Now that hurt. She, who had prided herself on being the consummate ‘professional’, shunning the advances of more than a few male co-workers, was now being accused of pursuing a personal ‘interest’ on the job. And she was innocent!
And she wanted to tell him that, too. She wanted it so bad but she couldn’t. Because, from what little she knew of Rock’s personality, if he got wind of what Jason had done, her co-worker would be out on his butt before you could say, “What happened?”
And, as annoying as Jason was, and as wrong as he’d been for kissing her, she couldn’t do that to him. So she would take the blame.
Rock was scowling at her but she refused to defend herself. Let him think what he would. For a moment he looked annoyed at her lack of response. What? Did he expect a fight? If so, he would be sorely disappointed because he wasn’t going to get a rise out of her.
Rock’s scowl deepened then with a grunt he turned on his heel and stalked off to his own office where he shut the door firmly behind him. It wasn’t quite a slam. No, he was too controlled for that, but the strength behind the closing of the door told of the depth of his anger.
Alone again Dana exhaled then, nursing her injured elbow, she turned and sank gratefully into her chair. She needed to catch her breath.
Within minutes the phone would ring and Rock would be summoning her into his office. She was sure of it. And she was not looking forward to it, not one bit.
CHAPTER THREE
“Sounds like you’ve been handling things pretty well since you’ve taken over. I bet they don’t miss me at all.” Richard took another sip of his beer as he lounged in his seat. He was looking relaxed and fresh, just the way Rock wanted to see him. The time away from his business must really be doing him good.
“Oh, they miss you all right,” Rock said with a grunt. “I’ve heard the grumbling behind my back. I’ve been accused of being too cold.”
Richard laughed. “You? Cold? That’s a laugh.”
Rock raised his eyebrows. “You’d be surprised. I’m very different from the high school kid who used to drop by your house.”
“Not that different. You’re still a kid at heart. You can’t fool me.” Richard was grinning as he shook his head. “I’ve seen when you and Fred get together. Heck, you guys still fight over video games.”
“Hey. You saw that?” Rock’s mouth twisted with amusement as his mind went back to the day five months earlier when he’d dropped in on Fred and his wife. Richard, ever the loving grandpa, had been there, playing with four-year-old Jessica and two-year-old Simon. It was the middle of January and freezing cold so Rock and his old high school buddy had holed themselves up in the den, far away from the kids with the TV, the Xbox and the PlayStation. And, just like in the old days, they were in serious competition. And it hadn’t been pretty. Rock chuckled at the thought. He hadn’t had that much fun in ages.
But his memories of that winter day were bittersweet because that was the day he’d found out about Richard’s dilemma. The shadows of evening had begun to fall when he’d grabbed his coat and gone upstairs to say his goodbyes. Richard, his face grave, had asked to speak to him before he left.
As he sat there having lunch with Richard at The Sea Grill overlooking Rockefeller Plaza, Rock could still remember the shock coursing through his body as Richard’s words registered. “You? Sick?” he’d asked, incredulous. “You’re as strong as an oak.”
Richard shook his head. “Not anymore. I used to behave like I was invincible but now even I have to admit I’m human.” He sighed. “And because I’m human I’m going to do something I’ve always had a hard time doing. I’ve decided to ask for help.”
“What kind of help?” Richard was closer than a friend to Rock, more like an uncle. There was hardly anything he wouldn’t do for Richard French.
Richard sighed. “You know Fred isn’t interested in my world or my business. He’s happy with his career as a chemist. But I need someone to take over my business right away.”
“But…why?”
“In a word, cancer.” Richard’s voice was steady and unemotional, as if he’d said nothing more significant than ‘the sky is blue’. “I don’t know how much time I have, which makes every moment precious. I want to sell the business, Rock, free myself to do things I’ve always wanted. And once the idea of selling popped into my head, the first person I thought of was you.”
For a second Rock just stared, left speechless by the two shocks in a row. But Richard was waiting for an answer so he had to respond. “I’m honored that you thought of me, Richard, but I’m in the oil and mining business. What do I know about resort hotels and vacation packages?”
Richard smiled and shook his head. “You may not know about the business but I know you. You’re a fast learner. And if there’s anyone in the world who can take the business to higher heights it’s you.”
Rock drew in his breath then let it out slowly. He could see that Richard had made up his mind and there was no shaking him. He wouldn’t even try. “Well, since you put it that way, I guess I have no choice but to say yes.”
“That’s my boy.” Richard reached over and gave his shoulder a squeeze. “Compared to the businesses you run, this is peanuts. Just stick a competent manager in and you’ll be good to go.”
“No,” Rock said with a shake of the head, “I’ll run it myself, at least at the outset. That’s the only way I’ll learn. Once I know the ins and outs of the business then I can bring someone in.” Then he frowned as he thought of something else. “Are you sure Fred won’t mind that you’re selling?”
“Mind? He’ll be relieved. He knows about the cancer and ever since he got the news he’s been distracted with worry.”
“About you,” Rock said in Fred’s defense.
“Yes, about me, and about what he thinks I’m going to ask him. But I wouldn’t do that to Fred. Business is not his passion, not like it’s yours.”