The Kane Cross (Cross 1)

20 - Jimmy

"Like the way we were in Aspen. Not in the real world. Not for the paparazzi to see and not for your family. Sorry, not interested."

She slid over and pressed herself against the window. Baxter shut his eyes. The truth was three days together pretending wasn't enough to convince him to disrupt his life. Dating Ivy would be a disruption. He would have to deal with rumors, his parents, Tate. She was still an employee. He wanted to offer her a job upon graduation regardless of if they needed another attorney. Union liaison could be her title, but she spent years in law school.

"Have you decided what kind of law interests you?"

She looked at him as if he spoke in a different language. "I've been thinking about it. I even changed my electives."

"I'm listening."

"Glad to know. You asked a question and you're listening for my answer."

Except for his siblings, no one spoke to him like she did. He should hate it, but he had a deep affection for her tongue.

"Go on."

"Labor and employment."

He smiled. "I was just wishing you were not overqualified to be a union liaison. When you apply for jobs, use me as a reference. I'll share the integral part you played in these negotiations."

She blushed. "Thank you. You know I care more about those workers than your bottom line. Did you ever stop to think you're rich enough?"

He smiled a slow smile. On a whim, once or twice when he thought about running away from all the pressure. Clearing his throat, he looked at her and clung to his train of thought before it evaporated. "It's about more than money. I need to come from a position of strength or in the next negotiation they'll be fighting for a thirty-hour work week."

"Exaggeration."

"How about it's my job to keep the business solvent and grow it for future generations. We've already taken a hit with the trend to work from home."

"But you keep buying buildings."

He nodded. "And selling some too. I am floating the idea of converting some into residential properties. It's a unique business for us. These maintenance workers might have to be on call and not hold to business hours. I need to get provisions in the contract in case my father agrees." He looked up. "We're here. Ivy, no one knows my idea. At least, no one in the family."

"I'm good at keeping secrets."

"Drive into the garage. If they are inside, I'll call security."

The garage was quiet, so they both slipped out of the car into the safety of the building. Baxter didn't speak to her, and as she stepped on the elevator, he stepped back to wait for the next one. Her frown as the doors closed said it all. He didn't want her dragged into the muck he waded through because he had been born a Kane.

On the twentieth floor, Danielle looked up from her screen. "That took a long time. How'd it go?"

"We made progress. What'd I miss?"

"Your mother is worried about the flurry of stories. She wanted to know if it was really over with Priscilla."

Baxter shut his eyes. Amelia had a problem with listening to what he said. "What did you tell her?"

"Any woman who spreads gossip about the size of a man's penis deserves to be alone."

"You didn't." He stared at her. She had a tell when she lied, her tongue in her cheek. He had told her to never play poker.