Page 168 of A Convenient Secret

“Let’s hope it all goes smoothly, because we need to hit the ground running.” Corm checks his watch.

“I agree. I will send you an update, hopefully by the end of the day London time.” I stand to grab my jacket.

“What about some Lily update?” Roxy asks, grinning.

“None of your business,” I growl.

“But things are going okay?” Corm leans forward like he can see what’s going on here through the screen. “How is she?”

I blow the air from my cheeks. “I only saw her once.”

“What? At this rate your kids will graduate from college by the time you win her over.” Corm frowns.

Just because he’s in a committed relationship for the first time in his life, he feels he has the moral ground to mock me.

“As I said, none of your business. Lily told me what she needs, and I’m making it happen.”

“So you’re going to roll over for her? That’s manly.” Xander chuckles.

“I’m going to compromise, you idiot.”

“That sounds like sacrifice,” Roxy says. “It almost rhymes.” She wiggles her shoulders.

It’s like a kindergarten,I swear under my breath.

“The two of you are chronically single, so you haveno right to comment.” I put on the jacket, ready to disconnect the call.

“It still begs the question: when are you coming back?” Corm stops me.

I wish there was a straightforward answer. “Soon.”

I snap the laptop shut and head to the first important meeting of my day.

I adjust my tie as the server cleans our plates. “Look, Ms. Drake—”

“Call me Vivienne.” She smiles.

The woman in front of me has confidence, qualifications, and, judging by our twenty-minute conversation, sharp intuition. She would fit the shoes well.

“Vivienne, this is probably not what you expected when you came today—”

“You’re going to offer the job to someone else, aren’t you? A man, probably. You could have saved me the trip.”

She grabs her briefcase and pushes her chair back.

“I would appreciate it if you let me finish. Or for that matter, stop interrupting me. Sit down,” I growl. “Please,” I add, and almost can feel Lily’s smile.

Vivienne frowns at me, glaring for a beat too long, but then sinks back into the chair.

“The job is going to a man, but that man would love if you joined his team as his second-in-command.”

She folds her arms across her chest. “I don’t think I’m interested in playing second fiddle to someone who stole the job from me. I’ve been there, done that. There is always someone more qualified because they have a penis.”

“Thank you for your opinion. I would prefer we would not mention cocks in our future dealings. The man is more experienced than you, though.”

She scoffs. “Who?”

“Me.”