Page 74 of The Christmas Trap

"So, you haven’t spoken to her yet."

"I wanted your blessings first, of course."

"Bull-fucking-shit." He snorts.

"Excuse me?"

"You’d have made her CEO, even if I decided she wasn’t right for the role."

"But youdon’tthink that," I say with confidence.

"I think she’ll be perfect for the role. She’s smart, astute, and courageous. Enough to marry you. And you trust her."

"I do. Implicitly."

"It’s time the Davenport Group welcomed its first female CEO," he agrees.

"Wow, I didn’t expect it to be that easy." I run my fingers through my hair.

"You knew I approved of her, so I’m sure you didn’t expect me to put up too much of a fight."

"That’s true." I allow my shoulders to relax for the first time since I entered Arthur’s place.

Arthur drums his fingers on the arm of his chair. “The board won’t accept a sudden handover. They don’t like changes, as you’re well aware.”

"With your backing, anything is possible." I smile.

"You bet it is. Which is why you brought it to me. You want me to smoothen Lark’s path."

"I’m sure, you’d have done it anyway. But I didn’t want to leave anything to chance."

"Wise." He searches my features. "And what will you focus on?"

"What gives me the most satisfaction. I want to set up the Davenport Foundation to help with veterans’ causes. And startups which fit my vision."

Arthur leans back in his seat. An inscrutable expression in his eyes. "I’m proud of you."

Heat crawls up the back of my neck. Praise from the old man is as rare as a Christmas anthem that doesn’t drive me batshit.

"Thanks." I tilt my head.

“There are only two questions left, in my opinion.”

“Two?” I frown, not sure what he’s getting at.

“When are you going to tell her? And—” He holds my gaze. “Will she go for it?”

23

Lark

Send Christmas cards before they become a New Year’s apology.

—From Lark’s Christmas to-do list

Is this an alternate reality? That’s the only explanation for why my boss and I are meeting with a wedding planner in her plush offices.

I wasn’t sure that was needed, but he reminded me this is a Davenport wedding. And Arthur will likely attend the ceremony. As will his brothers and their wives. And his friends.