“My father built a medical supplies business, not a Chippendale’s,” I said.
“Alright. Alright. Just thought I’d ask,” she said.
“I’ll call you and let you know how it goes?” I asked before I plucked a grape from my plate.
“You better,” she said. “I want to hear all the juicy details.”
“Oh, I know. The risqué business of medical supplies. I’ll get you all the juicy gossip tomorrow,” I said.
“I’ll bring the wine if you order the pizza,” she said.
“Deal.”
“Oh! You never told me what Christian offered you for the job,” she said.
“I told you: running the back end of things,” I said.
“No, no, no. Payment, sweetheart. What’s he paying you?” she asked.
“Oh. 160K a year plus benefits. Four weeks paid vacation, two weeks unpaid sick leave,” I said.
“Holy shit, I hate you,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter, though. I should have the entire company,” I said.
“Stella.”
“Look. If Christian proves himself, then when I take the company back he can be the senior VP. But, Harte To Heart Medical Supplies should have a Harte running it. It doesn’t say Gunn To Heart Medical Supplies. We aren’t intentionally trying to injure people so they’ll use our product,” I said.
Daisy threw her head back and laughed at my comment. It was true, though! Why was someone with a different last name running the company when someone of the same last name was perfectly groomed for it? It just didn’t make sense, no matter what cryptic, cockamamie crap Christian wanted to sell me on yesterday.
“You’re a fucking mess, and you need a massage,” Daisy said.
“Well, get me into one, and I’ll show you a woman ready to receive one,” I said.
“Well, let’s hope your nails are dry in the next 10 minutes, because that’s when our appointment starts.”
“Oh, hell. Did you buy me a massage? Daisy, this is too much,” I said.
“Stella. You just lost your father. You’re dealing with some serious internal struggles over this company thing. Your boyfriend isn’t doing you any favors. I’m treating you to a spa day,” she said.
“Thank you,” I said. “Really.”
The two of us went to get massages before we headed on to an early dinner. Daisy absolutely spoiled me, and by the time she dropped me off at my home, I was ready to fall into bed and sleep. We pulled up to my home, and it seemed like such work to get from the car to the porch, so I was glad when Daisy began talking.
Until I realized what she was talking about.
“Just be careful. Your judgment of Christian is clouded by the fact that the two of you couldn’t stand each other growing up. And I can’t say I get it, but I can imagine how alone you feel right now. When I lost my mom and dad—”
I reached over and grabbed her hand while Daisy’s eyes misted over. Five years ago, she lost her parents in a house fire while the two of us were on vacation at the beach. We had decided to have a girls’ weekend and go find us some summer flings to bring home, but less than a day into the trip she got a call from the police department.
“I’m concerned that you want the company for the wrong reasons. It’s obvious you don’t want it for the glory or the money, but I’m worried you’re sinking your talons into the company so you don’t really have to let go of your dad,” she said.
“Daisy, I—”
“Just be careful,” she said.
“I will. I promise.”