“But—”
Grandma clears her throat before I get out a word.
“Truly, if the worst thing she’s ever done is force you to extract that giant stick from your rear, she’s okay in my book. You need to relax more, and get your priorities straight when you rescue a pretty girl from a walking pile of trash.”
Damn it all.
I stare at her, folding my arms. “That giant stick has done a lot for this place, Grandma. Nick does enough relaxing for ten of us.”
“Well, he could afford to relax a little less, couldn’t he?” Grandma laughs.
He could, but that’s not the point.
I can’t help the sigh rattling out of me.
“You’re not taking this seriously. We can’t afford scandals. Roland Osprey and his tabloid goons at The Chicago Tea are always pecking at Nick’s stupid flings, and what happened with the parentals years ago...say no more. We don’t need a new employee who creates her own trouble, especially right now with Ross Winthrope.”
Another blank look.
“You know Paige Holly is a Holly, right? As in Milah Holly. I looked it up.”
Her eyes bore into me like a medusa, only she’s the unmoving stone, immune to my logic. I slurp my coffee again and shrug.
“Okay, so I went snooping, but I didn’t have to go far. Her last name came from the credentials email.”
“You’re a Brandt,” Grandma says coldly. “Remember? What’s your real problem with Miss Holly?”
“...do you know who Milah Holly is? She’s Paige’s famous pop star cousin and made national news a few years ago for—”
“Yes, dear, pop stars do that.”
“Let me finish,” I snarl. “She made the news for almost dying of several drug overdoses. Then there was this attempted poisoning and a whole gaggle of armed thugs after her sister, the author, over Milah’s drugs. You still think this Holly isn’t going to create scandal when it’s in her blood? Should we set up a contract with Enguard Security just to keep everyone in one piece?”
Grandma clucks her tongue. “Oh, Ward, if her cousins are famous, that’s all the more reason to retain her. She understands how serious bad PR can be.”
And just like that, my headache becomes a migraine.
“Are you even listening to me?” I whisper.
“Ward...” Her face softens, that single harsh line carved in her head smoothing. “Your concerns are noted. I understand what you’re saying perfectly, but I’m going to overrule you and give her a chance. She’s bright, passionate, and exceptionally creative. She’ll prove herself in this firm, or she won’t. If she doesn’t, we’ll address it based on her merits in the office.”
“And the chaos she brings before you fire her?”
“Son, everyone has a bad night now and then. I’ll let you in on a little secret,” she says, lowering her voice to a whisper. “I had a couple wild nights in my twenties too. They involved too much drinking and a very handsome man who became my husband.”
Not the mental image I need. I curse under my breath.
She leans forward. “You don’t want to know how I met your grandpa.”
From that tone, I definitely don’t.
“Enough. Point taken.”
“Besides, it’d be poor taste to rescind the offer based on something that has nothing to do with her work ethic or ability. If she’s messy, I’ll clean it up. That’s what I always do around here, isn’t it?” Her face shines with whimsy.
“No. You design buildings millions of people can’t help but love. The lights wouldn’t stay on without you.”
She shrugs. “I guess. But I’m a cleaner, too.”
“Yeah, about that. How’s the Winthrope deal going? Still trying to promise him the moon?” I ask, happy to change the subject.
“Wonderfully. We’ve scheduled our final pitch. Ross Winthrope is a careful man, if a little old-fashioned. He has an eye for reliability and exquisite work. Even top firms from around the country can’t beat our track record when it comes to the look and functionality of a world-class hotel that’s also one of a kind.” A dreamy smile spreads across her face as she claps her hands.
Gah. I’m sure it’s exhilarating for her.
She and Gramps built this company from the ground up before I was even born, and she’s always been the lightning in our storm and the shelter, too.
“And even knowing how much Winthrope values perfection, you’re willing to take a chance on a flake?” I ask. I can’t help one last try.
She flattens her hands on her desk. “If she’s a flake, then she’s the best damned flake I ever interviewed. She’s here for a reason. I can feel it, Ward. That’s how I’ve done it all these years, you know. Trusted instinct, and it’s gotten us rather far. Why stop now?”
I meet her eyes with no answer, slowly nod, and stand.
She’s hell-bent on bringing this girl in and I’ve got work to do.
For everyone’s sake, I’ll just have to hope she’s right about One Glass Holly. Grandma often makes decisions on the fly, and it’s never steered us wrong.