My breath caught in my chest, I follow him into the building. The whole place seems busier than it usually does, perhaps because two whole Mulroneys are here. Chattering emits from the few doors we walk past on our way to the office, and several people nod and smile at the older man striding next to me.
I let him go through the door first, not only trying to be respectful but also trying to hide from Simon’s line of sight. I’m having my best day in weeks, and I don’t need his sour puss face ruining it.
Dana isn’t in the office, and neither are Chuck and Daniel. Simon’s door is closed, though, and David goes to it.
I cringe as he puts his hand on the knob. If any of us assistants were to walk in there unannounced, the man in that office would have a fit.
Before David can open the door himself, it flies open. Simon stares at his father with a blank expression.
“Back to work?” the older Mulroney asks.
“I was just picking something up,” Simon responds, his voice holding no emotion. “What are you doing here?”
David stands up straighter, his chest puffing out. “Went down to see how Miles is doing.”
“Ah.” Simon’s eyes flick over his father’s shoulder and catch mine. We stare at each other for a millisecond before he looks back at the man in front of him.
“Sydney went with me,” David booms, his voice even louder than before. “I don’t know where your other assistants are, though. Sorry you can’t keep track of them.”
I cringe at the harshness of his words. I know better than anyone what an ass my boss can be, but is he really deserving of such a condescending attitude from his own father?
Simon’s jaw ticks. “They’re taking lunch.”
“Are you coming this weekend?” David asks.
“Is that what you stopped by to ask me?” The response is a half snarl, and I want to tell Simon to can it. We all have problems with our parents, but where does he get off acting so disrespectful? This is like a bad soap opera playing in front of me.
“It’s noon,” David says, ignoring the comment. “Your brother would like to see you.”
“Somehow I don’t believe that.”
“Believe it or don’t. It’s true.”
Simon doesn’t answer. His jaw just ticks as he stares at his father.
I shift uncomfortably and look over my shoulder at the hall, checking just in case someone is on their way to save me. Being privy to a family spat is not something I penciled in for my day.
“Sydney,” the elder man says and I whip my head back around.
I straighten up to my full height. “Yes?”
“What are you doing this Saturday?”
“Um, probably sleeping in and then writing. It’s kind of what I do every Saturday.”
Simon glances at me again, but this time, his eyes rest on me for a few seconds longer. Something I just said seems to have caught his interest.
“What are you writing?” David asks, turning toward me, looking authentically curious.
“Just… uh, a screenplay.” I mutter the last part, embarrassed to admit my efforts at taking a stab at film after being on one of the biggest sets in the world not ten minutes ago.
“We’re having a party at my house in Beverly Hills,” David says. “It’s a barbecue. You should come.”
I’m not sure how to respond. Perhaps I shouldn’t have let him know my weekend is free as a bird. I can’t look at Simon again, but I can pretty much guess how he’s feeling. It’s his family barbecue, after all. After last weekend, I’m not stupid enough to think he wants me crashing it.
“Thanks,” I say, avoiding giving a definitive answer. “That’s very nice of you. I’ll try to make it.”
Unless I have to wash my hair.
“I’ll have my assistant send you the address. Oh, and don’t bring a date. Simon’s cousin from New York is visiting for the week, and he’s just your age.” He winks at me, then I see Simon’s face. Stone cold. It’s a surprise the man isn’t dripping water right in front of our eyes.
“Thanks,” I repeat. “Sounds fun.”
David nods and leaves without looking at Simon.
The silence echoes in the room. I walk over to the desk and sit down, making a show of opening my laptop. Simon stands planted in the doorway, staring at me.
Finally, it’s too much.
“I won’t go if you don’t want me to,” I say. “Your dad is nice, but it’s no big deal. I’ll just say something came up.”
The instant I make the promise, I regret it. I just made an amazing connection with the senior Mulroney, and if I hope to snag a good job once I’ve left this office, I’ll need his help. I certainly don’t have anyone else on this lot rooting for me — other than Dana — and she’s only about a half inch above me on the totem pole.