Page 69 (1/2)

"Keep e, already dialing Mike’s office, but I hang up before I get an answer There is h the nal of a bigger picture I slide into the car, and dial e I’ s, there is always a winning play within reach

EMILY

The energy Brandon Senior brings to the office when he’s in poor health makes me wonder what this place must have been like when he was in his pri success The ing off the hook hat feels like a ling yet et lunch for Brandon Senior, concerned that he refuses to eat considering his blue suit and yellow tie look like they were ut-wrenching one froer memories of my own father

It’s almost time for Shane’s mother to arrive for our lunch, and I dart into Senior’s office despite hi on his desk I’m about to head back to my desk when he ends the call, and surprises me "Is that a new dress, Ms Stevens?"

"It is," I say, feeling aard about this leading to Shane, but instead he says, "About damn time Funeral black does not suiton my wardrobe, but I say, "No black Duly noted Are you sure you don’t want sonoringwith my wife today"

"I am I hope that’s okay?"

"As if I’d have a say in theabout"

"I kind of like that she’s the only person who can get her ith you It’s rather roet your ithus back to the earlier conversation about my influence on Shane "Would he drink the tea because you told hi it such a weird analogy, but clearly it’s soame

"Yes," he confirms "Tea Would my son drink the tea if you told hi to beat hiame

"Assu to disappoint you, but it’s very doubtful he’d drink the tea"

He narrows his eyes on me "What would you have done today with Derek had I not appeared?"