention to Jessica. “What meetings have I got today?”

“You’re back-to-back from ten until three, and then you’re free to go and apologise to Lorelei.” The look of expectation on her face makes it clear she wants me to do what she has said.

“Block off the rest of my day,” I direct. “And phone Lorelei to arrange another meeting, please.”

“Are we sure your mood will have improved by then?”

I turn to head back into my office. Calling over my shoulder as I leave, I say, “No one likes a smartass, Jessica.”

Her laughter floats through the air between our offices. “You do or else I wouldn’t still be here.”

The knots I’ve felt in my neck for days ease a little. If there’s one thing Jessica does well besides organising me, it’s snapping me out of a bad mood. And God knows I could do with it today. After the weekend I’ve had and Lorelei Winters putting me off my game this morning, I need Jessica to work her magic.

3

Lorelei