The Merger

Chapter 41

Lucas Handler

"So glad you made it, man! It's good to finally meet in person."

"Yeah, of course. This is a sweet house you got. I feel like I've been here before," Gary says as he lifts his drink toward the house.

After I found out Dad invited a few clients to the party, I followed up with Gary with an invite. As much as I would prefer meeting over a round of golf, my schedule is getting busier the closer we get to completing the merger.

"Oh, maybe you have! I was just thinking I feel like we've met before in person. You look very familiar." I try to put my finger on it, but I'm coming up with nothing.

"Did you go to Harvard?"

"Ahh yes! I did! What year were you?"

"The same year as Talia Nassar."

I nod while my forehead grows tight. Gary knows Talia?

It hits me like an unwanted riptide. This could very well be the Gary that Talia talked about. The one that broke her heart. My fists clench for a moment and I try to soften my grimace but my skin starts heating up. "Oh, so you know Talia already?"

"Yeah, we used to date. And fuck, of course." Gary chuckles and I try to keep a straight face.

Picturing her with any other man makes me fucking sick. Even though Talia and Gary are ancient history, I could do without the image. "I hope it's not weird then that she's Co-President with me. If you need to switch companies I understand." I keep my voice as calm as possible but my mind is spinning.

What the fuck? What are the chances? Why didn't I look into him more?

If Talia sees Gary, it'd likely bring up unwanted memories, and things are just starting to get back on track with us. The flirtatiousness and little touches throughout the game with her were like small pumps of air into the balloon of hope of us finally being together. Waiting for her to give me an answer is testing my patience like nothing else in my life. And after that small kiss we shared, there is now a real, tangible hope for something more.

Forget buttering Gary up, I'm now ready to convince him why Legacy Wealth would be the worst option for him. I glance around, making sure Talia isn't close by when Gary's voice pulls me back.

"No, all good. I heard through the grapevine that you guys are competing for CEO so it's only a matter of time before it's just you that I'll be working with."

"What?"

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but Talia doesn't seem like the type to lead a company. I know she's sort of a leader now, but what she's doing is different from a CEO."

What the fuck?

"Well, there's a fifty-fifty chance between us and even if she were to stay on as President, she'd be working with all of our clients, including you."

Gary scoffs. "Yeah, that's a load of shit. I'm calling it now. You'll get the position and then Talia will quit or get fired because she wouldn't be able to handle it."

This guy is asking to get smacked. I keep telling myself to calm down and not make a scene, but this asshole is practically begging for it.

"What?" Gary raises a brow. "Does that make you mad?" His eyes grow wide and then narrow before he adds, "Are you guys fucking?"

"Who's Lucas fucking?" A voice calls out too loudly from the side.

I turn to find one of my old friends, Andrew, whom I haven't seen in years, approaching with another guy next to him. I met Andrew in college. We'd see each other every few years for random events, but would always get into trouble when hanging out. The gangly guy liked to drink. A lot. And when I'm around him, we'd always end up out drinking like there is no tomorrow.