Page 49 of Nefarious
“What about the others? Is there nobody else who might object?”
“But I got here first.” Anthony’s tone reminded Dane of a teenager. He hadn’t heard a whine that petulant since he’d started shaving.
“That might work in musical chairs, but we should probably make sure nobody will file a complaint of favoritism.”
Anthony smiled at the word as though he had been named a favorite. “Of course. But then if nobody minds, you’ll teach me?”
Dane sighed. “Yes.” It would be all vanilla mortgages and by-the-numbers securities, but he’d teach the kid the trade. Anthony felt like the kind of intern who would come back again in a year. It wouldn’t hurt to have another ally on the trading floor. That was how he’d started paying Leonard to do be his eyes an ears.
He assumed that was the end of the conversation, but Anthony continued to stand, examining his hands until Dane asked, “Is that all?”
Anthony took another halting step forward and then seemed to make up his mind all at once, hurrying over to the chair facing Dane’s desk. “I was hoping you might be able to give me some advice.”
“If you end up interning with me, I’ll give you plenty of advice.”
“About girls.”
Dane regretfully closed his laptop completely and gave Anthony his full attention. “What do you want to know?”
Anthony swallowed. “It’s just that you’re obviously very, uh—” He shifted a little. “I completely missed an opportunity to take a girl out—er, I mean, a woman. She asked me to go out with her, to talk about finances outside of work. I didn’t realize until much later that she meant it as something more than that. But now I don’t know if I’ve totally blown it. She hasn’t paid me any attention all day.”
“All day? Does she work here?” Then he remembered. “Is it Selena?”
Anthony looked stunned, but then his eyes cleared, and he said, “Right. Selena.”
Dane would have thought the kid would remember having confided in him about the girl just a week before. His hero worship of Dane must have blotted out the details. “It’s no big deal. Ask her to do something casual with you, like coffee. If she says no, it won’t be too awkward.”
“You think she’ll say no?” Anthony’s freak out had killed Dane’s mood.
He was on the verge of telling Anthony he no longer stood a chance since Selena’s gaze had shifted to an older, more experienced man. But he decided to take pity. As long as Dane wasn’t encouraging Selena, Anthony might stand a chance. It almost made him want to get involved with her just to prove to himself he could still beat out a young guy. Maybe Val was right, and he was just out to prove he was still vital.
He proposed a different obstacle. “She might be reluctant to date her direct competition.”
Anthony’s forehead creased. “I honestly don’t think that will be a problem, but how can I convince her?”
He leaned in. “What you’re going to do is find her right now, wherever she is. Tell her she’s been on your mind all day. Tell her you regretted the missed opportunity to take her out. Ask her if she’d let you take her to dinner. And if—when—she says yes, you better find a decent restaurant to take her to. No road signs on the walls.”
Anthony almost looked convinced. “But what about the casual date? The coffee?”
“Look. You could do that to test the waters, but she’ll know that’s what you’re doing, and she’ll doubt your intentions. Go for broke, man. If she likes you at all, you can win her over with a big gesture.”
“I’m going to do it.” He jumped up. “Thanks. You’re awesome.”
Finally, Anthony left Dane alone with his thoughts. There were days Dane wanted to quit this pointless job. His bi-weekly paycheck went straight to his accountant who used it to pay the taxes he owed on his massive fortune. If there was anything left from that, Dane considered it spending cash. He could make do without the job. But on days like this, he remembered what made it fun. Alone in his house surrounded by money, he’d never have anyone to play with.
My dearest Geraldo,
How are you enjoying the summer in Germany?
Honestly, I don’t care, but one needs to begin with pleasantries. I know you find it as dull as I do, so I’ll cut to the pertinent. Your daughter has been to see me, and the poor dear is rather distraught over your refusal to allow her to maximize her training here with us. A child like that might have words to say about her overbearing father, wouldn’t you think?
I assure you that she will no longer be mentored directly under anyone other than myself. I trust that will satisfy you? If you have an issue with this arrangement, I suggest you come and fetch her yourself. She seems rather eager to learn everything I have to teach her. I’m eager to hear everything she has to tell me.
Val
The bar had no atmosphere, but it had plenty of cheap liquor which made it a top destination for the down and out. As such, none of his co-workers frequented this seedy hole in the wall. Dane ordered a glass of scotch and then wiped the rim with a napkin. He didn’t trust the napkin either but figured the booze would kill the rest of the germs.
Morty came in, sodden and disheveled. He wound his way back to Dane’s booth and took a seat.
