Tell me how we can help you, said Suzanne. Her expression invited confidence.
Id like to build new office. For me. Right here.
Suzanne waited for a moment, but Angelica didnt offer anything more.
Okay, said Suzanne, gazing around at the polished beech wood paneling and the picture windows on two sides of the room. I have always loved this space.
Itll give me some extra light in the morning, said Angelica, repeating the rationale shed decided to use for the move.
Light is good.
And J.D.s old office is closer to the floors reception area, so itll make a more convenient boardroom. It was another perfectly plausible excuse that had nothing to do with Angelicas real reasons for making the switch.
Boswell had a tablet in his hand and was already making notes.
Anything in particular you want to keep from J.D.s office? asked Suzanne. Furniture pieces? Art?
Nothing, said Angelica.
The twitch of Suzannes mouth betrayed her surprise at the answer.
Maybe keep the historic Big Blue mural, Angelica added, rethinking the sweeping decision. It can hang in the new boardroom.
The painting of the Lassiter ranch in Wyoming had hung in J.D.s office for over a decade. Moving it would cause talk and speculation, possibly even more speculation than Angelicas moving her office to the opposite end of the thirtieth floor.
She wasnt turning her back on her roots. And, despite what the tabloids had surmised, she had forgiven her father. Or at least she would forgive her father, eventually, though maybe not all at once. Emotionally, she had to sort some things through first.
Thats it? asked Suzanne. Her tone was neutral, but it didnt quite mask her surprise. Some of J.D.s pieces were very valuable antiques.
We can put the rest in storage.
Certainly. Did you have any initial thoughts on your office?
Lots of natural light, said Angelica. I like the fresh feel of the atrium, so plants for sure. Not ultra-modern, no chrome or anything. And I dont want bright white. But definitely lighter tones, neutrals, earth tones perhaps. She paused. Am I making any sense?
This is all good, Suzanne assured her. It gives us a nice starting point. Now, youve got plenty of room in here. Youll want a desk area, a meeting table, and a lounge area. Would you like us to include a wet bar? A private washroom?
Only if you can do it discreetly. I want it to look like a business office, not a playboys downtown loft.
Suzannes alarm showed on her face. Oh, no. It wont look anything like that.
It would be nice to be able to offer refreshments.
Done, said Suzanne. And well make it discreet, I promise.
The door opened and Becky appeared again. Ms. Lassiter? Sorry to interrupt. But your three oclock is here.
Well get out of your way, said Suzanne. Would the end of the week be soon enough for some mock-ups?
End of the week is fine, said Angelica.
Shed rather have the mock-ups in the next ten minutes, but patience was one of the characteristics she was practicing at the moment. Patience, composure and a work-life balance.
Before his sudden death, her father had complained that she worked too hard, that she needed balance in her life. When hed taken away her position at Lassiter through his will, shed been forced to reevaluate her balance.
Shed made progress, and shed promised herself to give it a fair shot. She was even thinking about taking up a hobby, and maybe a sport. Yoga, perhaps. People who did yoga seemed very serene.
Well be in touch, said Suzanne as she and Boswell left the boardroom.
The door closed behind them, and Angelica took a moment to focus on her composure. Her next meeting was with her close friend Kayla Prince. Kayla was engaged to Lassiter Media account executive Matt Hollis, so shed been along for the ride on the family discord over the past five months.
Angelica knew that many of the Lassiter Media executives worried shed put the company at risk by working with corporate raider Jack Reed and attempting to contest the will. And her recent single-minded focus on regaining control of the company meant she hadnt seen much of Kayla or any of her other friends. She could only imagine what Kayla might have heard from Matt at the height of the conflict.
So, when the door opened again, she was ready for anything. But Kayla surprised her, rushing through the door and quickly pulling her into a warm hug.
Im so glad its over, said Kayla. She drew back to peer at Angelica. You okay now? Congratulations. You deserved this all along. Youre going to be a fantastic CEO.
Angelicas brain stumbled for a moment, and then a warm rush of relief nearly buckled her knees. She hugged Kayla back. Ive missed you so much, she confessed.
Whose fault is that? Kayla asked on a laugh.
Mine. Its all my fault. Everything is all my fault.
Kayla drew back again, this time briskly rubbing Angelicas upper arms. Stop. Thats enough. I dont want to hear you say that again.
Angelica was about to protest, but then she spotted Tiffany Baines in the doorway. Tiff?
Tiffany opened her arms, and Angelica rushed to greet her other close friend.
Angie, Tiffany sighed. Its so great to see you at the office.
Angelica took a step back, sobering. Ive got a lot of work to do here. She glanced at Kayla as well. There are a lot of fences to mend and a whole lot of decisions to make.
Youll do great, Tiffany stated with conviction. Theres nobody better than you to run Lassiter Media. The stupid will put you in an impossible position.
I could have handled it better, said Angelica.
How were you to know it was a test? What if it hadnt been a test? What if your father had truly lost his mind and left the family company to Evan? You were right to fight it.
I think youre the only person in the world who feels that way, Angelica said to Tiffany.
I doubt it. But it doesnt matter. What matters now is that youre going to be an amazing success. A mischievous grin grew on Tiffanys face, and she shifted her attention to Kayla. Go ahead. Tell her.
Tell me what? Angelica took in Kaylas matching, wide grin. Whats going on?
Weve set a date, said Kayla.
For the wedding?
Kayla nodded.
Thats fantastic news. When? Where? How big?
Kayla laughed. End of September. I know its quick. But they had a cancellation at the Emerald Wave. Well be oceanfront in Malibu, just like my mother always dreamed wed be. We can have the ceremony right on the cliff. I know itll be spectacular.
It sounds perfect, said Angelica, ignoring the tiny spear of jealousy that tried to pierce her chest.
It was too late for her own fairy-tale wedding. That was simply the reality of it all. And she was genuinely delighted for her friend.
Now that weve finally made plans, I cant wait to marry Matt.
Of course you cant.
I want you to be my maid of honor.
The jealousy was immediately obliterated by a wave of warmth. Angelica was surprised and touched. Id love to be your maid of honor. After everything she stopped, gathering her emotions. You are so sweet to ask.
Sweet, nothing. Youre my best friend. You always have been, and you always will be.
And Im going to be a bridesmaid, sang Tiffany. Were going to have a blast.
We are, Angelica agreed, putting conviction into her tone. This is exactly what I need right now.
She would forgive her father. And she truly did want to honor his wishes. What could be more conducive to work-life balance than being maid of honor at a wedding?
Kaylas expression tightened ever so slightly. There is one small complication.
Whats that?
Matt is going to ask Evan to be the best man.
Angelicas equilibrium faltered.
Evan as the best man, while she was the maid of honor? She and Evan together, dressed to the nines, at a dream wedding with lace, flowers and champagne, but not getting married? For a second, she didnt think she could do it. She didnt see how she could survive an event like that.
Angelica? Kayla prompted, worry in her tone.
Its fine, said Angelica, her voice only slightly high-pitched. Itll be fine. She gave a little laugh through her fear. Hey, unless he leaves L.A., were going to run into each other eventually. I can handle it. No problem. She gained determination. Im going to be the best maid of honor ever.
* * *
Angelicas sanctuary was the rose garden at her familys mansion in Beverly Hills. Shed had the gazebo built five years ago to take advantage of the quiet, fragrant setting. At the end of a busy day, filled with dozens of meetings and the blare of the television screens that followed the five Lassiter networks, she could settle into one of the padded Adirondack chairs and sip a glass of wine.
It was peaceful out here. She could read through the latest ratings, check reviews on the programming from Lassiter Broadcast System, take note of the successes and failures of the competition, and wrap her head around strategic directions for each of the Lassiter Media networks. It might only be September, but contingency plans for the inevitable January scheduling adjustments were well underway.
She heard footfalls on the brick pathway from the main house and assumed it would be a member of the kitchen staff checking to see if she wanted dinner. She really wasnt hungry, and she didnt want to give up the peace of the garden just yet. Shed ask them to hold it for her.
Hello, Angelica, came a distinct, male voice that sent a buzz of reaction twisting down her spine. She tightened the grip on her wine glass, whirling her head to see if she was imagining him.
She wasnt. Evan was standing in the middle of her rose garden, his steel-gray shirt open at the collar, and a pair of faded blue jeans clinging to his hips. His unshaven jaw was set, his hazel eyes dark and guarded.
Evan? she responded, memories of the times they spent out here coming to life in her mind. Theyd made love more than once in this gazebo, the cool, evening breeze kissing their sweaty skin, the scent of roses wafting over them, the taste of red wine on his lips.
She swiftly set down her wineglass.
He took a couple of steps forward, coming to a halt at the short staircase that led up to the gazebo. I hope youre ready to put on your maid-of-honor hat.
She sat up straighter, taking in his expression. Why? Does Kayla need something? Is something wrong?
Yes, somethings wrong. He paused. Id never show up here unless something was very wrong.
The disdainful words cut her to the core. He didnt want to be at the mansion, didnt want anything more to do with her. She understood that. Shed prefer to stay away from him as well, but not for the same reasons.
Theyd been forced into each others company on several occasions since the breakup. Through it all, shed had her anger to shield her. But now, all that was left was embarrassment and guilt.
You heard Matt and Kayla were delayed in Scotland? he asked.
She told herself to brazen it out. Evan couldnt read her mind.
Yes, she said. Matt called in to the office yesterday. Hes taking a few extra days of vacation.
Matt and Kayla had flown to Edinburgh to take advantage of a last-minute opportunity to secure a significant art exhibit for Kaylas gallery. As Angelica understood it, after theyd arrived, theyd been told a senior member of the church council had to personally approve some of the pieces leaving the country. Theyd been forced to travel to his retreat in the north of the country to meet with him.
Ive been trying to call them all day, Evan continued. But with the time difference and the spotty cell reception in the countryside, I couldnt get through. And then I thought to myself, what are they going to do from Scotland anyway except worry? Well have to fix it for them from here.
Fix what? She sat up straighter. Whats wrong, Evan?
He put his foot on the first stair and braced his hand on a support post, but seemed unwilling to enter the gazebo. There was a fire at the Emerald Wave.
Oh, no. Was it bad?
Bad enough. It gutted half the kitchen. Luckily, nobody was hurt.
Angelica was grateful to hear everyone was safe, but her mind immediately went to Kayla. Were only three weeks from the wedding.
No kidding.
We need to find them a new venue.
Are you going to continue stating the obvious?
She felt her nerves snap to attention. Are you going to continue being a jerk?
Oh, Angie. His tone was soft, and his use of her nickname sent a new shiver of awareness through her body. I havent even begun being a jerk.
She reached for her glass of merlot, needing something to fortify her. What do you want from me, Evan?
He came up the three steps, filling the doorway to the gazebo with his six-foot-two height. I need your help. I went to see Conrad Norville today.
I dont understand. What did movie mogul Conrad Norville have to do with repairing a kitchen?
To ask if we could use his Malibu mansion for the wedding.
The explanation set her back for a moment. But she had to admit, it was a good idea.
Conrad Norville owned a monster of a mansion on the Malibu oceanfront. The seventy-something man was renowned for being gruff and eccentric, but his house was acknowledged as an architectural masterpiece.
Its the only place anywhere near Malibu that has a hope of fitting all the guests, said Evan.
What did he say?
He told me, and Im quoting here, No way in hell am I getting mixed up with that Lassiter circus. Ive got a reputation to protect.
Angelica felt her defenses go up on behalf of her family. Hes got a reputation to protect?
No, said Evan, his tone admonishing. Hes got a house we want to borrow.
But
Dont get all high and mighty
Im not high and mighty.
Well, whatever you are, this is no time for you to get into a fight with the man.
He already turned you down, Angelica pointed out. How could it possibly matter if she fought with Norville or not?
Im willing to take another run at it, said Evan. For Matt and Kaylas sake.
The statement made her curious. You think you can change his mind?
I was thinking you could help me change his mind.