Page 66 of The Merger

“Yes.”

“Great. Hi, Carys. This is Kylie, Mr. Brewer’s assistant.”

I slump against the counter. “Hi, Kylie. What can I do for you?”

“Mr. Brewer wanted me to check and see if you’re still in the building.”

“I was just getting ready to leave.”

“Oh, okay. Well, he’d like you to stop by his office on your way out.”

I squeeze my eyes closed and stifle another groan. “Do you know if it can wait until Wednesday? I have another appointment to get to.”

“He thought that might be the case.”I bet he did. “He said to tell you there’s an ivy incident in his office. Apparently, it’s going to die if you don’t run up there and diagnose the problem.”

You’ve got to be joking. The fucker doesn’t even have an ivy.I sigh in frustration … but also with amusement. I can imagine Gannon concocting this storyline and feeding it to Kylie. It’s such a Gannon thing to do to get what he wants at all costs. But it’s also so un-Gannon-like. He doesn’t involve himself with such trivialness.

I grin. “Could you tell him that ivy plants are my least favorite, and I don’t care if it dies?”

There’s a lengthy pause.

“I really don’t want to do that, Carys.”

“I’m kidding.” I laugh at her hasty exhale. “I’ll be up there in a minute.”

“Thank you so much.”

“Bye.”

I end the call and blow out a breath.

My mind goes into overdrive, trying to determine why he wants to see me. The options are endless, really, and trying to predict what Gannon is doing or thinking is futile.Or why he waited all day to summon me. Or why he had Kylie call me and not do it himself.

“Damn you,” I mutter, pulling a compact out of my purse. I give myself a quick once-over, straightening my hair and applying a quick coat of gloss to my lips.

I shove my phone into my purse but pull it out when it buzzes immediately.

Mom: Did you get your life insurance form? It should’ve been emailed to you.

Me: I haven’t seen it yet.

Mom: Those bastards. I’m going to make some calls because no one we’ve signed up has gotten theirs.

Me: Okay, that’s great. I’m going into an important meeting, so I’ll check later this afternoon.

Mom: Let me know.

“I’ll be sure to do that.” I turn my phone off and stick it back into my purse. “Later.”

I grab my purse and gather myself before leaving the safety of the closet. The elevator is around the corner, and I get there far too quickly.

Breathe, Carys.

I punch the call button, and the doors swing open.

I’m whisked to the executive level in an instant, meaning I have no time to get my thoughts together. Not that I could get them together enough to make a difference. I had all weekend to do that and failed.Miserably.

“Hey!” Amanda says, smiling brightly. “How was your weekend?”