Page 36 of Cherry's Jubilee

“Oh, Cherry, I’ve been waiting for you,” he says. “I had your driver text me as soon as you got here.” He sits on the couch and pats the spot next to him. Ashley arches an eyebrow and watches. “I’ve been thinking about Cherry Cross Accounting Services, and I have a few suggestions. Ever since we were at your parents’ for that barbeque, it’s all I’ve thought about.” He rubs his hands together in anticipation. “This is the kind of stuff I love.”

Cherry brings her laptop to the couch and sits next to him.

“You need to get a life, Dad,” I throw in.

When he found out Cherry had her own accounting business, he convinced her to show him her books. They spent the rest of the day with their heads together, talking business.

“You and Mrs. Jubilee had dinner with Cherry’s parents?” Ashley asks. She’s gone completely ashen now.

“We all did,” I say, answering for my father. “Kirby and Solange were there too.”

“Oh,” Ashley says. “How nice.”

“I love how you have no overhead costs because everything is remote,” my dad says, ignoring Ashley.

“Not everything, but if a client needs to see me, I go to them. Like I am in about”—Cherry checks her watch before she says—“an hour.”

“Oh? Tell me all about it.” Cherry opens her mouth to speak, but Dad talks over her. “Now, when I first started out—" Dad begins but stops and looks up at me. “DJ, you have a meeting. Don’t be late. And I like the t-shirt but put on a suit and go. You can preen for your girlfriend later.”

“Wehave a meeting,” I remind him.

“You, Son. I’m busy.” He gestures for Cherry to hand over her laptop, and she does.

“Well, I’m so sorry to intrude,” I say, not hiding my sarcasm.

“I still don’t understand how Patrick Udunka didn’t hire you,” Dad says as he looks at Cherry’s laptop. He pulls his glasses from the inside of his suit jacket and puts them on. “I don’t get how he could have interviewed you three times and let you slip through his fingers. I would have hired you after the first.” Dad throws his head back as if deep in thought. I know that gesture. Dad wouldn’t say something like that unless he already knew the answer. “Hmm,” he says. “I’ll have to get to the bottom of that.”

“It’s okay. I’m happy where I am,” Cherry says.

“Well, I’m not,” my dad insists.

“I’ll see you all later,” Ashley says and quickly walks to the door.

“Ashley,” my dad says, and she stops walking. He doesn’t say another word until she turns around to face him. “You’re friends with Patrick, aren’t you?”

The office goes quiet. Cherry’s head snaps up as she looks at Ashley, who won’t make eye contact.

“Well, uh, we’ve chatted a few times,” she says while looking down at the floor. “I wouldn’t say we’re friends or anything like that.”

“Huh. I guess I had that wrong then,” Dad says. Dad never has it wrong. If he’s taking his time to bring it up, he’s already done his research. “You have a nice day.”

“Of course. You as well,” Ashley says before she practically runs out of my office.

“I’m thinking that I should come with you to your meeting,” my dad says to Cherry. “I’ll shadow you and give you feedback afterward. I promise not to take over.”

I catch Cherry’s eye and shake my head. “So, you have time on your schedule to crash Cherry’s meeting?” All Dad does is wave me off as if I’m nothing more than a nuisance. “He’s totally going to take over,” I warn her. “And he’s already made up his mind to go with you. He won’t take no for an answer.”

“What kind of fool would turn down a meeting with Daniel Jubilee, Jubilee?” Cherry asks.

“Yeah, stay out of our business, Son. Now, Cherry, I don’t know if you know this, but when I first started out—"

Chapter 22

Cherry

I’m the one who is late this time. My meeting went over by an hour because Mr. Jubilee had a lot to say, and lots of advice to give. My client didn’t mind, and neither did I. I can use his suggestions on most of my clients going forward. Beyond that, he says he’s only a phone call away if I need advice, and he’ll be happy to talk me through any issues. Afterward, we walk back to the building together, but he tells me to go on after he gets a phone call. I’ve met my boyfriends’ parents before, and I’ve always gotten along well with them, but I’ve never earned their respect the way I have with Daniel’s father.

I walk through the lobby and nod at security. They know me and let me inside Daniel’s private elevator, which takes me directly to his floor. I hear laughter and chatter coming from the large conference room. There are balloons, and I assume it’s Ashley’s goodbye party. I don’t see anyone until I nearly collide with her. She smirks and she blocks me when I try to go around her. I stop and wait to hear what she has to say. She takes out her phone and types something before she puts it in her pocket.

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