Flawless Desire

“Even with the company valued so highly?” she counters, but I’ve heard all the arguments before. She’s brought up selling a few times, over the years, but it’s a non-starter with me. Our families left us this company. They trusted it to us. “There’s no way I’m selling. At any price.”

“Right. Of course.” Olivia smiles again. “Always a strong hand…”

Her gaze catches mine, and I could swear her smile turns flirty. But I must be mistaken. Anything romantic between us is ancient history.

I stand. “Thanks for coming by. I should get back to it.”

“Naturally.” She follows me out, her eyes going to the empty desk outside. “How’s your new assistant working out?”

“Fine,” I reply vaguely.

Infuriating, more like.

“Good. It’s been too busy for poor Vicki for too long. Well, I’ve got to go.” She lands an air kiss on my cheek. “See you soon!”

She sweeps out the door, and I turn back, landing on the photo on my desk. I look at it again, taking in the happy faces, and the excitement clear in the air. My father, the man with all the ambition. The big dreams of making Sterling Cross a global brand.

I idealized him. I respected him.

I had no idea what he was hiding from us all.

What the hell were you thinking, Dad, leaving me this mess to fix?