I storm out of her office, leaving my heart behind.
CHAPTER30
Cody
Despite the factI feel like a walking zombie, I arrive in time for my appointment with Sam Morrey. Margaret is sitting at her desk outside his office. Today, she’s wearing a different skintight dress; this one is purple, and it has a cutout to show off her cleavage.
I wonder who else around here she might have wound around her pinkie besides Sam. I take a deep breath, readying myself to deal with her. As I step forward, she spots me.
“Oh. It’s you. It’s good to see you again.” She stands to greet me. “I was disappointed I never heard from you.”
I scratch the back of my neck. “Yeah, about that. I was seeing someone else.”
Her eyes widen, and she smiles. “Was? So, you’re free—”
Sam’s door swings open before she can finish.
“Mr. Anthony,” he says. “Whatever you did, thank you. We got our money back just in time. Come on in. Let’s talk.”
I follow him into his office, closing the door behind me. “I’m afraid I had nothing to do with it.”
Sam motions to the chair across his desk as he takes a seat himself. “Then what brings you by?”
“You mentioned last time I was here that Mr. Gardiner is a contributor to the athletics program here at the university.”
He smiles. “Yes, to hockey specifically. He played back in his youth—at least, that’s what he always says. I’m not sure he’s really built for it, you know?”
Maybe not, but a few body hits wouldn’t have bothered him.
I nod. “Can you tell me, when someone gives a program that much money, do they get some sort of say in how things are run?”
Sam’s smile drops, and he leans back, crossing his arms. “No, that would be unethical. Mr. Gardiner’s donations don’t come with strings. Why do you ask?”
I’ve got the man defensive, and I need to remedy that fast. “I actually know Lawrence. I used to date his daughter, and I figured with how controlling he is with his family, he’d probably try to tell you what to do as well. He’s a stubborn man.”
Sam’s smile returns. “You used to date Lucy? Lucky dog. She’s a beauty.” Then he laughs. “I have to say, I wouldn’t want a father like him. I’m surprised you got out unscathed.”
I don’t dare admit I’m not unscathed. “I don’t know,” I say instead, “I think I can hold my own.”
“Then you don’t know Mr. Gardiner as well as you think. If he wants something, he gets it.” Sam’s grin is more like a grimace, and it doesn’t reach his eyes.
We both know Lawrence Gardiner is not charitable; whether Sam will tell me what is really going on is unclear.
“Yeah, that doesn’t surprise me. Is there something he wants from you?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Look, this is all I’m going to say on the subject. Mr. Gardiner has been very good to the men’s hockey program here. Many of our boys have bright futures because of him. I’m sorry it didn’t work out with Lucy, but don’t go nosing around her father’s business. He won’t take kindly to it.”
I nod. “I understand. Thank you for the advice.”
Sam stands and walks to the door. I follow. Then he turns back to me.
“You seem like a good guy. I don’t want to see you get in over your head, that’s all.”
Over my head? Now I know Sam knows what kind of man Mr. Gardiner really is. The question is how deep in Lawrence’s pockets is he?
He leads me out the door to Margaret’s desk. “Have a good day.” Then he strolls down the hallway, leaving us.
“We didn’t get to finish our conversation,” she says, looking up through her lashes. I can tell she’s practiced this. It probably works on guys like Sam. Then she comes around the desk and reaches for my arm.
