“Different how?” Wyatt persisted.
“Well, two years ago Regan was a vice president at LHRE, which was intimidating enough, but I was a big shot attorney in a big-ass firm. Now she is the damn CEO of one of Chicago’s largest companies. She hangs with the Mayor and his buddies. She testifies before Congress on the post-mortgage crisis housing market and is in high demand on the lecture circuit. I work for you, Bud. We just don’t travel in the same circles anymore.”
“Are you kidding me?” Wyatt almost shouted. “This is my sister we are talking about. She is not some goddess you put up on a pedestal. If I am not mistaken, you have seen her naked.”
“You have, Ty. I was there,” Randall offered with a laugh.
“I was four or five years old, guys. Regan was in diapers. I don’t think that counts,” Tyler sputtered in response.
“Yeah, but there are pictures,” Alex could not help himself from pointing out the obvious. The three men laughed but Tyler looked like he could cry.
“Seriously guys, things are just different. She is polite and all. You know, for a while it seemed like she was warming up to me, but now she is cool again. I know when to take a hint.”
“I think it might all be in your head, man,” Wyatt offered “Want me to ask her? I am happy to assist. You two are kind of cute together. She could do worse,” he taunted his friend. “Besides,” Wyatt looked about the table “you men need wives. It is time for you all to settle down.”
Tyler, seeing an opportunity to get out of the hot seat jumped on Wyatt’s remark.
“Speaking of…” Tyler turned a laser-focused eye on Randall, “I forgot to ask before. What was all that crap with Sloane last month at Sixteen?”
“What crap? Is Sloane causing problems?” Wyatt was quick to assume disaster when he heard Sloane’s name. He had narrowly escaped a life married to the woman in a forced wedding. She had been using him for the Howe name and all that it conveyed, and that was something Wyatt found difficult to forgive. He was sorry about her family’s current state of affairs, but in a reflective moment, he would admit that in his opinion, they got what they deserved. It was a lucky escape for him, and he knew it.
“Ty and I just ran into her having lunch with Regan and Ethan three or four weeks ago. She was getting help moving offices - downsizing.” Randall described the situation nonchalantly but Tyler was still staring.
“Well, that makes sense, I guess,” Alex offered. “But with her marketing acumen she would be better off jumping ship and closing the doors. She could get a great job with a big ad agency or as a hotshot exec and any company would be thrilled to have her. Away from her father, she might shine.”
Tyler was still staring.
“Knock it off, Tyler,” Randall finally said. “It was nothing.”
“It didn’t look like nothing. You were holding her so tight I thought she would snap in two. Then you offered to shore up her business, which we all know is insane. You know you would have to do that from your personal funds, right? PPHP would never go for it. So just spill. What the hell are you doing?”
“Do you have the hots for Sloane?” Wyatt asked, both insightful and incredulous. “I mean she is gorgeous, and sexy, but she is such a bitch. Trust me, I know.”
Randall sat mute. What could he say? He never lied to his friends - never. But he did have the hots for Sloane and he didn’t want to admit it. Now that he had heard the words out loud, he knew they were true.
“Ah, quite a telling silence,” Alex observed. “How long has this been going on?”
“You know, Randall,” Wyatt declared, “You have always wanted whatever girl I had.” Before Randall could argue, he continued, “First the girl who sat behind me in fourth grade.”
“He’s right! I remember that girl, she was cute,” Tyler chimed in.
“Guys, that was fourth grade, for God’s sake,” Randall countered.
“Well, what about that girl freshman year, with the long braids?” Wyatt pressed.
“Amanda,” Alex provided and they all agreed.
“And after Amanda, you went after my prom date too. Remember? There might have been a cheerleader I missed in between, maybe two.” Randall was protesting vehemently but he knew that Wyatt was spot on.
“And so we arrive at Sloane. You were always trying to touch her, dance with her at events, sit next to her at dinners. I never really thought about it until right now, but you did, Randall.”
“And remember how pissed you were when Wyatt first asked her out. He cut you off just days before you were about to try for her,” Alex continued.
“Really? You never told me that.”
“C’mon Wyatt, you were dating her by then. What was I supposed to say?"
“You know, Randall, you even hit on Keeli that first night you met her. I was pissed at the time, but then I realized you were pretty drunk, so I just figured you were being your typical drunk asshole.”
Randall was stunned. The guys were right about the women, which was staggering by itself. Then there was the gut-punch of hearing Wyatt call him a ‘typical drunk asshole.’ It was alarmingly similar to Sloane’s recent remark.
“Am I an asshole?” Randall asked. Feeling suddenly exposed and vulnerable, he looked from one face to another, knowing these men would tell him the absolute truth. He was actually afraid to hear it.
“Randall, we are just teasing you. If you are interested in Sloane, you should go for it. You know her, so there should be no unwelcome surprises. Actually, you might be perfect for each other. You may be the one person in the world who won’t take shit from her.”
“Tyler’s right, Rand. Go for it. You are welcome to her with all my blessings. I will happily be best man at your wedding.”
“Whoa, Wyatt. Maybe they should date a bit before you marry them off,” Alex suggested.
The men were teasing but Randall had a stunned and serious look on his face that finally registered with them. “You ok?” Alex realized that while the three of them were laughing and joking, Randall had sat looking stricken.
“Seriously, am I an asshole?” Randall asked again.
“No, dude, we love you,” Tyler reassured. “Well, except when you get smashed. Then you actually can be something of an asshole. And being the guy who has to get you home more often than not, I feel free to say so.”
Randall let the information sink in. “So I drink too much,” he stated finally.
“Not most of the time, but sometimes.”
“Yeah, occasionally.”
“You have been known to, sure.”
The three replies came instantly and for the first time, Randall realized he had a problem.
“You know, Sloane told me the same thing but I thought she was just being – you know - Sloane. Starting right now, I am going to watch how much I imbibe and you guys are going to help me. Got it?”
Tyler was about to say something flippant but the intense look on Randall’s face stopped him. The three men looked at each other, not sure how to answer.
“You’re my best friends. I can count on your support, right?”
All three nodded their agreement. Randall relaxed finally, smiling and continuing, “besides, if I start dating Sloane she will nag me every time I have a drink.”
“So, you’re going to go for it with her? I think you should,” Wyatt asked what all three were wondering.
“Well…that is a whole other problem.” Randall looked into the three faces of his oldest and closest friends. This was the most vulnerable he had been with them in years, and now, after saying he was a drunk, he was about to admit he was a snob too.
“She is pretty unwelcome everywhere now. They made her resign as chair for the Children’s Hospital benefit. Her business is failing publicly. I have run into her a few times in the last couple months and – except when she was with your sister, Wyatt - she is always alone. I don’t think anyone wants to be seen with her. And sometimes she looks like she’s about to cry.”
“Sloane?” three incredulous voices asked in unison.
“Yeah, Sloane. She isn’t the tough broad she used to be. Not sure if that is good or bad frankly. But I do know that she is ostracized by everyone. I am just not sure how I feel about being connected with her. Her reputation is pretty much shot.
“First you dumped her, Wyatt.” Wyatt had the grace to look a little embarrassed. It had been a very public breakup. “Then, her father went on trial and to prison. The business papers are all about clients leaving HI. I mean, is this a woman it would be good for me to be seen with? There are people who still wonder if she was guilty too. She is tough as nails to deal with anyway, but with all the extra baggage, she could hurt the sterling PPHP rep we have worked so hard to put out there.”
Randall looked around the table, into three thoughtful faces. Each was considering Randall’s words and his response to them carefully.
“I think everyone thinks she knew what her father was doing but turned a blind eye. After all, they were so close,” Alex finally offered. “So I have to agree that dating her might hurt you professionally. But PPHP is so reputable, you might not just weather this, you might help give Sloane some cache.”
“Alex is right, Randall,” Tyler agreed. “Your firm is known for low-risk investing. Your corporate and personal reputations are better than spotless. If you are seen with Sloane, people will just assume that she must be innocent.”
“Hell, who cares?” Wyatt surprised them all. “She is beautiful, hot and smart and you are interested. I say screw what everyone else thinks. If you want her, Randall, go get her.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“What am I doing here?” Sloane asked herself for the tenth time since leaving home 20 minutes earlier. She was avoiding asking the even harder questions, like why her heart was pumping through her chest in anticipation, or why she had skipped the office this morning so that she could spend extra time on her appearance.
It had been six weeks since she had said those cutting words to Randall and walked away from him. She had argued with herself to apologize from the moment she uttered the words, but her pride would not let her. She had expected never to see him again, at least not intentionally.
Yet here she was, walking into the University Club for a business lunch with Randall Parker III. At his invitation, no less. Well, to be completely precise, at the invitation of a highly professional assistant named Amy who had called last week to schedule this meeting. Sloane had considered saying no, but somehow Amy had her agreeing in just minutes.
She had changed clothes at least three times, trying for the right corporate image. She had already worn her go-to coral dress and hated the idea of something black on such a perfect May afternoon. Everything else left to choose from was too severe, too boring, outdated or just too big.
I really need to stop stressing and start eating again. Maybe after this lunch I will have less to stress about. Please, God, please.
Finally, she settled on her favorite dress from last season---a Max Mara. Sloane knew that she looked good in it. The ocean-blue color set her eyes off to perfection and the shirred waist hugged her frame enough to hint at her slim figure but not so tight as to show her protruding bones. The sleeveless style allowed her to display her perfect pale skin and her toned arms. She added a little light makeup, ran a quick brush through her heavy locks and slid into Jimmy Choo pumps. She had to admit that she looked damn good.
Good, but not so perfect that it looks like I tried too hard. Professional, but approachable. Now, behave that way, Sloane. Don’t lose your temper and you will do just fine.
Coming in from the bright sunlight, Sloane stood for a moment, removing her oversized sunglasses and allowing her eyes to adjust to the dark, cool, and hushed interior. Even with people coming and going, the exclusive club managed to retain its quiet. Before she could spot him, Randall was by her side, welcoming her politely, if aloofly, and suggesting that they head directly upstairs for lunch.
“I was pleasantly surprised to get your call,” Sloane began as they moved toward the ancient elevators, throwing out the first overture as a peace offering.
“I was actually a bit surprised I made it,” Randall confessed with a shy smile.
“Well, that’s honest at least. Now I know where I stand.”
“Do you?” His barely whispered response caused Sloane to look up into Randall’s face, really look, for the first time since she had arrived. She felt a shock of electricity move through her, rattling her nerves and heating the blood rocketing through her veins.
“This is a business lunch, right?” she asked, seeing a certain something in his eyes, suddenly on unsure footing.
“Absolutely,” Randall replied without hesitation.
Calm down, Sloane. Get it together.
Interrupted by several people from the club, Randall made small talk with other members, always introducing Sloane if she was unknown to them, including her if she was recognized. He noticed a few raised eyebrows, but no one challenged him on her presence and soon they were stuffed like sardines into one of the small elevators for the brief ride up to the Front Grill.
Moving toward a table near the dining room windows, Randall stopped at practically every table to shake hands and greet people while exchanging promises of calls and meetings. It seemed to Sloane that everyone in the room wanted to talk to him and she said so when they were finally seated in a somewhat quiet corner.
“I did not realize what a mover and shaker you are,” Sloane observed. “I always assumed your father wielded most of the firm’s power. How unfair of me. You are obviously an important person in a room full of important people. I am impressed.”
“You would have been right a few years ago, but my father has taken to spending more time on the slopes and very little in the office. You know he is an avid skier. Once he felt assured that I could manage things, he started disappearing more often. Surprisingly, I seem to have a knack for investing. I have not ruined the company in his absence.”
Sloane instantly got a stricken look on her face and Randall continued quickly, “That was unthinking of me Sloane. I apologize. It was just a careless remark. Please forgive me.”
Randall had taken Sloane’s hand as he apologized, obviously concerned that he had hurt her feelings. He had, but Sloane quickly forgot about it, focused entirely on the feel of his large hand wrapped around hers, warm and sure. It was such a small thing, holding her hand, yet Sloane could not remember feeling safer than she did right now. Not since she had been young enough to be held in her father’s arms.
Her feelings at that moment were anything but daughterly.
She looked down at Randall’s hand holding hers and he immediately released her, picking up his menu and taking a sip of water as if he didn’t know what to do first.
“So, let’s order, you can fill me in on how you are doing and we can let the crowd thin a bit before we talk shop, alright?”
“Sounds like a good plan,“ Sloane concurred. The server came quickly to take their drink orders and see if they had questions about the menu.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Parker. May I bring you your usual? Something for the lady?”
“I will have a club soda with lime, Andrew,” Randall responded. When Sloane’s head popped up in surprise, Randall simply looked at her with a blank face and offered, “Feel free to have whatever you like. They have some lovely wines.”
“You’re not drinking?” Sloane stammered rudely.
“Not this afternoon, but feel free if you like.”
Everything Sloane considered saying at that moment would have been exceedingly rude so she just nodded, ordered the same club soda, and went back to her menu. She completed missed the cheeky smile that briefly tipped up Randall’s lips.
They each ordered the shrimp special and sipped their drinks struggling for conversation. He asked her about her efforts to find new offices but nothing was happening yet on that front. She asked him about hockey but the season was over. He as
ked about her parents but things grew awkward again when she began speaking about her mother. After all, Marianne was currently visiting her father for her once a month trek to see him in prison. The minimum-security prison was a long trip, she offered as explanation. It was located in Colorado.
“Is he in prison with Rod Blagojevich?” Randall asked, at first joking, then increasingly excited. “Has he met the Governor?”
“You crack me up,” Sloane laughed. “In fact they are in the same prison, but if the ex-governor is sharing any secrets, they are not funneling to me.”
That exchange turned out to be the icebreaker they had needed and from then on, the conversation flowed easily. They shared their reviews of art shows or movies, plays and concerts. It turned out they enjoyed many of the same types of shows and music. They discussed a few new restaurants, but Sloane skirted around the fact that she had not been anywhere recently. Instead, she raved about the one event she had planned: a showing of a Shakespearian play in an outdoor theater located in a small, charming park in suburban Oak Park. Randall was intrigued and said might look into it too.
“They do two shows a summer, so you should have a chance to see one or the other,” Sloane answered with enthusiasm.
“We should plan to do that,” Randall responded. The statement unnerved Sloane and from the look on Randall’s face, it had caught him by surprise as well.
I am sure it was just a turn of phrase. He wouldn’t really be inviting me to join him. It is one thing to invite me to lunch, but an evening of Shakespeare would be too much like a date. Actually, I wonder if he is seeing anyone.
The room had emptied considerably by the time the server cleared their meal and refilled their glasses. Sloane was surprised by how quickly the time had passed. She praised the food and the service, thanking Randall for lunch politely.
“It was my pleasure, Sloane. So,” Randall began, clearly changing direction. “Let’s talk a bit about HI, where you are, what you need and ways that PPHP might assist.”
“Where to start…” Sloane began creasing the tablecloth nervously before she stopped herself and placed both hands demurely in her lap. “Things have been rough. At first, we had a mass exodus, of both clients and our executive team. That was the hardest. Then things settled down a bit and we have been limping along ever since.
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