Serenity (Inevitable #5)(11)

Ian arched a brow in surprise. "I happen to know you cracked the top forty names on the latest Fortune 400 list, and even half of that sort of net worth seems like more money than one person could spend in ten lifetimes. What else could Lindsey possibly want?"

"You haven't seen the way she can spend money," declared Matthew. "I'm guessing she'd probably prefer to receive monthly payments over the course of her life. Getting a lump sum like that would be too much temptation, and God knows she has no concept of how to manage money. There's a real possibility that she could blow through that much in a decade or two. And if she took a lump sum she wouldn't be able to squeeze any more from me if she spent it all. But the money is only part of it. Lindsey also loves all the attention she gets as my wife - attending the social events, meeting important people, getting her picture in the newspaper and magazines. All of the stuff I despise the most about this job. She must hate the idea of giving all that up."

"She has no idea that you've thought about selling the company, then?"

Matthew shook his head. "You're the only person I've ever discussed that with, Ian. And as tempting as the idea is most days, it's complicated, as I'm sure you can imagine."

Ian nodded. "Of course. You have a great many people depending on you, Matthew - employees, a board of directors, investors, shareholders, the public. Not to mention your family. But also a tremendous amount of responsibility and stress. I can certainly understand the temptation to just say to hell with it all."

Matthew blew out a breath, as though he had a huge weight resting on his chest. "You have no idea how close I come to doing just that almost every day of the week," he admitted. "But then I think about all the people counting on me, like you said, and I realize I can't just walk away. I am definitely a victim of my own success, aren't I?"

"There's a solution to everything, you know," reminded Ian gently. "It may not be quick or simple, but if you're that miserable I'm sure you'll find a way out of it somehow."

Matthew gave a short, ironic laugh. "Hell of a time to get serious about it, though, considering the fact that I'm in the process of getting a divorce and living apart from my kids. At least working so many hours helps keeps me busy. Going home alone to the condo every night isn't exactly something I look forward to."

"I know that feeling all too well. Before I had Tessa in my life I used to joke to my family that I was married to my job," admitted Ian. "But ever since she and I have been together I've been gradually spending less time at the office, learning to delegate more, and not worry so much about constantly being in control."

Matthew grinned. "Well, if I had a wife like Tessa waiting at home for me I'd find every excuse in the book to leave work early. Or take a very long vacation."

Ian's hazel eyes twinkled. "My thoughts exactly. In fact, after our lunch I'm going to surprise my new bride by arriving home very early today."

"You smug bastard," chided Matthew with a chuckle. "It's not very considerate of you to rub salt into the wound, you know. I mean, it's bad enough that I'm divorcing my wife after getting fed up with her constant cheating. But to know that you're going home to your really hot bride after this and have afternoon sex is bordering on cruelty, Ian. Do you have any idea when the last time I had spontaneous sex with Lindsey was? Jesus, come to think of it, I'm not sure I can remember the last time I had any sort of sex with her."



       
         
       
        

"I apologize," Ian told him, though he couldn't hide the admittedly smug expression on his face, and his tone of voice didn't sound in the least contrite. "Perhaps you should, ah, remedy that situation sooner than later. Though not, of course, with Lindsey, considering the circumstances."

Matthew shuddered. "You got that right. Even though she had her tubes tied after Casey was born, I started using condoms once I suspected she was sleeping around. No way was I taking a chance at catching some STD from one of her bed partners. As far as scratching that particular inch with someone else - well, I confess to being way, way out of practice in that regard. Lindsey was really the only serious girlfriend I ever had. I'm not sure I'd even know how to begin to go about - uh, remedying the situation."

Ian withdrew his wallet from his jacket pocket and extracted a credit card. The two friends took turns treating the other to lunch when they met once a month. "I'm happy to ask Tessa if she could introduce you to someone," he offered. "She's made several friends at her yoga studio and at college."