Scandal and the Runaway Bride (Heirs to an Empire 1)

“It’s one of our clients, actually. He’s been with us for over fifteen years, but now he’s making noise about not renewing his contract.”

“Any particular reason?”

She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “He says it’s because he can get the same quality product cheaper elsewhere, but I don’t think that’s it. It’s no secret that Papa is ill. I think he’s worried that the company will be in trouble without Papa here. That he doesn’t trust...current management.”

“I’d laugh if I didn’t think it was absolutely possible. Some people’s opinions are still archaic. But really, what it comes down to is trust. Trust in your product and trust in you. Not Massimo, but you.”

“But I’ve been doing this job for ten minutes. Know what I mean? How do I get him to trust me?”

Will’s voice was warm in her ear. “You go see him, in person. You remind him that you grew up in this company, that you’ve worked in the family business and that you’re completely capable of sitting in that chair while your father is taking care of his health. You look him in the eye and shake his hand. And you go armed with quality samples and numbers. Make sure he knows you’ve done your homework. A face-to-face meeting can change everything.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

Will laughed. “Oh, it’s not. But you have to learn how. If you’re going to sit in the big chair you have to be worthy of it. What would your father do?”

Gabi let out a breath, knowing he was right. “He’d go see him in person.”

“Now you’re getting it.”

“But...what if I do all that and he’s still determined to leave? It’s a big contract, Will. If we lose it, it’ll hit us hard.”

Will sighed. “Sometimes that happens, too. Sometimes despite our best efforts, we fail. And so we pick ourselves up and find other solutions. You can do this, Gabi. I have faith in you.”

“More than I have in myself, obviously. But thank you for the advice. I needed some common sense, I think.”

“Of course.” He paused and then his voice softened. “And how’s your father? Doing better?”

“Home from the hospital, and thank you for asking. He’s cranky at not being able to do much, which is an improvement from before the surgery, because he was too tired and not his old self. The more he drives Mama crazy, the more relieved she is.”

Will chuckled and then sighed. “And you? How are you? Other than working all the time?”

“I’m fine.” But the truth was, she was lonely. And not lonely in general—lonely for him in particular. “And you?”

“If ‘fine’ is the same as missing you, then I’m fine as well.”

“Oh, Will.” Still, his words lit something inside her. She’d needed to hear them desperately. To know that the ache left in her chest wasn’t hers alone.

“I miss you, Gabi.”

“I miss you, too. Crazy when you think about it, but...yeah.”

“I’m terribly glad you emailed. I like to think that we’re friends. That you know I’m here for you if you need something.”

There was that word again...friends. They’d used it after the kisses in the olive grove, and for a few whole days they’d managed to not act on their desires. Until they were faced with parting. Then those cautions and assurances had gone right out the window. She probably should regret it, but she never would.

“I like that, too, Will. Everything is okay there? I keep watching the magazines and internet, but I haven’t seen anything recently. It looks as though it’s forgotten.”

“There was a brief mention somewhere about Stephen visiting you...that we might have planted. No one wants to read about rescheduling the wedding. They want a scandal.”

“If they only knew,” she said, and laughed a little. His warm chuckle came across the line and she closed her eyes, wishing she could hear it in person.

“I’ve got a meeting in five minutes, but I hope that helped,” he said, and she felt a bit of letdown knowing their conversation was coming to an end.

“It did. Sometimes it just feels as if I’m doing this alone. Your advice has given me some confidence, so thank you.”

“Will you call and let me know how it goes?”

“If you want me to.”