“So, what happened?”
“A girl.”
“Isn’t that what always happens?”
“Not like this. This was a deep betrayal I didn’t think I’d ever get over.”
“You’re having meetings now, though. Obviously, you got over it, at least a little.”
“I’m not so sure.”
“Why not?”
“He wants something I’m not prepared to give.”
Okay, this talking-in-code stuff is getting a little old. So apparently, Matthew and my cousin were friends long ago and now Matthew wants something from him.
Then it hits me.
I am so dumb.
The puzzle pieces all click into place, suddenly, and I realize that I’ve been totally out of the loop.
“Wait a minute,” I sit up straight. “He’s the friend you were talking about before, the one who owns Ridge Construction.”
“Yeah,” Alastair nods sadly. “He wants us to collaborate on a new project.”
“The community growth project.”
“Yep.”
“And you don’t want to.”
“It’s complicated, Cass.”
“Well, your schedule is empty, so I’m pretty sure we’ve got all fucking day, cousin, but you’d better start talking because right now it kind of just seems like you’re being a pretentious dick.”
He looks up at me sharply.
“Sorry, but it’s true.”
“No, you’re right,” he agrees. “And the reality is that it’s time for me to start standing up for myself. It’s just that the wedding is so close and things with my dad are so complicated.”
“How are they complicated?”
“Dad doesn’t want me to have anything to do with Ridge Construction.”
“Because he hates everything,” I roll my eyes. “Dude, your dad’s a joke. We all know this. He might be the mayor of this town, but that’s the extent of his power, Alastair. He doesn’t own your company. You do.”
“Well, he’s threatening to cut me out of his will if I continue working on any sort of relationship with Ridge Construction.” He says the words flatly, as if that explains everything, and as though he has no choice in what happens next.
I stare at my cousin, blinking.
“So?”
That’s it?
This is about money?