Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 61248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“I work a lot of hours. Is that going to bother you?”
“Of course not. I have to make Zoey into an empire of my own. I can’t do that without putting in the time and effort.”
“We’ll figure out how to make it work.”
“I’m going to tell my father about you.”
“You mean us?”
“Yes,” I say with a curve to my lips. “About us. A part of me just wanted to go over there tonight, but he’s got his own business to run, and he’s finally dating again. Plus, I recognize that I suddenly want to unburden myself, which is about me, not him.”
“What happened with his investor meeting?”
“I don’t know. I’ll talk to him tomorrow. Why?”
“Get me the information before he signs the deal. I’ll make sure nothing is shady. And if you fear he’ll sign the deal before tomorrow night, I need to look at it sooner than later.”
“Is this a thing?”
“Yes. Investors love to screw creators/owners in exchange for money. I can talk to him. I can help—”
“No,” I say. “Absolutely no, Ethan. I know you mean well, but he wants to earn what he gets.”
“He is. Now that I know more of his backstory, I’m confident in him. I always liked him.”
“No. Thank you, though. I really do appreciate that you want to help. And as for him not getting screwed, he has a good attorney, but you’re an actual investor, and I think your feedback would be necessary. I just need to figure out how to do that.”
“Tell him your new attorney is exceptional, and it’s worth two opinions.”
“Yes. Good idea. I’ll do that.” My phone is in the pocket of my pants, and I shift and retrieve it. “I’ll text him.” And that’s what I do: Dad. I know you have an attorney, but he’s so busy in trial right now. My new attorney is incredible. Let her look at your investment deal before you sign it.
He answers immediately. When, and if, I sign with someone, I will certainly consider it.
My brows dip. When and if? What is happening with the person you met with?
They want a lot of data. We’ll see.
“What’s wrong?” Ethan asks.
I toss my phone to the ottoman. “The potential investor is asking for a lot of data.”
“That’s fairly normal.”
“It feels off. I think he got turned down. You’ve seen his proposal.” I push off the chair and sit on the ottoman in front of him. “What does he need to change?”
“His upfront presentation is good, but when he gives you the backend, it’s debt-heavy in a big way.”
“How does he overcome that? He did get a big new account. He says that’s how he got his investor meeting.”
“Distribution costs money, which was my biggest concern. He doesn’t have the cash flow to fulfill those new orders, and if anything goes wrong, the business can go south fast. My biggest worry would be him taking a bad deal out of desperation. He needs money. Whoever gives it to him will want most of his company because of the risk.”
“My money won’t be enough, will it? It’s five figures. No more. I mean, of course, if I get a big payout years from now that would, but that does him no good, and it’s not even a sure thing.”
“Tell him it’s more. Find out what he needs. I’ll give you the rest.”
“I’m not taking your money, Ethan.”
“You’re doing it for him, not yourself. He’ll pay you back. If you want to pay me back, you can.”
“If? Are you serious right now? I’m not that girl. I don’t want or need your money. No. Just no, Ethan.” I push to my feet and try to walk away.
He captures my arm and holds me to him, not about to let me get away, not about to let this go.
I know right then we’re about to have our first fight. Okay, our second. And it’s going to be a blowout.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Sofia
“Don’t do this, Sofia.” His voice is soft, a gentle prod.
“Don’t do what?” It’s not a coy question. I don’t know him well enough to know what he’s thinking. Right now, I’m starting to question my previous thought that I know myself that well, either. He still confuses me. He’s generous, so very generous, but isn’t anything too good to be true, too good to be true? What if my father counts on him, and then we break up and he pulls the plug? I don’t think that’s Ethan, I don’t, but this is my father we’re talking about, not me.
“I’m not doing this because you’re his daughter,” he says. “You’re simply the vessel that allowed me to see him and his business more clearly. I like him. I was interested in him. I just didn’t understand why he’d run himself into so much debt. Now I get it. Grief is a wicked beast, and he’s on the other side of that brick wall now.”