I ran a hand through my hair and walked over to the bar, pouring scotch into an ice filled glass.
“You know you’ll need her last name to be on the guest list, right,” Donovan mocked.
Unamused, I shot back, “She’ll be my plus one.”
Donovan shook his head and walked to sit behind his desk. “Having doubts about your investment with Starr-Bright?”
“Why would you say that?”
Donovan watched me. “You oversold it.”
I rubbed my jaw. The man knew me too well. “Dean told me they handed the Ballard event to the newbie again.” I swallowed down the liquor.
“So?”
“It’s risky and reckless.”
“Maybe she’s pretty.”
I shot him a cold glare.
“Okay, okay, I agree…it’s a little optimistic and perhaps daring, but maybe she’ll surprise you again.”
“Because that’s something I could afford.”
“So why not insist on someone you all know and trust?”
I let out a breath and stared absently at the tall building across the street. “Because that would be too…demanding.”
“You’re losing me here,” Donovan said.
My recent efforts would never make any sense to my old boss so I decided to move on. “You know I went to see Harrison yesterday. For kicks I threw out the idea to buy out the business that he tells me is a family legacy, and he nearly jumped out of his chair with eagerness. Suddenly, he was overloaded with an offer and a timeline to close the deal.”
“I don’t get it. You say he was never interested in your investment?”
“Nope. He was hoping for a buyout. Wanted to make it look like he tried for the family, but that my offer was too good to turn down. Apparently, he wants no part of the business. He just wants out.”
Donovan chuckled. “He’s barking up the wrong tree.” He swirled his glass. “Pretty brilliant—you testing out his intentions.”
“It was Isabel’s idea.”
Donovan pointed a finger at him. “I told you I don’t work with idiots. Why don’t you bring her by one of these days, I’m sure if I see her again, I’ll remember the connection.”
I swallowed down the last of my drink. Doubt tugged at my chest.
And it was starting to become painful.
“Listen, I need to finish up some calls in the other room. Thanks for your help today.”
Donovan held up his empty glass waving me out and turned back to his desk.
“Kat,” I called as I crossed to her desk out in the hall.
She looked up instantly.
“Could you pull up the guest list for the Hayes’ anniversary party from last month?”
Kat clicked away on her computer, and turned the screen towards me. “Here you go.”
