Page 62 of The Activist and Her Billionaire

Brody gets my drift and finishes my thoughts for me.

“For a business park to work, there needs to be businesses looking for space to set up or to relocate. “And right now, that is a thing of the past. No longer can we operate by relying on the ‘Build It And They Will Come’ mentality.”

“Exactly. As my astute receptionist put it, like filing cabinets and big ol’ wooden desks. Everything is electronic. Brick-and-mortar offices are going to be obsolete. Look at us - Zoom is our meeting space more often than not,” I say.

“It’s crossed my mind,” he admits. “I won’t lie. With the pandemic being over, people aren’t returning to the office. Adrianne is going to have to find another niche to invest in.”

“It won’t be with us. Can you look over the papers?” I ask. “Is there a way?”

“To knife her in the back?” Brody says. “As long as my paychecks keep coming, I’ll wear a tutu and dance Swan Lake for you.”

“Thanks, Brody,” I murmur, shaking my head. “I can’t unsee that.”

“And just like that,” Brody doublechecks me. “We’re going to change our direction?”

“I think we are,” I say.

“I’ll be reviewing the grounds for dissolving the partnership,” Brody says. I think the provision for paying the investors off will work, although Adrianne will squawk. Hopefully, the idea that it makes no sense to build office buildings, which theoretically makes her investment worth less, will outweigh her strange obsession with you, and she’ll go peacefully.

“Keep this under your hat until I have a plan of action. No pillow talk with Miss November.”

“Who?” I ask.

“Just a Playboy reference – didn’t your dad read Playboy magazines?” he answers, flashing a big, broad smile. “You are the luckiest bastard on the planet. Everything always goes your way.”

“I want a moratorium on any demolition,” I say. “I’ll tell Rory myself. I don’t think I am going to tear anything else down. At least not yet. Have you been inside it?”

“We’re talking about the Calypso, right?” Brody smirks.

“Of course,” I say, not following. “What did you think I was talking about?”

“Never mind,” he says, waving me off. “Crude joke.”

I light up. “Brody, swear to God!” I yell at the top of my lungs. I grasp the computer screen like I am grabbing him by the shoulders. “No more wisecracks about Brynne, do you feel me?”

“I do,” he says, visibly disturbed. “I am just not used to you being serious about a woman. It’s going to take me a minute to get on board.”

“No more chances,” I say, still crazed. “That was it! Next one, and you’re out!”

“You don’t want to build a business park, and you don’t need business counsel,” he says, his voice trembling like he’s going to cry. “You going to retire?”

I suddenly want to find Brynne, hang out with Todd, and camp at the Calypso. I feel like this amazing life I made for myself is no longer satisfying. I don’t want to be in this role anymore. “I am just trying to get in touch with what is important,” I say, finally coming down off that tidal wave of anger.

“You’re that serious about her?” he asks.

“Yeah, I think I am,” I say in a low tone.

“Got it, boss,” he says. “I’m happy for you. I’ll go over the partnership papers ASAP.”

I ended the video connection with Todd and made another call to Brynne. Her phone goes straight to voicemail. I surface from my office. Gretchen regards me strangely.

“Did you hear that?” I ask, trying my best to laugh it off.

She nods mutely.

“It will be okay,” I say, dying to tell her I think I’ve changed my mind. But I want Brynne to be the first to know. And even that, I have to think about. I don’t want to make her a promise I can’t keep.

“You don’t happen to know where Brynne is, do you?” I asked Gretchen, grasping for straws.

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