Lost in Time (Forever and Always #20) by E. L. Todd

dress
with a black blazer. I didn’t rise from my desk like I usually
would. I wasn’t going to give her any respect she didn’t
deserve.
    She sat down in the chair facing me. “Thanks
for seeing me.”
    I said nothing, waiting for her to tell me
why she was here.
    When she realized I was going to remain
silent, she rested her hands on her lap. “I want to apologize for
my behavior the other day. It was inappropriate and wrong. I’m
sorry.”
    I nodded. “Thank you.”
    “And I would like to honor our previous
deal.”
    “I’m not going to pay your royalties. That’s
ludicrous.”
    She smiled slightly. “I meant the initial
one.”
    “It wouldn’t be so confusing if you didn’t
change your mind every minute,” I jabbed.
    She took the offense in stride. “I spoke to
my father and we accept your original offer.”
    “And…?” There had to be something more.
    “That’s it. No strings attached.”
    That seemed too good to be true. “I’m glad we
worked this out. After we get the contracts together, we can finish
the hand off.”
    “My father would like to meet you in person
when the contracts are signed.”
    “That’s fine,” I said. “Just make an
appointment with my secretary and have him come by.”
    She kept a straight face. “My father lives in
Paris. I assumed you would accompany me to his office and meet him
face to face.”
    I knew that was too easy. “You really don’t
expect me to travel to the other side of the world just to sign a
contract, do you? Faxing the documents should suffice.”
    “He would like to meet you in person before
he hands over something he’s been working on for a long time.” She
kept her professionalism.
    I wasn’t in a position to leave New York. I
would send my brother instead but his wife was pregnant. Why did
our wives have to be pregnant at the same time? “I’m sorry. I
physically can’t make the trip.”
    “May I ask why?”
    “My wife is pregnant.”
    “Um…you can bring her if you want.”
    “She’s past her first trimester.”
    “You’ll only be gone for a day or two.”
    “I still don’t want to leave her,” I said
honestly. “Can your father come here?”
    She shook her head. “Since you’re the buyer,
it’s custom for you to come to him. And it also shows respect.”
    “So, if I don’t see him the deal is off?”
    “Unfortunately.”
    I sighed in annoyance. If I didn’t want this
technology that bad I’d throw her out again. Maybe she was playing
a game with me. Maybe she wasn’t. “Will you excuse me for a
moment?”
    “Certainly. I’ll wait outside.” She walked
outside and shut the door.
    I picked up my phone and called my wife.
    “Hey,” she said when she answered.
    “Hey, baby.”
    “Not working like usual?” she teased.
    “Actually, I was working for once.”
    “I don’t believe you,” she said with a
laugh.
    My tone became serious. “I need to talk to
you about something.”
    “Okay.” She dropped her laugh.
    “I’ve been trying to acquire something for
the company, but I need to go to Paris to sign the contracts.”
    “Oh.”
    “If I don’t do this, I won’t get the
product.”
    “Then go, Sean. It’s not a big deal. I’ll be
fine.”
    I sighed. “I really don’t want to leave you.
I’d send Mike but I know he wouldn’t go.”
    “Well, Cassandra is much farther along.
That’s understandable.”
    “The Vice President and I will fly to Paris
and then I’ll catch the next flight home. I’ll only be gone for a
few days.”
    “Okay. When are you leaving?”
    “I’m not sure. Maybe tomorrow.”
    “Well, you have to do what you have to
do.”
    “Could you stay at Mike’s while I’m
gone?”
    “No,” she said. “I don’t want to bother them.
Cassandra is really uncomfortable and I don’t want my presence to
make her worse.”
    “Cortland?”
    “I’m sure him and Monnique are shacking up
constantly. I don’t want to bother them either.”
    “Then stay with your