Page 144 of Filthy Hot Billionaire
“Have a seat.” I gestured to the guest chairs in front of my desk.
While it would’ve been easy to shut off work for a little while and shift my priorities where I felt they should be, there were answers I needed before we could proceed with the plans for Delta June’s. Until I knew Emily’s stance on it, I would continue to remain at a standstill, which didn’t sit well with me.
I carried the drink I’d poured over and offered it to Kieran. When he accepted, I returned and poured myself one.
“Can I have Lisa bring you anything?” I offered Emily when I approached my desk, knowing she would refuse the scotch if I offered. I found her distaste for alcohol oddly endearing.
She was studying me closely. “I’m good. Thank you.”
I took a seat in my desk chair, leaned back, and took a sip, letting the heat of the scotch burn all the way down my throat. “I need to be back in New York first thing tomorrow.” I looked at Kieran. “If you need to stay here, I’ll call for my jet.”
Kieran shook his head. “I need to get back as well.”
My gaze moved to Emily. “Have you gotten the information you needed?”
“What information would that be?”
“Whatever’s necessary for you to make a decision about school.”
She leaned back, crossed her legs at the knee. “I’m torn.”
“Between?”
“Finishing out this semester or withdrawing.”
I already knew the answer, but I asked, “How many classes are you taking?”
“Four. That keeps me at full-time status, which I was told was a requirement for keeping my scholarship.”
I figured it wouldn’t fare well for me to tell her I was the one footing the bill for her classes, so I kept it to myself.
“Do you intend to go next semester?”
She nibbled on her lower lip, her gaze locked with mine. “If I were to make a decision right now, based on everything I’ve learned the past couple of days, I could easily say no.”
“What’s holding you back, love?” Kieran inquired.
“I feel as though I’m failing my commitments, and I don’t want to be that person.”
“What person’s that?” I asked.
“The one who can’t follow through.”
I could understand that, appreciate it, even. At the same time, I wasn’t one to prevaricate. If I wanted something, I pursued it. And based on what I’d learned about Emily, graduating from college wasn’t something she wanted. It wasn’t fulfilling her the way she’d thought it would.
“The decision’s yours,” I told her.
“What would you do?” she asked pointedly.
“I’d follow my passion.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“Nothing’s easy, Em. If it were, it wouldn’t be worth it.”
The three of us remained silent for a moment, but I could practically hear the wheels turning in Emily’s head.
“I have some ideas for Delta June’s,” she finally said. “Not many changes, but there are some things I’d like to see before we set up the first auction.”
