How could he have been so stupid?
“I need to go,” Ethan said, throwing the club into his bag. “Catch you at the office.”
He had no intention of being manageable. Nor was he going to be temporary. It was about time Kerri understood just how unmanageable and permanent he could be.
*
After she was done talking with Barron, Kerri phoned Natalie. “You home?”
“Yes. What’s up? You all right?” Natalie said.
“Can I come over?” Kerri tried to sound light, but failed. It was difficult when her heart felt bruised… No, worse than bruised. She felt like she’d never be whole again.
“Sure.” Natalie hesitated then said, “I’ll wait.”
Kerri took a cab to Natalie’s penthouse. Barron had offered to lend her Miles, but she didn’t want her grandfather’s spy around.
The second she opened the door, Natalie said, “You okay? You didn’t sound too good on the phone, and you’re so pale.”
“I’m fine.”
“Those ‘bodyguards’ still bothering you?”
“No. They’re gone.” She plopped herself on the couch with a sigh.
Natalie raised an eyebrow. “Barron gave up?”
Kerri shook her head. “I caved. We talked.”
Natalie pressed her lips together, then slowly said, “I hope it was productive.”
“Some of it was, and some of it wasn’t.”
Natalie moved next to Kerri and hugged her.
“I need to ask you to do something for me,” Kerri said.
“Sure. What’s up?”
“Meredith—Ethan’s younger sister—is going to take over The Lloyds Development, but she doesn’t have much managerial experience. It’s her first time in a business environment. I want you to help her.”
“Me? Why no
t you? You’ve been working for Ethan long enough I’m sure you know everything about the company.”
“He and I had an argument about my meeting Barron, and with his brothers so wary about my connection to Sterling & Wilson, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
Crimson suffused Natalie’s cheeks. “Are they accusing you of spying for your family or something?” she said, her voice full of heat.
“No, nothing so melodramatic.” Kerri didn’t want Natalie fighting Ethan’s family over it. “It just makes them uncomfortable—which is totally understandable—and I don’t want a scene.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“I really don’t mind. I was thinking about going to California anyway.” Kerri gave her friend a rueful smile. “But thanks. You did your best.”
Natalie frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You think I didn’t notice how you tried to set me up with Ethan? Food poisoning? Working honeymoon? Come on. You remember the Scallops of Doom that night in Hong Kong? Everyone in the office got sick except you.”