Page 69 of The Art of Deception

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I scoff. “You think I haven’t seen you with Mindy in your office? Hell, Dad, this entire place knows about you andyour receptionist. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mom knows, too.”

He gulps. I don’t think anyone has ever fought him like this before. Calling him out on his indiscretions is a big deal, especially when he’s doing it during work hours. I’ve known for years that he and Mom weren’t working. Hell, Mom’s probably diddling the pool boy for all I know.

Their marriage is a front for the company, that’s all.

Mom gets her lavish lifestyle, and Dad has a supportive wife on his arm to show off at fancy dinners. I bet they don’t even sleep in the same room anymore.

“This doesn’t give you an excuse to be lax about your duties, Alex. You’re the Chief Operations Officer, and if you want to take over from me and be the CEO when I retire, you need to step the hell up.”

I take a breath and nod. “I know… but we’re going to need to talk about my work hours. I can’t be as flexible as I was. I want to have time with them too. I can’t live for this place anymore. I can’t do what you did and live at work, ignoring my family.”

He grunts. “That’s what you think I did, ignored you while you were growing up?”

I shake my head. “Work is important, but my family means more. That includes you and Mom making time for us to come over and spend time with you as well.”

A slow smile crosses his face. “Well then, bring this Tomi girl over to meet us on Saturday night. Just you and her. I need to see what she’s all about before I can condone this union.”

I stifle a laugh. “Doesn’t matter whether you condone it or not, we’re together. Nothing you can say or do will change that fact, Dad.”

“Yes, but for how long? How long until she takes everything you own, leaving you to pick up the pieces of your fragile heart, and I have to fill your bank account back up?”

My lip curls. “That’s not what this is. Tomi isn’t like that. And since when have you everfilled my bank account? I have money, lots of it, but I have worked damn hard for it.”

Dad rolls his eyes. “Everywoman is like that, son. Mark my words, she’s after your wallet… but bring her Saturday night. I’ll make up my own mind.”

“Fine, but don’t be an ass to her.”

He turns, heading for the door. “Me? An ass? I don’t know how to be one, Alex,” he argues, then storms out of my office, slamming the door on his way out.

I sink back against my desk, hating that I didn’t get the chance to tell him I’m going to be a father. But maybe that’s best coming from Tomi and me.

It’s our story to tell.

As a team.

Telling my parents together might also soften the blow.

Maybe.

I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

For now, though, I need to tell Tomi that we have a dinner date on Saturday night. Two nights from now.

So, I pick up my desk phone and dial her cell. It rings a couple of times, and she answers soon after.

“Hello, Tomi speaking.”

A slow smile crosses my face. “That was very professional.”

She giggles. “I didn’t know the number, and if the school calls, then I have to be… you know, pleasant.”

I sink back into my chair, feeling calmer from simply hearing her voice. “How’s your morning?”

She exhales. “I was searching for OBGYNs ’cause we’ll need one of those. A good one.”

“Don’t factor in cost, Tomi. If you find one that’s expensive, we’ll go to that one as long as that’s what you want. My money is our money now.”

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