The Kane Cross (Cross 1)

30 - The board

Baxter sighed as he and Danielle stepped off the plane after a three-day trip. His assistant wasn't happy they worked all weekend, but he promised her two days off as soon as he made his presentation. They had a whirlwind trip to five cities in three days touring vacancies in multiple buildings. Their occupancy rates had been slowly declining and he couldn't sit back and wait for things to turn around.

Danielle frowned at him as he ushered her into the car. They had just spent the six hours from San Francisco working on compiling their findings. "Sorry. At least I bought you chocolate."

"It's a good thing I enjoy working for you and I don't have a social life."

"You should."

She glared at him. "You should too. How's Ivy?"

He shrugged, but Dannielle knew he liked her. "What's the point? My mother..."

"She's not Kane material, but your happiness is a factor."

"You sound like a bullet item, all business. I was thinking about telling Tate."

"Telling her what exactly."

He shrugged. "That I like her best friend."

"You sound so middle school." Danielle laughed wearily. "I'm too tired to think, but I would think Tate would be happy if you liked a girl like Ivy and not another one like Silly."

He rolled his eyes. "Not you too. You spend too much time with my sisters. Remember your loyalty is to me."

"I know, boss."

After they dropped Danielle at her place, Baxter almost gave a Cambridge address but stopped himself. What was he going to do when he showed up at Eleanor's place? He really wished Ivy didn't live with one of his employees.

The next morning, he left the house early before seeing anyone in his family. Baxter was at his desk working before any of his staff was in. He jumped when Tate appeared.

She looked around his office. "You're early. Scotty told me you were in. I asked if he was sure because you're always late."

He frowned but the security guard knew the truth. "I have a lot of work to do before our meeting."

"Did you and Dani enjoy your getaway?"

Baxter stared at his sister. "You know there is nothing between me and Danielle. She is my employee. I am her direct supervisor."

"I didn't think so, but you seem different lately. Not so sharp around the edges. I thought. I had hoped you found someone."

"Maybe I have my eye on someone. How would you feel if she wasn't like us?"

"Like us? You mean she didn't grow up with a trust fund and huge expectations that only you and I take seriously?" He nodded his head. "Where did you find her?"

"I'm not ready to say anything else. Mother has been harping on me my whole life about a suitable partner. Our definitions don't match."

"Partner. You don't mean a male?"

"No. Have you met me before?" He glared at his sister.

"Well, you weren't into Priscilla."

"Because I was not into Priscilla. She is everything mother wants for me and nothing like what I want."

"Forget about mother. You run the company and no one else will step up."

"Ned would love to."

"Cousin Ned is a prick. The one thing mother wants more than for you to marry a Priscilla is for dad to retire and you can make that happen."