Page 76 of Strictly Business

“Michaela, why would I be mad?” Nina laughs. “Finn is a great guy, a little rough around the edges and kind of a dick sometimes, but I adore him. And he seems completely infatuated with you.”

I bite down on my bottom lip.

“Have you spoken to Josh?” Her brow quirks and hearing my brother’s name makes my stomach sink. I haven’t spoken to Josh since he left my condo a week ago. Mom called to check on me a few days later but made no mention of him or about knowing what happened. “I’m going to take the look on your face as a no.”

“He was pretty upset when he found out.”

“Can you blame him?” Nina takes a sip of champagne. “How would you feel if your little sister opened the door half-naked at your best friend’s house?”

“He didn’t have to punch Finn.”

“So the bruise was from Josh, I had a feeling.” She taps her finger on her glass, she steps towards the doorway eyes roaming over the room. They land on Nick who beckons her to the stage. “We’ll finish this conversation later, okay? Come to my office at corporate on Tuesday morning.”

“Not Monday?”

“Kai will want to be there. He can’t do Monday.” Nina glances over her shoulder again to meet Nick’s impatient stare. “Tuesday, okay?” She squeezes my hand gently before disappearing into the crowd.

I thank the bartender for the glass of champagne turning to face the sea of people. A petite man in a pastel pink suit steps up to center stage. Jeremy, Finn’s new assistant, taps the microphone gaining the attention of the audience. He introduces himself and begins thanking everyone for coming with open pockets to support the foster youth of the area. I wade through the crowd to get closer to the stage because once Finn is done with his speech, I’m sure he will want to get the hell out of dodge. I find my place on the outskirts of the room leaning back against the wall with a clear shot of the stage. Finn scans the crowd until his gaze lands on me. I watch his shoulders rise and fall with a deep breath. “Good luck,” I mouth and smile before Jeremy introduces him on stage.

He’s nervous, I can tell by the way his voice wavers slightly at first, but most people probably don’t notice. I keep my eyes on him half-listening to the story he tells, I’ve only heard it one hundred times in the past two days, until I notice Oliver walk by, Hayley on his heels. He talks to an older couple in hushed tones, and I try to control myself, it’s not my business. Whatever they are talking about in such a secretive manner is not my business. I try to stay focused on the man on stage, but I’m too nosey and something is telling me to follow.

I keep a distance between us and hand my half-empty glass to a server who walks by. They stop short of the entrance to the lounge, and I stop another waiter who carries a tray of fresh glasses. I turn my back to them, and it looks like I’m watching the stage, but my attention is focused on the conversation behind me.

“He’s had a good turnout tonight,” the other man says.

“Thanks to Davina,” his wife scoffs.

“Now Gladys, that’s not fair.”

“Let’s not pretend it’s not true,” Oliver chuckles. “He wouldn’t have been able to do this without her. That boy should’ve never been able to pull this off and yet somehow he did.”

My jaw tightens. Oliver is such an ass.

“I think we all know how he did it, I’m just curious as to why. I can’t think of one thing he could offer Davina in exchange for her help.”

I keep my eyes on the man onstage — he’s more comfortable than he was minutes ago, wooing the crowd with jokes and flirtations.

“I mean, I told you why he did this, didn’t I, Gary?” Oliver asks.

Gary and Gladys, how original.

“I’m sure, but I don’t remember,” Gary hums.

“One too many bailouts. I told him to shape up or I was taking the money. He’d gotten into some trouble, real trouble down in Mexico, and I had to pay to make it go away, again.”

My heart drops.

Taking the money.

The whole thing, all of it, was all so Finn could keep his inheritance. I swallow the lump forming in my throat. No, that can’t be right. He cares about the kids, he wanted to do this for them…

“I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the help of some very special people,” Finn’s voice breaks through their conversation. “First and foremost, Davina, you’ve been instrumental in making this whole thing a success.” A bright spotlight shines in her direction, but I can’t see her. I can imagine the look on her face though, she hates being called out like that. Hates the spotlight being put on her unless she wants it.

“He went to Davina because he knew she’d made sure it happened,” Mr. Sheffield continues.

Nina knew? No, there’s no way. She would’ve told me.

“You taught me so much about being a business owner. I am eternally in your debt,” Finn continues.

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