Page 23 of The Rebel

Chad looked as if he wanted to rewind time so this conversation didn’t happen at all.

I cleared my throat, turning to the rest of the table. They were only half listening. My grandmothers were talking with Zachary’s fiancée, Grace. She had a cosmetics company, and she was selling some of her products in their store too.

“Is there a way to make lilac work in creams as well?” Grace asked. “Because we could definitely incorporate that into a fantastic marketing campaign.”

I glanced at Beckett, who seemed as alarmed as I was. Why were they pursuing this nonsense with the lilac?

Nonsense that seems to work, but nonsense nonetheless.

Isabeau tilted her head, clearly considering this. “It’s tricky because we firmly believe it only works in custom-made concoctions.”

“You can’t mass-produce chemistry,” Grace replied with a nod. “I understand.”

“I find it fascinating,” I chipped in, “that you talk about this as if there’s an actual study behind its efficacy or something.”

Isabeau turned to me with a mischievous look in her eyes. “I think we’ve got plenty of proof.”

“Sorry, I don’t agree with that.”

“Boy, you’re on thin ice,” Felix said jokingly. “Don’t get between Isabeau, Celine, and their lilac.”

I chuckled. “Can’t help myself.”

“By the way, how’s it going with your new assistant?” he inquired.

“Good,” I replied, happy to move on from lilac. “She’ll only be here for a short while, though.”

“How come?”

“Long story, but she only accepted this job because another one fell through. She’s vastly overqualified to be an assistant, but she’s very efficient.”

“And you’re getting along with her?” David asked.

“Things are working fine.” I’d been perfectly professional this past week. It was taking a tremendous amount of effort, and I couldn’t understand why, but I’d managed.

In the past, I’d been indifferent to my assistants—especially after the incident. But I was drawn to Daisy. Luckily, she had a similar work ethic to mine and challenged me to remain professional and businesslike. But it wasn’t easy.

“Good to know.”

“Are you coming fishing with us this weekend?” Felix asked.

I shook my head, feeling a bit guilty. “No can do. The festival is starting this weekend.”

“I’ll come,” Beckett offered, and my grandfathers’ expressions immediately lit up. It was funny how important this was for them. Then again, it was a lot of fun for me and my brothers too.

While listening to Beckett make fishing plans, I also heard my grandmothers and Grace back on the lilac thing again.

I looked at Zachary, who laughed, replying, “Happy wife, happy life.”

Grace elbowed him. “Hey, show some respect for the lilac.”

Zachary was a lot like me. I mean, none of my brothers believed that bullshit, but Zachary, Beckett, and I were openly cynical about it.

“Anthony.” Daisy’s voice filtered in from behind me, and I immediately turned around. She stood a few feet away from the table. “Could I speak with you just for a few seconds? I’m on my way out.”

“Sure.” The whole table went silent as I got to my feet. “Everyone, this is my new assistant, Daisy. Daisy, come closer so I can introduce you.”

“I really don’t want to disturb you all,” she said with an apologetic smile.