Josh frowns. “You want… money?”
“Half a million would do it,” Seb says. “That’ll buy my vote, no problem. I’ll even lobby for you to the others, if you’d like. Not too hard or overt, since we don’t want them wondering about my little turn of heart.”
Josh stares at him. For a long moment, I’m afraid he won’t speak at all. I feel dizzy and confused, and I’m not sure how this is going to play out.
Half a million is a lot of money. I doubt Josh has that kind of cash lying around. I know I definitely don’t, and my father probably can’t help, either.
And I don’t even know if Josh would pay Seb. Washing cars is one thing, but straight up bribery is another. I lean forward, curious about Josh’s reaction, trying to gauge him as a man.
“You want my honest response, Seb?” he says finally, his voice quiet.
“Of course,” Seb says, smiling wickedly. “Go ahead, young Josh. Speak freely.”
“I think I’ll do a lot of things for this company. A lot of unethical, shady, questionable things. But I’m not going to pay your bribe. I’m not going to pay any bribes.”
Seb laughs. “You already paid Guava.”
“I washed his cars.”
“How’s it different?” He laughs again, shaking his head. “It’s not different and you know it.”
“It’s different,” Josh says, and my heart swells. He glances at me and lets out a breath. “I bet you think this is stupid.”
“I don’t,” I say.
“Really?”
“I think it’s brave and smart.” I smile at him. “If you don’t believe in doing it, then don’t do it.”
“Okay, enough,” Seb snaps. “I hate to break up your little lovefest, but I’m getting annoyed. You’re really not going to pay me?”
“I’m really not.” Josh shrugs. “Sorry, I’m just not paying. If there’s something else I can help you with, I’m happy to make a friend. But I’m not bribing you.”
Seb leans back in his chair and laughs. He shakes his head, like he’s totally mystified. “You’re a fool,” he says. “You think your father was above throwing out bribe money? He wasn’t. I saw it more than once myself. Your father would’ve done anything for Cork.”
“And I’m not my father. I’ll do anything, to a point. I draw the line at straight bribery.”
“If my price is too high—”
“I won’t pay you a dollar,” Josh says.
Seb stops laughing. “You’re making a mistake.”
“I know you think that.”
“No, I’m sure of it. Do you really want me as an enemy?”
“Far as I can tell, you’ve been an enemy since I took the job.” Josh shrugs and stands. “At least now I know it for sure.”
“I won’t let this go,” Seb says. “I’m going to fight you if you walk out that door. I’m not going to let you turn your back on me.”
“Sorry,” Josh says. “Too late.”
He turns and leaves the office. I get up and hurry to follow him out. The last thing I see is Seb sitting behind his desk, a look of pure wonder and bewilderment on his face.
He clearly didn’t think that was going to happen. He must’ve figured he’d throw out that huge number, negotiate a little, and end up with his cash.
Instead, Josh showed me something about him.
We leave the office and end up outside. I grab his hand and tug on it, pulling him toward me. He turns and I can see the anger in his eyes.
“Hey,” I say. “You did good in there.”
“No, I fucked up.” He clenches his jaw. “I should’ve known Seb would never come to my side.”
“He was going to, but the price was too high.”
“Do you think I’m an idiot?” he asks, sounding sincere. “I mean, he’s right, washing cars isn’t so far off from paying out straight cash.”
“I think you have your morals,” I say, my voice soft. I smile up to him and the afternoon sunlight halos his face. He shakes his head and I can see the confusion in his eyes. “I think you’re a man of principle.”
“I married you to fool the board,” he says. “I washed cars for Guava. I’d do more to get my way.”
“But you have a line,” I say. “Which means you’re not totally lost.”
He sighs and looks away. I reach out, not thinking, and touch his cheek. He reaches up and grabs my hand and holds it there for a long moment before leaning forward and kissing me.
It’s soft and slow, and for the first time, I feel like it’s the kind of kiss that’s about moving somewhere else. It’s a kiss that wants to linger in itself, and he lingers on my lips, tasting me, holding me against him for a long moment.
We break apart and I stare up into his eyes before smiling. I feel a chill run down my spine as he grins.
“Come on, wife,” he says. “Let’s go home and figure out what we’re going to do from here.”