“That’s very kind of you,” she says breathily. Like she can’t quite believe what I’m saying.
Oh, believe me. I mean every word.
“Tonight it is then. I look forward to it.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Lucy
I can barely believe the day I’m having. It’s my first day as an intern for my dad’s biggest rival, and he’s asked me out to dinner?
This is what I wanted though, right? I wanted a way to get closer to Wyatt.
I wanted a chance to get him alone and explore these feelings I’m having. And really, I should be grateful for this opportunity, grateful that Wyatt seems to be having similar thoughts.
There’s no chance this invitation is innocent. I mean, I’m almost certain that Wyatt doesn’t take his interns out for dinner. No boss does that kind of thing. He said he’s doing this to talk about my job prospects, but I get the feeling this is about something more. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I feel like he’s setting us up for a date.
In theory, this is good, but in practice, it’s bad. I’ll have to tell my dad where I’m going, and I’m pretty sure he’s going to push his agenda. He’ll want to grill me for company secrets the second I get home. But do I even want to go home when I might get an opportunity to go somewhere quiet with Wyatt and give in to my wildest fantasies?
I’m getting way ahead of myself.
It’s just dinner.
For all I know, Wyatt really does want to talk about work. If he’s anything like my dad, then his company is the center of his universe. Maybe he really does just see potential in me and he wants to see what I’m capable of, maybe recruit me to be a part of the future of his company. If that’s the case, then I’m getting way too invested in this for nothing.
But I guess I won’t know unless I go. I’m going to have to try and gauge what’s going on while we’re at dinner. But first thing’s first…I have to tell my dad where I’m going.
It’s my lunch break and Wyatt has retreated to his office to make some calls so I have a chance to call my dad. He picks up after the first ring.
“Hello, darling. Any news?” he asks eagerly. I almost sigh. Any normal parent would ask how my internship or day is going, ask if I’m having a good time, what I’m learning…but all dad is interested in knowing is how well I’m spying on his rival. It sends a twinge of annoyance through me, but I force myself to shove it aside for now.
“Well…I’m going for dinner with Wyatt tonight. He wants to talk about my future in business, he thinks I have a lot of potential.”
“Well, he’s not wrong. But obviously, you have no future at Callaghan Industries. As soon as you’re done spying on the enemy, I’m getting you out of there.”
I say nothing. I don’t tell him that actually, I’m enjoying my time here so far. The other employees seem nice, and I’ve had a chance to be independent here. I don’t mention that in many ways, I’m dreading working for my dad’s company or even taking it over someday. Not because I’m not passionate about the work, but because I don’t want my successes to be measured by my dad’s legacy.
I’m better than that.
I’m smart enough to do whatever I want. I don’t need to simply inherit an already established company that practically runs itself.
But I say nothing because that’s the arrangement between my dad and me. He tells me what to do and I obey blindly, no matter what it costs me. It’s worked for us so far, but I’m beginning to tire of it all.
“Sure thing, Dad.”
“I want you to grill him for as much information as you can get,” he says, with an eagerness in his tone I hate. “Anything below the surface that I wouldn’t be able to find out any other way. I’m counting on you, darling. Dig deep. See what gold you can unearth.”
“What makes you so sure there’s gold to dig up?” I ask, scowling even though he can’t see me. “What if he’s just better at what he does than you?”
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that. Of course, he’s up to something! And you’re going to find out what. This is important, darling. Our company depends on it. Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet?”
Guilt washes over me.
I know that I should be fighting in my dad’s corner at any and every opportunity. He’s family, after all. But somehow, this whole thing seems so wrong. Not just because I’m falling hard for Wyatt, but morally too. I should never have agreed to this. I’m only seeing now just how far my dad is willing to go for business and I don’t like where this is heading.