Page 14 of Forty, Flirty & Framed

“She didn’t say.”

Luke grimaces.“Oof.”

“Can’t you bribe border patrol?”Connor offers.“Use your CEO powers?”

“This is Fiona.She once talked her way past palace guards to lecture the Queen about an interior decor redesign.For the palace.”

We all go silent for a beat, out of pure respect.

“Where’s she staying?”Luke asks.

“Same as always, I’m sure.My place.”

“And you?”

“Haven’t thought that far.Hotel?”

“You’re fleeing your own home?”Connor gapes.“She’s your gran.”

“Last time she visited, she reorganized my kitchen because the ‘feng shui was blocking my matrimonial energy.’”

“Bold move from a Scotswoman,” Luke murmurs.

I grab my bag and head for the door.“I need to warn Alana.And Karina.”

“Karina?”Grayson raises a brow.“Why does she need warning?”

Because Gran will see one marketing director and immediately start picking china patterns.

“Professional courtesy,” I say.“Fiona will have opinions about our media strategy.”

Connor arches a brow.“Just strategy?Nothing to do with how you went full ghost at the mention of Halloween?”

“Yer bum’s oot the windae,” I snap, the Scottish steam now oozing out of my pores as I walk off.

Behind me, I hear Luke whisper, “Ten bucks says Gran tries to marry him off by the end of the month.”

“Twenty says she’s already designing the tartan for their firstborn,” Grayson replies.

I slam the locker room door hard enough to make the attendant flinch.Then lean against it.

My brother’s ex-almost fiancée in my office.Fiona incoming.My acquisition hanging by a thread.

This isn’t rock bottom.

This is the scenic overlook above rock bottom.

My phone buzzes again:

ALANA:SkySnap just named you “Kilted CEO of the Month.”Also, Seattle Style wants a quote on “bringing sexy back to corporate leadership.”Should I decline or book a kilt fitting?

I slide to the floor, a 45-year-old CEO in sweaty gym clothes, staring into the void of my life.

I’ve hit The Summit, indeed.

5

GRANDMOTHERS KNOW BEST (AND EVERYTHING ELSE)