Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96454 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96454 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“I don’t think you understand that world,” Heath tries as my mom goes to open the door. “It’s not as glamorous as it seems. It’s mostly just hard work. And I’m lucky to have someone like Ivy who’s willing to help with the stuff I don’t understand. She’s really good at what she does.”
“Then why is she back here?” My mother knows how to dig the knife in. She opens the door, and my hopes for a low-drama exit are quickly dashed.
“CeCe?” I didn’t know she knew there was a nine in the morning. She’s more of a late-night person. “What are you doing here?”
She’s dressed to kill in an all-white pantsuit that plays off the royal blue of her blouse and shows off the unholy amount of Cartier the woman is wearing. I don’t know how she lifts her arms sometimes. She breezes past my mother and into the apartment. “Well, darling, you went missing last night. I was worried.”
“You could have called.” I look over, and it’s easy to see my mom is not happy about the new guest.
She waves that idea off. “I was so worried I had to see your face. Why on earth are you wearing that? It doesn’t fit at all. Now tell me why your friends called looking for you last night.”
“Well of course they called you,” my mother says with an angry huff.
CeCe turns to her. “Yes, of course they did. Harper and the other one know how fond I am of Ivy and that my home is always open to her. I was, quite frankly, surprised she came back to this place.”
“Well, it’s her home, so naturally she came back here, and that other girl’s name is Anika,” my mother responds, her eyes narrowing. “I’m surprised you remember Harper’s name.”
“Oh, she’s a very angry girl. I found her amusing, so I remember her name.” If CeCe is upset by my mother’s vehemence, she doesn’t show it. She merely turns my way. “Now, what happened and have you settled things with your friends? Because I need you focused. I’ve scheduled several meetings for you next month, including a presentation with Gavin Huffman.”
“Holy crap,” Heath breathes. “Even I know who he is.”
He’s a mega billionaire, and he got there funding winning projects. He rarely takes on a project that doesn’t end up making millions. I’m caught between excitement and utter dread. “I don’t know that we’ll be ready in a month.”
“Of course you will. Hire more people if you need to,” CeCe says. “I’m opening the purse strings.”
“And what will you get out of it?” My mother is itching for a fight.
“Well, I’m going to end up with a percentage of the company, of course. We haven’t settled the details,” CeCe explains.
“You’re going to take all their hard work for yourself is what you’re going to do,” my mother accuses.
Her definition of hard work seems to change based on who she’s arguing with. I’m still reeling from the news that we’re meeting with Huffman. Huffman money could change our lives, could open whole worlds for us. CeCe could fund a small team, but Huffman could put us on the map. If it got out that Huffman is willing to meet with us, honestly, even if he ends up turning us down, we’ll have more interest than we can handle.
“Breathe,” Heath whispers in my ear. “You can handle it. It’s going to be fine.”
But he’s not thinking about all the things we’re going to need for that meeting. Some kind of proof of concept. Proof we’re working on the patents that will be so valuable.
“I’m the reason they can work at all,” CeCe counters, still arguing with my mom. “I know you think it’s noble to live in poverty, but money makes the world move. Especially the business world.”
And I realize I’m not sure what we’re meeting with Huffman about. “Why is he interested?”
CeCe turns my way again. “Well, the surprising thing is what he’s truly interested in is the matchmaking program.” She shrugs. “He thinks it’s time for something new and that the idea of an actual matchmaker behind it is interesting. So you need to shift your focus.”
But everything I’ve been working on is focused on the AI and possibly opening up the framework Heath’s built over the years. I’ve only got a month.
Heath has the biggest grin on his face, and I wonder what it’s taking for him to not fist pump right now.
“What about what she thinks?” my mother asks. “Do you ever ask her? Or do you simply order her around?”
CeCe turns, her jaw going stubborn. “Lady, I don’t understand your problem with me but I’m sick of it.”
Heath takes my hand as they start to circle each other like two velociraptors ready to rumble. “And it’s time to go.”