Page 73 of The Fix Up

“Yes, I suppose we should talk a bit more about the contracts.” Kleinberger ran a hand over his snowy white hair, then straightened the lapels of his jacket. Like Ben, he wasn’t wearing a tie, which Ben took as a good sign.

“There’s no rush,” Ben said. “You can take all the time you need looking over the changes I proposed.”

Kleinberger shook his head and gave a dry little chuckle. “Boy, you sure are different from your father. ‘Take all the time you need.’ You wouldn’t believe how seldom I hear that in business these days.”

Actually, Ben would believe it. He’d read an interview Kleinberger had done inForbesmagazine two years ago where the old man had expressed dismay at the rushed and thoughtless nature of modern business transactions. Never let it be said that CEO Ben Langley didn’t pay attention.

You learned that from Holly. Among other things.

“I’m just glad I got to spend the afternoon with you, sir,” Ben said. “I’ve really enjoyed learning more about how you and Mrs. Kleinberger built the company from the ground up.”

“Please, call me Joe.”

“Joe,” Ben repeated. “Beyond all the negotiations and business dealings, it’s been great getting to know you.”

“Likewise. Maybe once all this business is settled, Margaret and I can have you out for dinner sometime.”

“I’d like that,” Ben said, meaning it. How many times had his dad closed a deal, then closed the door on any further personal relationships with the players involved? But that wasn’t how Ben planned to run things. No way. Relationships mattered. They mattered a helluva lot, regardless of what they got you in the business world.

He’d learned that from Holly, too. He was still learning, even after a week of not seeing her.

The thought of Holly’s absence made his gut twist a little, but he shook it off to give Kleinberger his full attention as the old man spoke again.

“The contracts look great,” he was saying. “I’d like to spend a little more time with them if that’s okay, but I’m really happy with some of the changes you’ve made. The whole team looked them over the other day and we’re very impressed.”

“Good. I’m glad.” Ben cleared his throat. “I suppose we should get downstairs for the event.”

“I suppose so.” Kleinberger cast a longing look at Ben’s collection of arcade games, and Ben made a mental note to slip the guy his office key later.

Then the old man turned and nodded to the door. “Go ahead, son. Lead the way.”

The words echoed a little in Ben’s mind, taking on a meaning well beyond what Joe Kleinberger had intended.

Lead the way.

For the first time in his life, Ben Langley was sure he knew how to do that.

“Can do,” he said, and strode toward the door.

* * *

Outside in the parking lot,Holly sat in her car staring through the windshield. Her gaze focused on a smudge of bird poop above her left windshield wiper. How long had it been there? When was the last time she’d had her car cleaned?

You’re stalling. And this is hardly the right train of thought for a professional woman getting ready to crash the event of the year to apologize to the man she loves.

At least she looked good. Miriam had seen to that. Holly glanced down and smoothed her hands over her dress, willing the butterflies to stop banging around against the walls of her stomach. She was decked out in a teal evening gown that Miriam insisted made her skin glow. The hemline skimmed her knees and she wore a pair of killer heels Miriam promised would accentuate her calves.

She wondered if Ben would notice.

Her mind drifted back to that blue silk dress and her first event with Ben. It seemed like a lifetime ago. She felt the pinprick of tears in her eyes, and she ordered herself to stop thinking about that.

The past wasn’t the issue here. She was done letting old ghosts tell her how to run her life, watching them hover over her shoulder as they whispered words of doubt and deception in her ear.

Those spooky bastards could go to hell.

She was living for the present now. And the future—with Ben, if he’d have her.

What if he’s not interested?

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