Page 100 of One Bossy Date

“Very detailed, that’s for sure.” Of course, Damon, the Chief Technical Officer of Humphries would point this out. “You’ve obviously put a lot of thought into this.”

“Makes it seem almost entirely possible,” Oliver said, winking at his brother. Being the Chief Financial Officer, his trepidation made sense. Miles, however, was much more positive, waving him off.

“Dax, your marketing ideas were sick,” Miles said, smiling at my brother and offering him a fist-bump. Dax walked up to join us, while my mom, Andrea, and Charles stood chatting at the other side of the table.

“Oh, well, it’s ideas to throw around,” Dax said. He was genuinely smiling though, and it seemed like maybe he had enjoyed himself.

“Which we most definitely will. Thanks guys,” Oliver said confidently.

During this meeting, Dax had revealed a detailed marketing strategy and his deeper knowledge of green construction in a way that made it relatable to our clients. I believed it could have been the unconventional nature of the Humphries that’d given him a sense of home, making him more comfortable at the same time. I recalled one of his main deterrents during a conversation we’d had where he’d expressed hating the thought of sitting in a boardroom full of people in their eighties, just like we’d had to do when our father ran Windham’s.

That hadn’t ever been anything he was interested in.

Well, this boardroom was the complete opposite and right up his alley. Men our age attended, some covered in tattoos, wearing shirts with rolled-up sleeves, and no ties—much like him.

As soon as I had that thought, the conversation moved on to something much less professional.

“So.” Miles clapped his hands together. “Our father mentioned that you two love to haul ass on your motorcycles?”

Charles looked over from where he stood with my mom. “That’s not exactly how I said it, son.”

“We do,” I agreed, chuckling at the expression on Charles’s face. He shook his head at Miles with a look that said, “Lord, give me patience.”

“We’ll have to arrange a group ride together then,” Miles said. “All three of us head out most Sundays.”

“All right.” Dax grinned. He, of course, made friends very easily, and he jumped at the chance to expand his group. “We usually take the highway up north.”

“Yeah. We’ve probably passed each other multiple times then.”

The conversation carried on and plans were made to ride together in the new year. I left out my intention to leave for Chile though.

I thought it best not to say anything to anyone until everything was finalized.

34

ANDERS

“Oh, my word, Anderson. What anincrediblepresentation.”

My mom reached up and kissed my cheek. We’d said our goodbyes to the Humphries and were now outside the building, waiting for our respective cars. “Charles wasveryimpressed. Well done, honey. I’m so proud of you. I should have listened to you from the start. You put so much time and effort into it. Your speech was smart, efficient, and goal oriented. The whole project really is a fantastic business idea and screams zeitgeist.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

She beamed, squeezing my shoulder affectionately. “Listen, remember what I said in your office?” I drew in a breath, waiting for my next talking-to about Zoe. “Just keep me in the loop, okay? I really want to be involved. Let me know the moment wedding plans start.” She turned to leave with Andrea, then paused and faced me again, speaking a bit more softly now. “Oh, and honey, please let me know how the next doctor’s appointment goes. Poor Zoe must be feeling her pregnancy by now. I hope she doesn’t suffer any morning sickness.”

Fuuuuuck.

“You’ll be the first to know, Mom.” I kissed her goodbye. It truly sucked to still be unable to tell her the truth. Zoe was, of course, perfectly fine, and that fact on its own would soon be a dead giveaway.

Dax appeared from the front doors and approached me. “That went well.”

I smiled and pulled him in for a quick hug and pat on the back. “You did well in there. I’m proud of you, man.”

He returned the smile. “Yeah, I know, bro. Thanks. You weren’t too shabby yourself.” He winked and walked down the street.

“Hey,” I called out. “Don’t you want a lift?”

“Nah, man.” He shook his head and grinned widely. “My bike’s parallel-parked around the corner.”

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