Apparently sometime in the last 48 hours when I developed opinions about who she should sleep with, but that seemed like the kind of revelation best kept under wraps.
“I had a lot of therapy post Playgirl Poppy. I read a lot of books. These things merge into personal and professional.” I shrugged. “Aren’t you glad you took on this job now? You’re going to have a professional win to put on your CV, and you’re going to get out of your relationship slump. You can thank me later.”
CHAPTER 10
The one thing I hadn’t accounted for in going away to New York was the fact that it was the twins’ second birthday next week. Katy and Bryce were having a big party, and Katy was going to be pissed with me. I called to deliver the news as soon as I got the flight and hotel confirmed by my new Voss PA.
“But you’re their godmother, Pops!”
She and Margot were the only people in the world allowed to call me that. “And as their godmother, I will bring them back the best gifts from New York.” How could I sweeten the deal? “Plus, I’ll babysit so you and Bryce can have a night out, too.” Surely that would do it.
There was a pause on the end of the line. “I guess that would work. So long as you throw in a gift for me from New York, too.”
I laughed. Maybe I should hire my sister to work with me. She was a skilled negotiator.
“Done deal.”
“But let’s circle back to the facts of this. You’re going to New York with Eliza?” Katy’s tone was sharp, surprised. “I’m pretty sure the last time you said her name, it was laced with venom.”
I waved a hand even though she couldn’t see it. “Water under the bridge.”
Katy didn’t need to know my fears about Eliza, because neither of us could do anything about them. I had to trust Eliza, or this was never going to work.
“As long as you mean that. But even with Eliza’s help, this is a tall order. Give it your best shot, and whatever happens, at least you tried. You don’t owe me and the girls anything. Our family is way more than Voss Watches.”
Sometimes, Katy channelled so much of our dead grandma, it made me forget to breathe. That’s exactly what she would have said. Mum, on the other hand, would have told me to go in all guns blazing and not to leave until the deal was done.
“I know that.”
Another pause. “For the record, Eliza has never been the villain you made her out to be. You needed someone to blame for everything, and she was a convenient stooge. She went off to college and you were 14. She’s allowed to ignore you for a bit. It was never the crime of the century.”
“Whatever. We’re friends again now.”
“Right.” Katy cleared her throat. “She broke up with her wife, right?”
But she’s still sleeping with her. “She did.”
“Sad for her. Interesting for you.”
I frowned. “Why?”
“Oh come on. Isn’t there a reason you had beef with her all this time? If you hate someone that much, there’s usually some underlying reason. Like, maybe, that you like them?”
I hated when she was that perceptive.
“Not everything comes down to sex. You’ve been watching too muchGrey’s Anatomy.”
“True. But certain things do.” I could almost hear her grin down the phone. “Plus, wouldn’t it be nice to meet someone?”
“Not this someone. I have issues with her, remember? Plus, no distractions. I’m not even starting anything new on Netflix. I’m following everything that Roka does on her socials. I’m watching all our competitors and influencers. I’ve got spreadsheets coming out of my ears.”
“I seem to recall you telling me that you weren’t going to become obsessive and block out everything else in your life for the sake of the business like Mum did. You’re missing the twins’ birthday, and you’re cutting off parts of your life. This sounds precisely the opposite.”
It wasn’t the same at all. This was short-term pain for long-term gain.
“I’m not going down the same path. As soon as I’ve secured the company, I’ll take my foot off the gas. But for now, nothing can distract me.”
I changed the subject before she could respond.
