Page 23 of Winning Match
It might be time, kid.
Fuck. I close my eyes and tip my head back, as if the position will help reabsorb my tears.
It might be time.
I’ve known it in my heart, in my gut, for months. It’s partly why I clung to Gerard, even as he started to pull away. My world is spinning out of control and Gerard was supposed to be my rock.
He knew the real version of my dad—the passionate, lively, intelligent jokester. Any man I meet now will only know an imposter. A shadow of the greatest man I’ve ever loved.
I’ve been holding up okay, doing my damnedest, to serve as COO for the past nine months. With Grandpa’s guidance, we’ve been managing, trying to keep Dad’s image intact. But it’s only a matter of time before we need to announce a change in leadership. And that time is rapidly approaching.
While Grandpa still serves as the CEO of the company, he’s nearly eighty-five years old. It was always assumed that Dad would take over when Grandpa retired. Now, that’s no longer an option. I know Grandpa wants me to fill his position but as a single, caretaking, twenty-six-year-old woman, I won’t inspire confidence in our partners and clients.
I sigh, gazing back out the window. For a heartbeat, I let my mind wander. What would it be like if I lived here? In this beautiful, bustling city of sunshine and sea?
What would my life look like if I had a circle of friends—the way Ale has Luca and Andrés?
I shake my head. The thoughts are ludicrous and yet…and yet. A bubble of daydreaming pushes away some of my uncertainty and I pull in a deep breath, calming my mounting anxiety.
I have to call the bank and book my flight home.
I tap a reply to Grandpa.
Marlowe
I’ll rebook my flight now and be home sometime tomorrow.
He replies immediately.
Grandpa
Did you connect with Costa? See if you can secure the meeting first. We need this account, Marlowe.
I sigh, about to tell him that I need to know Dad’s okay when another message comes through.
Grandpa
The Sewing Circle is helping with your father. Trust me, he would want you to stay in Spain too.
I swallow around the lump in my throat, knowing Grandpa is right.
Marlowe
It could take weeks to make a deal happen.
Grandpa
I know. But you can do it, Marlowe. You’re the future of this company—of this family. I have more faith in you than anyone in the world.
The tears I kept at bay trickle over at Grandpa’s confidence in me. Dad always had faith in my decision-making, my client interactions, my vision for the future, too.
Marlowe
I won’t let you down.
Grandpa
You never have, kid.
