“I know,” I murmur as we pull up to the entrance of the hotel I’ve been staying in the past couple of months. Stopping my car behind Carter’s, I say, “Bringing in Indie Ink as investors was a good deal, Mace. I’m proud of you.”
Mason smirks at me as he pushes his door open. “Did you expect anything less of me?”
I let out a chuckle and shaking my head, I mumble, “Arrogant ass.”Once we’re all seated and our orders have been taken, Carter doesn’t beat around the bush, saying, “I recommend Logan for vice-president of CRC.”
Where Mason’s mouth pulls into a grin, I keep my face schooled. “I expected the recommendation, but I’m concerned the workload would be too much for one person. We have the trial against Senator Weinstock for embezzlement, and even though Mr. Chargill will run with it, we will need Logan’s full commitment.”
I glance between Carter and Logan while waiting for their reply.
“Lake, you just graduated in law, right?” Logan asks. “Where will you be doing your articles?”
“I wasn’t planning on doing my articles,” Lake answers. “Why do you ask?”
“If you had agreed to do your articles at CRC, then with your father still staying on for a year, we would’ve been fine with not hiring another person,” Logan explains.
My eyes dart to Lake, and I find myself holding my breath as I watch him think over what Logan just said.
“You’ll still need to hire someone once I’m done with my articles. I won’t join CRC on a permanent basis, but I’m more than willing to help ensure the senator pays for trying to embezzle funds from us.”
“Carter’s sister-in-law will be studying law at Trinity. If we can manage for four years, then she can join as my assistant,” Logan explains where his mind’s at.
“That’s four years, though,” Mason states, his eyes locking on Lake.
“I need time to think about it,” Lake says, not looking happy with the idea of working at CRC even if it’s just for a couple of years. “I can talk with my father and hear whether he’s willing to postpone retiring for four years.”
“That would solve the problem,” I agree, hoping either Mr. Cutler will stay on or that Lake will give in and join us.
“Then it’s settled,” Mason says, to bring the discussion to an end, “Lake will talk with Mr. Cutler and get back to us with the answer.”
“I wasn’t aware you have family who enrolled at Trinity Academy,” I mention to Carter to keep the conversation going.
“Mason was kind enough to help with the application,” Carter states. “I’m thankful that she’ll be able to study at your academy.”
“Will she be staying with Layla and Kingsley in The Hope Diamond?” I ask Mason. Mentioning the girls' names softens the hard look in Mason’s eyes. He’s been dating Kingsley for a couple of months now, and Layla and Falcon have been an item for almost a year. Lake recently got married as well, and I’m happy to see them all settling down.
“Layla, Kingsley, and Preston will be sharing the main suite,” Mason explains. “I had Jamie placed in Kingsley’s old suite, so she’s close to the girls.”
Jamie.
Hearing the name makes my thoughts return to the hot as hell one-night stand I had last week. It’s unfortunate that I woke to Jamie having left without bothering to give me her number. It’s not in my nature to sleep with random women, and I was honestly hoping to get to know Jamie better because she was unlike anyone I’ve met before. We spent the entire evening talking about the most random topics, and she made me laugh, which is a rare feat to accomplish. Her company felt natural, and one thing led to another with us ending up together in my suite. Her sensuality in the bedroom was another surprise. It’s a pity she chose not to keep in touch.
Forcing my thoughts back to the meeting, I ask Carter, “You’ll be at the welcoming ceremony, right?”
“Definitely. I’ll be there with my wife and children so you’ll get to meet them as well,” Carter says, then glancing at his partners and friends, he adds, “We’ll all be there for Jamie. It’s a tradition.”
Hearing that makes a smile form on my face. “Family is important. I’m glad to hear you have such a close bond with each other.”
“That’s why we invested. CRC’s standards align with ours,” Rhett says, lifting his tumbler so we can drink to our newly formed alliance. “To our future.”
“To our future,” I agree. I feel the worry which has been my constant companion since I started working at CRC ease. It helps to know I’m no longer alone when it comes to running CRC Holdings.Mason and I went back to the office after lunch, and it’s after eleven when I get back to the hotel from work. Walking into the restaurant minutes before they’ll close for the evening, I make my way over to where the piano is situated in the corner.