booming, thanks in large part to a recent article in a top trade journal, and he’d planned to bring Abby there when she visited so they could record her songs. Beyond that, he’d been searching for a creative outlet to sink his teeth into while getting his foundation under way. This opportunity could be ideal.
Which meant there had to be a catch. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“There’s nothing wrong with the studio, if that’s what you mean.” Stone said, a bite of irritation in his tone. “I’ve recently decided to simplify my portfolio and, as I rarely make it down to New Orleans these days, it’s an obvious choice.” Ice cubes clinked in his glass as he took a short sip. “When your proposal hit my desk and I remembered you lived there, it seemed to be a sign.” He leveled Charlie with a glance. “You help me out, I help you out.”
Charlie caught the man’s meaning, but for the life of him, he couldn’t find a downside. The answer to all his troubles had fallen into his lap. Buying Stone out of his share of Strange Wheel would ensure his foundation’s success, it’d help earn back the CEO’s trust, and it would give him another outlet. A way to fill the void now that women were off the table. The choice was obvious.
“Strange Wheel is an incredible setup,” he said, holding out a hand. His boss clasped it with his own. “As long as my lawyers don’t find anything objectionable, I’d be honored to be a part of it.”
What passed for relief overtook Stone’s features, and a faint warning rang in the back of Charlie’s mind. “So, would this be a silent partner situation, or are they looking for a more hands-on role? Blue leaves on tour at the end of August…”
“That’s fine, that’s fine.” The odd look from earlier crept back. “They know about your fall schedule. Actually, you’d only be required to be an active participant this summer. They’d like for you to lead up a few marketing efforts and oversee the two interns.”
Charlie shrugged. Sounded good to him. “Should be easy enough. How tough could managing a couple of newbies be?” Turning, he caught the bartender’s eye and signaled for another beer. Had he known a monkey suit could lead to all this, he’d have worn one more often.
Drink in hand, he spun back to find his boss frowning into his rum and Coke. “It will be easy. In fact, I can personally vouch for one intern in particular.”
That warning bell in his head? It suddenly got a whole lot louder.
“My daughter, Arabella, has been chosen for the summer term.” Stone’s stern face transformed with a slight smile, and he raised his head. “Actually, Tucker, that’ll be your main task until you leave on tour. Keeping an eye on her. Helping her find her way at the studio, and making sure she stays safe and out of trouble.” He narrowed his eyes. “And out of the tabloids.”
There was the catch.
Charlie wasn’t stupid. He’d known there was something the man wasn’t telling him and, reading between the lines, he finally understood. If he wanted Stone to invest in the foundation, to sit on the board and use his name to get other big shots to do the same, Charlie would have to spend the summer babysitting his daughter.
That wasn’t exactly the role he’d had in mind when they shook hands. He wanted to experiment with music and help artists find their sound. He certainly didn’t want to fill the next three months with chaperoning duty. But then, could beggars really be choosers?
Charlie wanted back in his boss’s good graces, and he needed the man’s help with his foundation. It was the only way he could make it right after not being there for Abby when it truly counted. Surely that was worth a few hours playing “manny” over the summer. As for keeping the girl out of trouble and out of the tabloids…
A vision of a debutante with a mouthful of braces flashed in his mind. The last time Charlie had seen Arabella Stone, she’d been a
Which meant there had to be a catch. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“There’s nothing wrong with the studio, if that’s what you mean.” Stone said, a bite of irritation in his tone. “I’ve recently decided to simplify my portfolio and, as I rarely make it down to New Orleans these days, it’s an obvious choice.” Ice cubes clinked in his glass as he took a short sip. “When your proposal hit my desk and I remembered you lived there, it seemed to be a sign.” He leveled Charlie with a glance. “You help me out, I help you out.”
Charlie caught the man’s meaning, but for the life of him, he couldn’t find a downside. The answer to all his troubles had fallen into his lap. Buying Stone out of his share of Strange Wheel would ensure his foundation’s success, it’d help earn back the CEO’s trust, and it would give him another outlet. A way to fill the void now that women were off the table. The choice was obvious.
“Strange Wheel is an incredible setup,” he said, holding out a hand. His boss clasped it with his own. “As long as my lawyers don’t find anything objectionable, I’d be honored to be a part of it.”
What passed for relief overtook Stone’s features, and a faint warning rang in the back of Charlie’s mind. “So, would this be a silent partner situation, or are they looking for a more hands-on role? Blue leaves on tour at the end of August…”
“That’s fine, that’s fine.” The odd look from earlier crept back. “They know about your fall schedule. Actually, you’d only be required to be an active participant this summer. They’d like for you to lead up a few marketing efforts and oversee the two interns.”
Charlie shrugged. Sounded good to him. “Should be easy enough. How tough could managing a couple of newbies be?” Turning, he caught the bartender’s eye and signaled for another beer. Had he known a monkey suit could lead to all this, he’d have worn one more often.
Drink in hand, he spun back to find his boss frowning into his rum and Coke. “It will be easy. In fact, I can personally vouch for one intern in particular.”
That warning bell in his head? It suddenly got a whole lot louder.
“My daughter, Arabella, has been chosen for the summer term.” Stone’s stern face transformed with a slight smile, and he raised his head. “Actually, Tucker, that’ll be your main task until you leave on tour. Keeping an eye on her. Helping her find her way at the studio, and making sure she stays safe and out of trouble.” He narrowed his eyes. “And out of the tabloids.”
There was the catch.
Charlie wasn’t stupid. He’d known there was something the man wasn’t telling him and, reading between the lines, he finally understood. If he wanted Stone to invest in the foundation, to sit on the board and use his name to get other big shots to do the same, Charlie would have to spend the summer babysitting his daughter.
That wasn’t exactly the role he’d had in mind when they shook hands. He wanted to experiment with music and help artists find their sound. He certainly didn’t want to fill the next three months with chaperoning duty. But then, could beggars really be choosers?
Charlie wanted back in his boss’s good graces, and he needed the man’s help with his foundation. It was the only way he could make it right after not being there for Abby when it truly counted. Surely that was worth a few hours playing “manny” over the summer. As for keeping the girl out of trouble and out of the tabloids…
A vision of a debutante with a mouthful of braces flashed in his mind. The last time Charlie had seen Arabella Stone, she’d been a
Similar Books
