The Billionaire’s Charade, page 3
He was being so sweet, and that only made her feel more guilty. “Where is Mama?”
“In the dining room. She is preparing for the dinner party tonight. Awe, that’s right, you don’t know about that yet.”
Not everything, she thought. “Who is coming?”
“Sal’s friends. They have been here before. Do you remember the Lawson family?”
“Charlie and his wife Rosslyn?”
“Yes, but it is the entire clan tonight. All of Charlie’s brothers are coming too. They had come once before for a lunch meeting.”
“See all the fun I miss by not working days?” Sofia said laying out the groundwork for when she approached them to switch shifts.
“I am glad you feel that way. Your mama has something she wants to talk to you about.”
Sofia was afraid of that. There was no avoiding the chewing out that was about to commence. But the one thing she knew, her mama wouldn’t do it where the customers could hear. So, she forced a smile and said, “Then I’ll find her now. And don’t forget to stir the gravy.”
She heard her papa grumble as she left the kitchen. He easily got distracted and no way was she letting it burn on account of her. Sure enough, when she entered the dining room her mother was setting up the table in the far corner. No better time than the present.
“Hi Mama. Papa said you wanted to talk to me.”
“Yes. We have an issue.”
And it is with me. “I’m sorry.” She figured she might as well get that out of the way. Why wait until she heard everything she already knew?
“It was about to happen. Change is inevitable.”
“Very true Mama.” But she knew her mother didn’t handle change well. For a recipe, yes, in life, no. “But I’m willing to help out as much as I can.”
Mama turned to her and smiled. “You will?”
She’d probably spoken too soon. Sofia wanted to make her mother happy, but not at the expense of her own happiness. “Mama, I said as much as I can. That’s all I can do.”
Her mother slumped in a seat. “Oh, what am I going to do? I can’t lose her. She is the best waitress I have besides you?”
Sofia blinked and tried to see what she had missed. Obviously, the fact that they weren’t speaking about her. She didn’t want to judge anyone else, but she knew her mother was talking about Emily. “Did she tell you what’s going on?”
“Her husband’s company switched shifts on him without notice. He was forced to take it or lose his job. Since they can’t afford daycare, she now has to switch to working nights. That means I need you here with me to open up and do all the prep, breakfast, and lunch customers. I know this is short notice, but we have no choice. We can’t lose Emily and she can’t afford not to have this income either.”
This was unbelievable. Was it possible that all her worries were for nothing? She was going to be able to have it all, work the restaurant and chase her dreams? It was almost too good to be true, but her mother wasn’t one to joke about such things.
Sofia reached out and placed a hand on her mother’s shoulder. “Don’t worry Mama. I’ve been hoping to take the morning shift too. This works out perfectly.”
“You wanted the morning shift? Why?”
“Because I miss out on so much by working every night.” It was the truth.
Her mother smiled. “Ah. I understand. When do we get to meet him?”
Him? Oh God. Her mother thinks this is about a man? Well it was better than the truth. “Someday Mama.”
Her mother turned back to setting up the table and was singing to herself. There was no sign of her distressed mood from earlier. Everything seemed to be falling into place. Luck? Fate? Who knew? She was just glad that tonight was going to be a lot better than she’d imagined. If anything, things were looking up, not just for her, but for Emily as well.
As she picked up the silverware and started to help, one thought came to mind. Maybe the speed dating isn’t such a silly idea.
* * *
Saying no wasn’t an option when Charles called a meeting. As one of the owners of Lawson Steel, Dylan didn’t want to miss a beat on what was going on. But when he learned the location for the gathering and that Charles was bringing his wife Rosslyn, he no longer felt as though there was an issue. Rosslyn looked like an overblown balloon, waiting to pop. Charles sure as hell wouldn’t expose her to any undue stress.
That also meant any family member not showing up for this dinner might want to plan their funeral. His brother was on edge 24/7. It if wasn’t bad enough being CEO of Lawson Steel, he was doing everything he could to help Rosslyn with her newly acquired company, Grayson Corp. Dylan was a gambling man, but never would’ve bet Charles would be so intimately linked to the competition.
He may not have liked Maxwell Grayson, but Dylan had wanted him in prison, not dead. He wasn’t sure if Charles ever disclosed what they had planned for Maxwell. If Rosslyn did know, she didn’t seem to hold any resentment to the family. That was good, because family is exactly what she was now.
As he opened the door to the restaurant, he scanned the room looking for his brothers. Unfortunately, he seemed to be the first to arrive. A beautiful brunette approached him.
“Table for one?” she asked. He didn’t answer. There was something very familiar about her. As he stared at her she said, “You might be more comfortable at a table.” He heard her mumble, “One facing a wall.”
“You work here?” he asked.
She waved the menus in the air and said, “Great guess. And if you let me seat you, I can even take your order and bring you food too.”
Dylan didn’t like snarky, but then again, she probably didn’t enjoy being stared at either. “I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else.”
Shrugging, she said, “I guess I have one of those faces. Will you be eating alone this evening?”
He wished he was. Somehow, he had a feeling having her as his waitress would be much more fun if he were. “No. I’m meeting my family, however I don’t see any of them yet.”
“The Lawson family?”
He nodded. “At least I know I have the right place.”
She smiled and said, “You do. Follow me and I’ll show you to your table.” Once he was seated, she asked, “Can I get you something to drink while you wait?”
“I’m good for now.”
She put her hand on her hip and said, “You’re staring again.”
“You look so familiar.”
“I’ve been working here for years. My parents own the place.”
“Oh, you’re Sal’s sister.” Dylan had been here once before for lunch with his brothers. She wasn’t their waitress then. “But that can’t be it. You don’t look like Sal at all.”
“Thank God,” she laughed.
“I’m Dylan,” he said, not ready for their conversation to end. It was nagging at him. There was something about her eyes that drew him to her.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Sofia, the waitress. And if I don’t get back to work, that might not be the case for long. Please give me a shout if you change your mind about that drink.” Sofia placed the menu down on the table and hustled off to greet more customers entering.
Any hope of getting her alone again was over. The entire crew had arrived. When they came to the table, Rosslyn said, “We missed you in the limo.”
Gareth shook his head from behind her. Dylan replied, “Sorry, I didn’t want to hold you guys up.”
“Looks like we’re the ones who are late,” Charles said.
Rosslyn shot him a look and asked, “Is that a dig at me? It’s not my fault. The baby is going to come when the baby wants to.”
Dylan knew he’d made the right choice now by taking his own vehicle.
“No sweetheart. I said we, that meant all of us,” Charles said softly.
Gareth walked around the table and took the seat near him. In a low voice, he said, “I’m riding back with you.”
Dylan didn’t respond. The last thing he wanted was for Rosslyn to overhear them. Charles held the chair for her as she wiggled her way into the seat.
Picking up the menu, she said, “I wonder if there is anything on the menu that would help me go into labor.”
“If there is, you should order it to go,” Seth laughed. Rosslyn shot him a look and he said, “Just saying, you’re not next door to your hospital.”
Rosslyn nodded. “I’m sorry guys. My due date was last week, and I guess I’m a bit…testy right now.”
No one said a word. Whatever they said, wouldn’t have been right anyway. Thankfully the owner arrived at their table.
“Well look at you Rosslyn. You’re just glowing,” Maria said.
Rosslyn smiled and said, “Oh mama, I don’t feel glowy. I feel like a whale.”
“Of course you do. We all do when it’s that time. Ok. Stand up and let me take a look at you.” Charles helped his wife back up to her feet and Rosslyn stood there. Maria put her hands on Rosslyn’s stomach and said, “Eat hardy tonight Rosslyn, because you’re having this baby tomorrow.”
Rosslyn beamed with joy and placed her hands on her stomach too. “Really? Tomorrow? Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure,” Maria boasted. Charles helped Rosslyn back onto her chair. “You boys better not have plans tomorrow, because you’re about to become an uncle.”
Dylan looked at his brothers and they all sat tight-lipped. None of them were about to question it, not even Charles.
Rosslyn said, “Then I better have the lasagna, the pasta and meatballs, the cheesecake, and maybe the—”
“Easy sweetheart,” Charles said.
“You think that’s too much?” Rosslyn asked.
“No. Just want you to save room for ice cream on the way home,” Charles added.
Rosslyn leaned over and kissed Charles. “I love the way you think.”
Although Dylan enjoyed seeing his brother happy, this wasn’t how he wanted to spend his night. “When you guys are finished, do you think you can clue us in on why you called this meeting?”
Charles reached over and placed his hand over Rosslyn’s. “Since it looks like we’re having a baby tomorrow, then I’m glad we’re meeting tonight. I decided to take a few weeks off to be home with Rosslyn after the baby is born.”
You could’ve heard a pin drop. Charles had been focused on the company for as long as Dylan could recall. Charles was changing, and Dylan had to admit, he was a bit concerned. “Who’s taking over while you’re away?” It was a valid question, and as far as Dylan thought, it was something they should’ve discussed a long time ago.
“Mom and Dad are coming up to New York for a few months. Mom can’t wait to be a grandmother, like you guys haven’t figured that out already.”
“They are coming here?” Dylan looked to Gareth, knowing that was going to make their plan a bit more difficult. He’d been hoping to get Dad alone and ask questions. “And Dad is doing what exactly?”
Charles replied, “He’s bored and wanted to dabble a bit in the business. It’s not long term, just something to do while he’s here.”
Seth laughed. “And letting him hold on to the reigns of Lawson Steel was the best thing you could come up with?”
Gareth added, “I have to agree with Seth. We’re taking the company in a different direction. He didn’t like our ideas a few years ago, what makes you think he’ll be agreeable now?”
“I don’t,” Charles said flatly. “That’s why I need you five to make sure he doesn’t fuck it up while I’m gone.”
“Charles, that baby,” Rosslyn warned with her hand on her stomach.
Oh, this is going to be fun. If Charles had to watch what he said before the baby was born, Dylan could only imagine what it was going to be like after.
Rosslyn looked across the table directly at Dylan, as though she could read his thoughts. “That goes for you too. I don’t want our son or daughter around such language.”
Dylan waited for her to threaten them with washing their mouth out with soap and water, but she didn’t. From the look in her eyes, she didn’t need to. The saying was true: you don’t mess with a mama. They are fierce creatures who will do anything to protect their young. However, this child was half Lawson, and they were very capable of holding their own. It was a good thing too, because they’d proven to be stubborn and, at times, one hundred percent jackasses. In business it worked well. In relationships, not at all.
“I promise, I’ll be on my best behavior,” Dylan committed, knowing that still wasn’t saying much.
“I really hope so, because I need to ask a huge favor Dylan.”
Swearing wasn’t enough? “I’ll see if I can help.”
Rosslyn smiled. “I’m hoping you can step in and watch things at Grayson Corp. for me while I’m home too?”
“Me? There isn’t someone within Grayson Corp. who would be better suited?”
“I’m sure there is, but suited is one thing, trust is another. I spoke to Charles at length about this, and he informed me you might be the one most willing to take on such a challenge.”
Great Charles. Now you have confidence in me. A year ago, Dylan had been out to prove to his brother that he could run the company as well, if not better, than he did. Now he wasn’t so sure he wanted the job. And either way, he definitely didn’t want it at their former competitor.
“Rosslyn, you taking over the company was one thing, you’re a Grayson. I’m not sure putting a Lawson in charge, even temporarily, would be wise. What makes you think they’ll listen to a word I say?”
“First of all, they weren’t that fond of my Uncle Max. They did what he said because they feared him. That’s not how I run the place. I run it with mutual respect.
Naïve. They will eat you up and spit you out. They may have feared her uncle, but they stayed out of greed. They loved the money more than anything else. It was a lesson she was going to learn, and hopefully Charles could help ease the pain when she did. There was no room for friendship in business.
Maybe she was right, and he was the correct person for the job. It’d give him a chance to feel things out at Grayson Corp. and set a few people straight who might think she didn’t have some serious backing on her side. It shouldn’t matter what name was on the side of the building. Rosslyn was a Lawson now, and her company now fell under their protective umbrella. I just hope I don’t sink it while she’s gone.
“You’re having a baby tomorrow, remember? When do you think you’ll need me there?” Dylan asked.
“Tomorrow,” she grinned. “Don’t worry. I have my assistant Liz ready and able to help you with whatever you need. She’s been with the company for long time and knows just about everyone in the building.”
“So she worked for Maxwell?” Dylan asked. She nodded. That already was a flag to him. First thing Rosslyn should’ve done was clean house and get rid of all the people who were loyal to Maxwell. Just filling in, not taking over. It was going to be hard to hold back and not do a clean sweep of the place. But that would be an impulsive move, and one he didn’t have the right or authority make. That didn’t mean it shouldn’t be done.
“I’ll be there. Tell your assistant I take my coffee black.”
Rosslyn laughed. “I can tell her, and she’ll say you should pick it up on your way in. Liz is no pushover.” There was an odd expression that came over her face, then her eyes widened. “Charles, I think we need to call this dinner meeting short.”
“What’s wrong sweetheart?” he asked.
“I think my water just broke.”
Charles was up and out of his seat barking orders as though Rosslyn was about to have the baby right there in the restaurant. Maria came out of the kitchen when she heard all the commotion and took control, not that she was any quieter than Charles was. Dylan stepped back and let them sort it out. This wasn’t his wife and delivering a baby wasn’t going to happen. Hell, he didn’t even want to witness it.
“Don’t worry. My mother will have them all calmed down and on their way before you know it,” Sofia said softly next to him.
He’d been so distracted with all the shouting that he hadn’t even heard her approach. “I’m surprised you’re not over there helping.”
She wrinkled her nose and said, “I’m a waitress, not a doctor. Besides, I haven’t had a baby. What do I know about it?” Probably more than me. “Why don’t you come over to the other side of the room and I’ll get you that drink. You look like you could use one right now.”
“I think you’re right.” He followed her and sat at the bar.
“What can I get you?” she asked.
“Anything on tap.” Right now, he wasn’t picky. If he was home, he’d have a shot of bourbon or two. But not only was he driving, he needed a clear head in case something did go wrong and he was needed. Not that he could do anything, but at least he’d be focused enough to know it.
Sofia handed him a glass of beer and then said, “She’s going to be fine. Women have babies all the time.”
“I’m not worried about Rosslyn; it’s my brother that looks like hell. I’m not sure he’s ready.”
Sofia chuckled softly. “I think all expectant fathers look like that. It’s the only time you have absolutely no control over anything and you can’t stand it.”
Dylan turned to her to correct that statement, but then realized she was right. Charles wasn’t getting soft on them, he was just out of his element. Babies weren’t like constructing a building. You can plan on things, but they turn out the way they want, no matter what.
“And this is why I’m staying single,” Dylan said and guzzled his beer.
She raised her glass of water and said, “Me too.”
When Dylan turned back, he saw Charles helping Rosslyn out the door. His four other brothers stood there, just watching. “You might want to pour four more. I think we’re about to get company.”
Sofia looked at the men then went back around the bar and did as Dylan suggested. Even before they had taken a seat, their tallboy beers were lined up and ready.
Seth, Jordan, and Ethan grabbed their beers and didn’t say a word. Gareth, on the other hand, did. “So this is why you left us in such a hurry.” If there was a pretty woman in a fifty-mile radius, Gareth didn’t miss it. “And what is your name?”
