Page 72 of My Book Boyfriend
I glance at our general counsel. “You wrote a memo that the adverse possession and the critical environmental area designation claims were strong arguments in their favor.” I pull out the memo. “And it was addressed to you.” I slide the memo across the table to my grandfather.
The general counsel says, “We can’t be sure we will prevail, and this lawsuit could take several years. Two years might even be optimistic. I would advise settling.”
“A delay of several years would be a far greater loss than twelve million,” I say.
Grandpa harrumphs.
I gesture to Rowena to click on the next slide, showing the mock-up of the structure.
As the design comes up, Grandpa whistles. “It’s not bad.”
Not bad.That’s high praise from Grandpa. He’s warming up.
The conference room door opens as the catering staff pushes in a cart with refreshments for the coffee and tea. It’s already ten thirty. We all quiet to let her clear the dishes and replace the coffee. It’s the same silver-haired woman from earlier. Someone new. I haven’t seen her around before.
“But giving up six apartments to save a garden—I’m not convinced. Although it is a smart move to get rid of that lawsuit and the bad press,” Grandpa says.
The caterer gasps. Loudly. We all look at her.
And Lily’s eyes stare right back at me.
My mouth drops open. Lily’s eyes in a seventy-year-old face with silver hair.Is her grandmother spying on us?
What the hell?
“Is something wrong?” Grandpa asks.
“I spilled some coffee on my hand.” A low, gravelly voice emerges from Lily’s grandmother.
“Rupert, call for some ice,” Grandpa says.
She waves her hand. “No. No. It’s fine. I’ll finish setting this up and then get some ice in the kitchen.” She turns around and quickly switches the carafes and empty trays.
Very quickly. Very fluidly.
I walk over. “Let me see. We don’t want a lawsuit.”
She glances up at me, startled.
It is Lily.
“We should get this checked,” I say. “The nurse’s office is down the hall. Please come with me.” I pull her out of the room and into a small conference room next door.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“I’m so sorry.” Lily stares up at me, and her face crumples. “I know this looks really bad, but I wanted to know that you tried to save the garden. And you did. Thank you. Thank you so much.” She hugs me.
But I don’t know what to say.
She didn’t trust me.
She was spying on us.
I wouldn’t have trusted that I would save the garden either.
She’s hugging me, and I want to hug her back.
“You didn’t trust me,” I say.
