Page 98 of My Ex-Fiance's Best Men
“He’s always been the emotional one,” our father says with a chuckle.
“Can you blame me?”
“No, son. I know I didn’t make it easy. “He exhales deeply, then takes another sip of iced tea. I’m not sure what Maura put in it, but maybe it played a part in this much-needed change of heart. “So, when is the due date?”
“Early next year,” I tell him. “Phoebe has an OB-GYN visit scheduled tomorrow.”
Dad nods slowly. “Just be careful, boys. The world can be a cruel place. Protect your family. And be sure to make an honest woman out of Phoebe. She needs protection in the eyes of the law. The child, too.”
“We’ve talked about it. We’re planning to make it official,” August replies.
“Who’s going to marry her? It had better be one of you two!”
“What if it’s Theo?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
“Hey. I’m fine with you two saying no to anything pertaining to the Coates business and fortune. But your kid deserves a slice of this pie when he or she gets older,” Dad says. “Give Phoebe the Coates name, and I’ll update my will accordingly.”
“Dad,” August tries to object, but I squeeze his shoulder to stop him.
“He’s got a point. We owe him that much. Besides, Theo won’t mind.”
32
PHOEBE
“Good morning, Miss Baldwin,” Mr. Terrence says as he walks into my office.
My office. It was Dad’s, then Mom’s before me, but now, it’s finally mine. And I still cannot believe it. A dream come true after so much unnecessary hardship. I let my fingers run along the edge of the mahogany desk—something I remember my father doing when he needed a moment to think.
“Good morning, Mr. Terrence,” I reply with a warm smile, then point to the guest chair across from my desk. “Please, have a seat.”
Funny enough, I remember sitting in that exact spot when I was a kid, playing with my dolls while Dad would trace his fingers along the edge as he pondered important decisions for the company. Mom was always out and about with Crystal—beauty pageants, dance classes, shopping—and I’d be left under Dad’s watchful eye. In hindsight, it was my mother’s best decision.
“How are you settling in?” Mr. Terrence asks. He’s holding a black leather dossier in his hands, ready to get the ball rollingon what will likely be an intensive and downright dramatic restructuring of Baldwin Enterprises.
I let out a deep exhale. “It’s been a couple of days. I’ve gone through all the departments, I’ve shaken all the hands. It will take a while to learn everybody’s names, but Ellie is a phenomenal PA. I’m keeping her, for sure.”
“Yes, well, Mrs. Baldwin wasn’t easy to work with, but Ellie managed somehow.”
Ellie also provided Penny and her law firm with a lot of the evidence that is now being used to prosecute my mother and sister. She’s earned her seat at the table.
I give Mr. Terrence a curious look. “I’m glad to see the executive board is so open to working with me.”
“We’d be fools not to. We were looking forward to you joining the company long before Mrs. Baldwin tried to keep you out of it,” he says. “Some of the board members sang to her tune, but only to protect their own interests.”
“Even so, I find it hard to trust them.”
“Which is why you are now the majority stakeholder. With fifty percent, courtesy of your sister,” he replies. “I assure you, there will be no trouble from us. All of the board members have been made aware that you won’t tolerate any sort of nonsense.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” I pause and laugh lightly. “Forgive me, I’m not used to being in a position of power.”
“Which is why I’m here. To make sure you carry on with your father’s legacy.” He smiles, nostalgia in his tone when he says, “I remember when you were a child, Miss Baldwin. Sitting in this chair, combing your doll’s hair, while Mr. Baldwin signedmerger documents and secured thousands of new jobs for the people of this fine city.”
I stare at him in genuine surprise. Most of my childhood memories have faded, the details having slipped away, but now that I look back, maybe I do remember seeing Mr. Terrence around, long before I became aware of him.
“Thank you for the kind words. I think we’ll get along great, Mr. Terrence. Now, let’s open that fancy dossier of yours and review the agenda for today.”
The door opens, and Ellie comes in with a coffee tray—freshly pressed French roast and two lovely porcelain cups, along with miniature milk jugs and a selection of sugars, which she places on the corner of my desk.
