Page 76 of My Book Boyfriend
“I second,” I say. “I’ll negotiate terms with the Oasis Community Garden board, but they seem amenable.”
“This meeting is adjourned,” says our general counsel.
Everyone stands, and there’s a round of handshaking.
“I was afraid you and Rowena were not brave enough to take risks, but I was wrong,” Grandpa says. “You need to take risks in business. And maybe you need some emotion too. I want you to feel passionately about your career and this company. And I definitely don’t want to stand in the way of you dating Lily. She’s a keeper. Between the lawsuit, the protests, the press coverage, and now her infiltrating our company, I’m glad she’s going to be on our side in the future.”
Grandpa winks at me as he slaps me on the back. “Good luck with her.”
I text Lily.
Me:We approved Option A, pending negotiations with Oasis.
Lily:And you’re co-CEO?
Me:Yes.
Lily:Hurray! Congratulations! Thank you!
I turn to Rowena as the room empties out. “Shall we go celebrate?”
“I’ve got a date.” Her half-smile teases me. “And I’m sure you want to go celebrate with Lily.”
“You’ve got a date? Who?”
“You’re practically as bad as Grandpa. I need to find my own partner before he decides to try setting me up again, now that you’re in a relationship.” Rowena gathers up her files. “You’ll be the first to meet my date if all goes well. But for now, I’d rather not jinx it. Go have fun with Lily.” She leaves the room.
The room is empty. I walk over to the windows. A feeling of awe inspired by the midtown Manhattan skyline against the bright-blue sky—the glinting, glass skyscrapers, the cream sentinels of the old, distinguished guard, the shorter, red brick buildings—sweeps over me. The desires and ambitions of plucky New Yorkers crowded together, each building striving for individuality yet also contributing and co-existing, all summed up in that view.
I’m co-CEO of Strive Developers.A shiver runs through me. We really did it. Rowena and I will contribute our own vision to this city. The sun warms certain facades, leaving others in shadow. Like Fell Co. That was Grandpa’s main competitor when he started, but the company went into debt when the three brothers squabbled. And disappeared. I take a deep breath. With great power comes great responsibility. The sky suddenly darkens as the sun covers a cloud. So much authority and obligation.
I can do it. The sky brightens again as the cloud edges away.
Time to negotiate terms with Lily.
Chapter twenty-three
Lily
Weadjournouremergencyzoom meeting of the Oasis board, having approved the parameters for my negotiation with Rupert. He’ll be here in a half hour. Tiger sprawls across the empty space of my desk next to the computer, his paw on my mouse pad.
We did it.
I swing around and stare out the window at my familiar street below.
A man runs in shorts toward Central Park. The weather is getting warmer. A taxi meanders down the street as if searching for the right address. It stops at the apartment building awning a few houses down. A mom walks by the cab, holding the hand of her toddler. She leans down as if to listen to what the child is saying. We, the little people, made Goliath listen. Two pigeons alight on my windowsill and make loud, trilling sounds. Tiger gets up on his haunches, still, watching them, his tail switching, ears back.
I pet him. “We’re celebrating.”
Bella:Date with guy from stand-up. Lucky earring worked! Will be home late.
The bell rings. It’s Rupert. I buzz him in. Our tiny dining room table is clear except for two glasses of water. All set for the negotiation.
I open the door as Rupert exits the elevator. I run and hug him.
He laughs and picks me up, swinging me around. “We did it!”
I hook my legs around his waist and kiss him. Then I slide down his body, still holding tight.
