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“Not because they want anything from you?”
“What? No.”
I immediately bite my tongue at my tone, like the idea of them wanting something from me is preposterous. He obviously doesn’t have a good relationship with his father.
“Then go spend the day with them,” he gestures.
“We have work to do.”
He makes a scoffing noise. “We both know Serena and I couldn’t care less who our photographer is. We wouldn’t even notice if you hired anyone at all. Whoever you have up on your screen now is fine. Hire them.”
“What about their portfolio?”
“Why don’t you want your parents to come in here?” he counters with, serious for a change.
I swallow hard, then hang my head down. “I never told them I moved offices. They think business is better than it is.”
I shouldn’t be admitting this to him. Rule one is to always project confidence in front of your clients.Yes, I have those connections. Yes, I can make that happen.
NotI bit off more than I can chew and it turns out I can’t attract as many events as I thought I could.
But Gabriel’s become more than a client lately. He’s a… confidante. Someone I can’t seem to keep my mouth shut around.
Or treat purely professional.
“Mackenzie,” he says softly. “Invite them in. They came to see you.”
He’s right. I can’t ignore them.
I motion for them to come in through the flower shop entrance, watching as they greet Diana and pause at the doorway of my office, gazing around.
“What are you guys doing here?” I ask, standing and pasting on a smile.
“We wanted to surprise you,” Mom exclaims, hugging me tightly. She leans back to look at me, an unspoken question about Gabriel in her eyes, but thankfully restrains herself from asking about him aloud.
“Hi, sweetheart,” Dad murmurs, coming over to hug me next. I know he had no part of this plan to visit, at least. He’s always been content to just go along with whatever Mom wants.
“So this is your new office?” she asks as tactfully as she can. “We went to your old one, but it was a different business. I had to look on your website to find this address.”
She doesn’t have to outright say she’s disappointed for me to get the hint. It’s why I didn’t tell her in the first place.
“It was a sudden move,” is all I say, trying to stay as diplomatic as I can. “And I recently redecorated. That’s why I’ve been so busy.”
“Well, it looks great,” Dad says in an attempt to smooth things over.
There’s an awkward lull and I gesture to Gabriel, glad to have him here now as a buffer. “And this is Gabriel Bishop. I’ve been working closely with him lately planning his upcoming wedding.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he says warmly, shaking both their hands. “Do you come to New York often?”
“This is our third time,” Mom replies, surveying his tailored clothes and the heavy watch on his wrist. “Are you the… billionaire?” she whispers, unable to help herself.
Ugh, kill me now.
“My father is,” he says easily, not taking offense at the inappropriate question.
Her eyes widen, as if she’s in the presence of royalty or something. I guess he would be the American version, though.
“How long will you be in town?” he asks, completely at ease with them interrupting us.