“He should’ve gone into the milk shake business,” Connor muttered.
“Yeah, maybe,” Jake said. “But look, he’s not about to change, so let’s play the game his way and get the old man firmly on our side. I want this deal to go through.”
Connor’s eyes narrowed in reflection. “Believe me, I want that, too.” Wellstone Corporation was a perfect fit for MacLaren, he mused. Jonas Wellstone had started his brewery fifty years ago, decades before the MacLarens came along. He had been at the front of the line when lucrative markets in Asia and Micronesia first began to open up. Yes, the MacLarens had done incredibly well for themselves, but they had to admit they were still playing catch-up to the older, more established companies. Last year, the brothers had set a goal of acquiring a strong foothold in those emerging territories. And here they were, less than a year later, being presented with the opportunity to purchase Wellstone.
So if all it took to attain their objective were some spiffy new clothes, the decision was an easy one. Connor would go shopping this afternoon.
“Okay, you guys win.” He held up his hands in mock surrender. “I’ll buy a damn suit.”
“I’ll go with you,” Jake said, adjusting the cuffs on his tailor-made shirt. “I don’t trust your taste.”
The hand gesture Connor flipped his brother was crude but to the point. “This is the reason I hate coming into the big city. I get nothing but grief from you two wheeler-dealers.”
Ian stood to leave. “Spare us the country bumpkin act. You’re more of a cutthroat than we are.”
Connor laughed and stretched his legs out. “My rustic charm conceals my rapier-sharp business skills.”
Ian snorted. “Good one.”
Jake ignored them both as he checked his wristwatch. “I’ll have Lucinda clear my schedule for this afternoon.”
“Fine,” Connor said. “Let’s get this over with.”
Jake nodded. “I’ll swing by here around three and we’ll head over to union Square. We’ve only got a week to buy you a suit and get it tailored. You’ll need shoes, too. And a couple of dress shirts.”
“Cuff links, too,” Ian added. “And a new belt. And a haircut. You look like one of Angus Campbell’s goats.”
“Get outta here,” Connor said, fed up with the whole conversation. But as his brothers headed for the door, Connor suddenly remembered something. “Wait. What was that you said about needing a woman?”
Ian turned back around but didn’t make eye contact. “You need to bring a date to dinner. Jonas likes to see his partners in happy relationships.”
“And you didn’t tell him that’s a deal breaker?”
Ian scowled and walked out as Jake and Connor exchanged glances.
“Just find a date,” Jake said finally. “And don’t piss her off.”
Definitely a deal breaker, Connor thought.
* * *
Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.
There should’ve been a sign announcing that sentiment, Maggie Jameson thought as she stared at the massive double doors that led to the offices of MacLaren International Corporation. But Maggie wasn’t about to give up hope. She was on a mission, so rather than whimper and crawl away, she summoned every last bit of courage she could muster and pushed through the doors to announce herself to the pleasant, well-dressed receptionist named Susan at the front desk.