Page 63 of Second Quarter Comeback
Her expression softens. “I get it. That’s why I’m here. I believe in what you’ve built. I want to help, not change it.”
Ben, who’s been watching us with his usual air offeline superiority, lets out a small, judgmental meow, as if to say,Well? What’s your decision, human?
I glance at Ben, who’s now licking a paw like he’s preparing a judgmental closing argument, then back at Scottie. Maybe, just maybe, she’s the ally I’ve been waiting for—the unicorn in a sea of suits who actually gets it.
“I want to do it,” I say carefully, meeting her steady gaze. “But I think it’s something we’ll need to discuss with lawyers first. I want to make sure everything’s airtight before we move forward.”
Scottie nods, already reaching into her sleek leather bag. Of course she came prepared. She pulls out a pristine folder.
“This is my proposal,” she says, sliding it toward me with the kind of finesse that makes me wonder if she practiced it in front of a mirror. “Take your time. Go through it, show it to your lawyer, and add anything you think is necessary. Or, if you’d rather, we can set up a meeting next Monday and go through it together. Whatever works best for you.”
I pick up the folder, feeling the slight chill of the leather against my fingers. This feels real.
“That sounds good,” I say, flipping it open to scan the first page. It’s as organized as I expected, down to the bullet points and color-coded highlights. “I’ll go through it and draft some modifications.” I glance up. “Monday’s not great for me, though. I have back-to-back surgeries all day.”
Scottie raises an eyebrow, impressed. “Surgeries? And here I was thinking you couldn’t get more badass.”
I laugh softly, setting the folder back down. “It’s not as glamorous as it sounds, believe me. But how about Tuesday? Anytime after one works for me.”
“Tuesday it is,” she says, her lips curving into a confident smile. “You won’t regret this, Camille. I promise.”
As she gathers her things, the tension I didn’t realize I was carrying starts to ebb away. For the first time in weeks, maybe months, it feels like I’m not fighting this battle alone. There’s a glimmer of hope—a partnership that doesn’t come with strings wrapped in red tape or veiled ultimatums.
Scottie pauses by the door, glancing back at me with a knowing look. “And, Camille . . . I hope things between you and my brother work out.”
Her casual delivery is anything but. My head tilts, my eyebrows raising in automatic defense mode. “Scottie, I?—”
She cuts me off with a shrug, her expression softening. “I’m not saying it should be easy for him. He’s an idiot. Make him grovel. Make him really work for it. He deserves that. But he was . . . pretty broken after what happened. It’d be nice to see him happy again.”
My throat tightens, and I swallow hard, unsure how to respond. “And if things don’t work out?”
Scottie hesitates, her smile turning wistful. “I hope they do. But if they don’t, it won’t interfere with this.I’m a businesswoman, Camille. I know how to separate my personal life from my professional one. Can you?”
Her question hangs in the air like a challenge.
I straighten my shoulders, feeling the weight of her gaze. “I can.”
Scottie studies me for a beat longer, as if testing the truth of my words, then nods. “Good. Then we’re fine.”
She opens the door, letting a soft breeze waft in from the hall. “I’ll see you Tuesday,” she says, her tone lighter now. “And it was nice meeting you, Ben.”
Ben flicks an ear but doesn’t look up.
As the door closes behind her, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. The living room feels quieter now, like it’s taking a moment to reset. I glance at the folder on the table, then at Ben, who finally decides to grace me with his attention.
“Well?” I ask him, collapsing onto the couch. “What do you think?”
He stretches luxuriously, his tail flicking as he stares at me with those half-lidded eyes that scream,You’ll figure it out—or you won’t.Either way, feed me.
A small laugh escapes me not sure why. Maybe it’s because Scottie seems genuine. Maybe it’s because she understands the vision I’ve been clinging to for so long. Or maybe it’s because, for once, I don’t feel like I’m standing on this island alone.
Either way, I have a lot to think about. But for tonight? I’ll take the win.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Killion
How to Outplay Your Brother
