My mouth quirked. Good one. “Was Sam ever…did he go after younger women?”
“Sam never left work long enough to chase women. But he was a man. I’m sure he would’ve liked them young.”
Didn’t answer my question.
“What brought that question on? Prospective siblings coming out of the woodwork now that news of his fortune going to you is out?” She chortled. “Little do they know— Well, you should have paternity done before anything.”
Little did they know what? “No. I just don’t know why he’d cut me off after the divorce but leave everything to me.”
My mom went quiet. Unusual for her. I waited for the derogatory dig about my father, but nothing.
“He couldn’t get over his bitterness, Wes. It’s not your fault.”
Color me shocked that my mother had said something halfway meant to comfort me. She’d always blown it off as Sam’s reaction to the divorce and taking it out on me. This was the first time I’d believed her.
“Did you hear about the cold front coming through?” she continued. “We might get snow and it’s not even December. Have you thought more about the villa?”
“If you want to do it, go for it.” With your own money.
“You know I can’t afford it. Wesley, the winters are harder and harder for me to get through.”
Wow. She sounded serious.
“And since you never invite me over and never meet me out, I might as well not stay in Minnesota.”
Someone knocked on the door. Probably Franklin.
“All right, Mom. I’ve gotta go. Why don’t you stop by sometime this weekend and we’ll talk.”
I barely got her off the phone without hanging up on her, but not even I hung up on my mom.
“Come on in, Franklin.”
Sam’s old assistant scurried in. “Good news, Mr. Robson. Johnson, Harwood, and Crest dropped their suit against Robson Industries.”
“What?”
Franklin’s gray brows shot up. I hadn’t sounded happy. Admittedly, my first thought was that I wouldn’t see Mara again. She’d be at the proceedings—I’d hoped.
“It’s over,” Franklin echoed his thoughts. “We must, however, discuss New York.”
I listened in a daze, giving a grunt to affirm Franklin’s actions. Combined with Helen’s earlier news about the city, the dropped lawsuit finalized the last business I had with Mara Baranski.
It was over.
Chapter 20
Mara
I clasped my sweaty palms. I was perspiring in my new business suit, and dang it, it was dry-clean only. TGIF, though.
Enduring my third interview of the week, I smiled politely and answered every question as confidently as possible. No job history as an executive assistant, but I still had experience.
A glance out the window gave me the view of another twenty-floor office building with a face of glass. So city, so refined. I’d grown up here, but downtown Minneapolis was nothing like the little area I’d lived in.
“You owned your own business?” the woman from the three-person interview panel asked.
“Yes, ma’am.” I coveted the woman’s bottle of water.
The young man who had to be close to my age asked the next question. “Going from running your place, to helping someone else run a business…”
I hated explaining my work history. Technically, my business hadn’t failed. I’d formed a succinct answer early on, lest they think I’d run it into the ground. “I leased space in a building owned by Robson Industries, and when his son took over, he had other plans for the property.”
The older woman popped her head up from Mara’s papers. “Is that the lot by Mr. Robson’s office tower?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She smiled. “What a coincidence. Mr. Robson owns this building, as well.”
My smile drooped.
One of the men snorted. “Give him enough time and he’ll own half the city.”
The interview wrapped up after several more questions and too many “I don’t have the answer, but I’ll make sure I find out” answers.
I drove home, numb from yet another interview pointing out my lack of experience and a college degree.
I was sadly underqualified for every job I’d interviewed for. Hard work and ambition only went so far. Desperation was pushing out the worry of working for another man who’d take advantage of me.
As soon as I changed into pajamas, I jumped online to research who owned all of the buildings where the companies I’d met with were located. Two out of three.
What if they hired me and Wes found out? Then I’d have to apply at places who were Robson-independent.
Two more meetings set up next week. One was in the same building as another place I’d been in. Owned by Robson Industries.
Was I going to be screening every possible employment opportunity?
Ridiculous. I was an adult and so was he.
Could I blame him? He didn’t trust me over Sam, and then I’d made myself a nuisance with the help of Chris and Ephraim. It was over and done—and he held all the power. I refused to cower in the shadow of Wes Robson and let it affect my ability to get a damn job. So I knew who he was. We’d had a relationship. I could talk to him like an adult and he could suck it up. But at least I’d know if I had any limitations in regards to job hunting.
I checked the time. Friday night. Would he be at Canon?
Talking myself out of it wasn’t worth the stress during job hunting. I changed into the same outfit I’d worn that first night and with another round of sweaty palms, I drove to Canon.
The same bouncer stood guard and I received a more appreciative look than last time. Must be the hair. It was still pinned up in a French bun and as I passed a mirrored column, my new highlights gleamed under the marquis lights.
Like last time, I went straight to the bar. Same bartender. Could this night get any more déjà vu?
“What’ll you have?” He set a coaster in front of me.
“I’ll have the pop star’s wine and I need to talk to Wes.”
He rewarded my courage with a bored blink. “He’s not here. I’ll get your drink.”
As he poured my wine,
