Sam nods.
“She’s her own person - strong and opinionated without being prideful or obnoxious. She speaks her mind, and she’s sure as hell not worried about what you might think about it.”
He grins.
“Honestly, you’d probably get along famously with her, Sam.” I say quietly. “She’s hilarious, she’s kind, she has Emily wrapped around her damn finger.”
“Just Emily, huh?”
“You really want to go there?”
His eyes narrow for a second, but he nods. “To an extent.”
I look away.
“You like her, don’t you.”
I bring the glass to my lips, taking a big swallow, saying nothing.
“As little opinion as I think I’m probably allowed to have on the matter-”
“Careful,” I snap.
Sam shoots me a look. “Let me finish. What I was going to say is, if I were to have an opinion about her choice in men,” he shrugs and takes a quick sip. “I can think of worse guys for her to be slumming around with.”
I half grin into my glass.
“I’m guessing she didn’t take it too well when you let her know about what you found out.”
“Consider the messenger shot.”
He frowns, looking down. “I’m sorry, Landon. I mean that, truly. You deserve something and someone like this, you know,” he says quietly. “After Sarah, I mean. This whole swinging bachelor look you’ve been trying to pull of for the last six years? Take this how you want, but from a guy who’s been doing it for a whole lot longer, trust me when I say you’re not cut out for it.”
“Thanks? I think?”
“I mean it. You can jump from skirt to skirt all you want, kid, and you’ve put in a good effort over the last couple of years. But it eats at you, and I can see that. This whole not giving a shit thing? The big tough guy ‘one time only’ thing and all these damn rules of yours? They eat at you. Hell, I can see that, Landon.”
I look up and meet his eyes, both of us nodding - both of us knowing he’s right.
“I’d ask if there’s something I could do-”
I bark out a laugh and he makes a face.
“Sorry, but-“
“Nah, I get it.” He nods.
“Look, there’s something else you should know about.”
He glances up. “I might not have been a part of her life, but don’t think for a minute that means I need to know the details, kid,” he says sharply.
I grin. “Don’t worry, a gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.”
“Oh is that what you are?”
“Something like that.”
He grins, and I frown.
“Look, Sam, the board-”
“Oh, right.” He slaps the counter. “That was the other reason I came over here.” He taps the side of his head. “Damn meds got me all loopy.”
“I’m sorry about the shares.”
That’s another thing that’s happened this week. Even with Sam waking up, since a buy offer was already formally introduced while Serena and I were holding his vote shares, corporate bylines keep him from having a say, whether Don or the board want him to or not.
Judging from the fact that they’re all still eagerly perusing the sale, I’d say that’s a “not.”
“I think they found a buyer.”
“So block ‘em.”
I sigh. “You know I can’t do that. Not enough of a vote. And even if Serena was returning my calls - and trust me, she’s not - it wouldn’t be enough.”
Sam frowns.
“Serena and I only hold twenty-four and a half percent each, Sam. A combined forty-nine percent against the board’s unanimous majority. Game over.” I shake my head and finish my drink.
There’s a second of silence before Sam starts to chuckle. I glance up at him, my eyes narrowing. “I’m not sure I understand what’s so funny.”
He chuckles louder, shaking his head. “Once a lunkheaded player, always a lunkheaded player, huh?”
I glare at him.
“Math, you dumb jock. Damn, I thought I did okay putting you in charge of my board.”
“If there’s a point to this, Sam, please get to it.”
“You’re forgetting your board seat.”
It’s like a light going on - a sudden, jarring realization as it all clicks into place.
Sam nods. “Yeah, you’re getting it. Your board seat itself-”
“Is a five percent voting share,” I say quietly, my jaw dropping.
“Your twenty-four and a half percent share from me, plus Serena’s, plus that five percent?”
“Is a majority vote,” I finish.
He nods.
Holy shit.
“I think you need to get that girl on the phone, Landon.”