Chapter 53

fifty-three

DANIEL

"You look like death warmed over," Patrick Devlin said from the doorway. "When was the last time you had a decent meal?"

I looked up from my computer. "Have you been speaking to Owen?"

"It's just as well I have." Patrick placed a bag of takeout in the middle of my desk. "It doesn't look as good as your grandmother's Sunday roast, but it should taste all right."

As usual, Granddad was understating the obvious. The logo on the bag belonged to one of the top restaurants in Manhattan. If it were anything other than a five-star meal, I'd be shocked.

I opened the bag and sniffed. "Roast beef, Parmesan-coated roast potatoes, and, if I'm not mistaken, something seasoned with garlic and fresh mint."

Patrick grunted. "At least your Ivy League education wasn't wasted." He placed a picnic basket on the chair and took out two plates and a pile of cutlery. "It's after eight o'clock, and I haven't had anything to eat, either. You can serve."

Granddad never came to the office with dinner. "What did Owen tell you?"

"Enough to know you're not taking care of yourself. Did the board renew your contract?"

"I thought you would have been the first to know."

"That's not how it works." Patrick handed me a plate. "I'll have two potatoes."

I opened the first container. The garlic crust on the thick, juicy slices of beef made my stomach rumble. "My contract was renewed for another five years."

"Congratulations."

I glanced at Granddad before opening the container of roast potatoes. "You don't sound surprised."

"They would've been crazy to let you go."

"That's not what you've been telling me for the last six months."

Patrick sighed. "I made a mistake."

My eyebrows rose. That was the first time Granddad had admitted he wasn't always right. I should have been angry or, at the very least, annoyed at the stress he and the board had created, but I wasn't.

After spending the last two weeks knowing I'd destroyed any chance of a relationship with Ben, all I felt was numb. My job, my life, and even my future didn't matter if he wasn't part of it.

With a heavy heart, I handed Granddad the dinner plate. "Help yourself to the vegetables."

Patrick sent me a concerned look but didn't say anything.

I chose what I wanted for dinner and sat in one of the comfy sofas opposite my desk. "Is Owen joining us?"

"Not tonight. He's searching for a teenage girl who was reported missing last night."

If I needed another reason not to eat anything, that would do it. My brother owned a company called Lost and Found. Some of the cases they handled were heartbreaking.

Before Granddad sat down, he reached into another bag and handed me a takeout cup. "This is for you. It comes highly recommended."

I took off the lid. "Hot chocolate?"

"It was your grandma's cure-all for when you were worried or sad about something. It looks as though you need it."

My hand trembled as I placed the cup on the table. Pressing my lips together, I tried to stem the flow of hot tears building in my eyes. Grandma had meant the world to all of us, and, right now, I desperately needed one of her hugs.

Patrick cleared his throat. "This isn't about work, is it?"

Using the heel of my hands, I wiped my eyes. "I'm exhausted, that's all. I haven't had much sleep."

Granddad patted my shoulder. "When did you last talk to Ben?"

"Two weeks ago. I tried calling him, but he's either not home or not answering his phone."

"Has he pulled out of the contract?"

I shook my head. "He's still working on the collection. The person I asked to be his liaison is impressed with what he's done. The marketing team will start promoting his first collection in January."

"They'll catch the Valentine's Day market."

"That was the plan."

Patrick studied my face before picking up his cutlery. "Owen told me you'd made other plans, too."

I didn't know what my brother had told Granddad but, at a guess, I'd say he'd told him everything. "I told Ben I love him, that I'd like him to be my boyfriend."

"What happened?"

"A reporter told him about Emanuel. She also told Ben about our decision to make him the face of our prestige store."

"I'm assuming he wasn't happy?"

"Ben told me I'd betrayed his trust, that he couldn't forgive me for what I'd done to his father."

Patrick's knife and fork froze above his dinner. "It wasn't your fault."

"It doesn't matter. I was the chief executive. I decided to go ahead with the trial."

"No one knew what would happen once the media got hold of the story. Ben seems like a level-headed person. Surely he realizes you weren't responsible for the fallout from the charges."

"His family was left with nothing."

"And his mom died not long after they moved to San Francisco." Patrick left his dinner, untouched, on the table. "I don't know what to say."

I handed Granddad the cup of hot chocolate. "Have a drink. I've heard it helps you feel better."

"Did it help you?"

"No, but having you here does. Thanks for coming, Granddad."

With a heartfelt sigh, Patrick stood and wrapped me in a hug. "I'm not as good as your grandma at showing you how I feel, but I love you."

"I know you do." I closed my eyes and memorized the feel of Granddad's arms wrapped around me. The last time we'd hugged each other was at Grandma's funeral.

When we separated, Patrick had tears in his eyes. "Mary used to tell me I had the roar of a lion and the heart of an angel. Your grandma saw through my gruffness when a lot of people couldn't. I might be eighty-five years old, but it's time I changed."

The determination on Granddad's face worried me. "You're not going skydiving, are you?"

"Skydiving? Good grief, no. I might be ready to turn over a new leaf, but I'm not crazy. I'm going on a vacation."

I waited for Granddad to say something else, but he sat in his chair, looking incredibly pleased with himself. "A vacation?"

Patrick picked up his knife and fork. "That's right. I've heard it's the best way to get in touch with your feelings. I'm not combining it with any business meetings or market research. For one week, I'll go somewhere I've never been and have fun."

My eyebrows nearly shot off the top of my head. It sounded as though Granddad was going through a midlife crisis. Except he was about thirty years too late. "Where are you going?"

"I've got no idea, but I'll think of something before Sunday."

I cut a slice of beef and pushed it onto my fork. Granddad was never spontaneous. Everything, right down to what day of the week he went grocery shopping, was planned with military precision. "You do know it's Friday."

"Of course I know what day of the week it is. Now tell me about Ben. How are you going to woo him back?"

I nearly choked. Granddad had never asked about any of my boyfriends.

"Well?" Patrick asked. "You must have one or two ideas you want to try."

"I'm not sure Ben wants to be wooed."

"Nonsense. Everyone wants to feel special, and Ben's no exception. He's a bright, intelligent, and beautiful young man. If you don't do something, he'll fall in love with someone else."

My heart sank. "Does Owen know you're getting in touch with your feelings?"

"Not yet, but I'll make sure I see him before I leave Manhattan. Someone needs to talk with him before he turns into a replica of you and me."

"I turned out all right."

Patrick's smile was full of pride. "Of course you did. You're a chip off the old block."

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Thank goodness Granddad had Owen on his radar. That would give him something to focus on while I concentrated on Ben.

Because Granddad was right. Ben would fall in love with someone else if I didn't show him he could trust me.