“One, whatever I feel about Hakim winning the auction to buy me is my business, not yours. If I chose to forgive him for that, that’s my decision. I was the one who chose to do the auction in the first place, so I can’t complain about being bought.”
“Yes, well, that might not have been your best idea.” Patricia’s tone made it clear what she thought.
“Also none of your business. I don’t try to run your company; you stay out of mine. And two, the week is over, so it’s not an issue anymore.”
Patricia looked thoughtful, like she was considering what Lauren had to say, but her response was, “That’s not how it looked to my driver last night.”
“Oh, for the love of… Mom, who I see is none of your business.”
Patricia stood up and for the first time, Lauren heard real emotion in her mother’s voice. “But it is, Lauren. Hakim Khalif has been after my business since he expanded to California. He will do anything to hurt Sanders & Company, and that includes using you to get to me. He only bought you for that reason.”
Lauren dropped heavily into a chair, suddenly tired. “Well, of course, he was using the auction to get back at you. It was stupid and petty and he knows that.” At the incredulity on Patricia’s face, Lauren added, “Yes, he told me all about it.”
“And you believed him?” Patricia sounded like she couldn’t believe what her daughter was saying.
“Yeah, I did. He didn’t lie to me, even from the beginning. Told me exactly why he showed up at the party and bid on me at the auction. It didn’t work out the way he’d planned—once we got to know each other better, he realized this whole rivalry has been counterproductive for both of you.”
“Oh, Lauren. I know he’s charming, but you didn’t actually trust him when he said that, did you?”
“Actually, yes. He’s a good man. He’s got a definite business persona, but under all that, he’s a good person.”
“No, he’s really not. I’ve known him longer than you have, and I know for a fact that he’s only out for himself.”
“What about what you’ve done, Mother? Why didn’t you tell me about your side of this little war, hmm?”
Patricia lifted her chin. “I’ve only done what I had to in order to protect my company. And now I’m doing the same in order to protect you.”
“I don’t need your protection. I want you to promise that you will stop following me around.”
“I can’t do that, Lauren. I only have your best interests at heart, and unless you agree to cut this man out of your life, I will do whatever is necessary to keep you safe.”
Lauren couldn’t do anything but stare at her mother. Lauren knew Patricia could be cold when it came to business, but this insistence on protecting her by having her followed was unnerving. Lauren wasn’t sure what to do. She’d insisted, her mother disagreed, and they were at an impasse.
All Lauren could do was leave, so that’s what she did.
Chapter 19
Hakim
Hakim was a little disappointed to wake up without Lauren beside him, and even more so to find that she had already left the house. But her note made him smile. She’d written that she wanted to talk with him later, and that meant she was open to finding a way to be together.
Or at least that’s what Hakim hoped she meant. Being with her—being as close to her as he could get—had meant more than he could have imagined. They fit together. Going to sleep with her in his arms had been unimaginably sweet, all the more so this time because of what had preceded it.
He knew that they still had issues to deal with. Patricia wasn’t going to be happy about the two of them dating, but if Lauren was willing to risk her mother’s wrath, he would do whatever it took to support her.
Zeus met him downstairs, tail wagging, and Hakim remembered how happy the dog had been to see Lauren. He knelt down to pet him and said, “You and me both, pal.”
The dog barked once in agreement and Hakim laughed. He got food and water for Zeus and then coffee and breakfast for himself, half hoping that Lauren would come back before she went into the office, all while inherently understanding her need to be there in the wake of an almost-crisis.
He arrived early at work himself, surprising a few of the people who were normally first in. He smiled and chatted around the kitchen’s coffee pot, and wondered if maybe he shouldn’t spend more time out of his office talking to his employees.
The day was busy as usual, but time seemed to drag. Hakim finally figured out that it was because he was checking his clock every five minutes waiting for Lauren to call. By the end of the day, she still hadn’t called, so he sent her a text.