Acropolis Now by Katie MacAlister

Author:Katie MacAlister
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Katie MacAlister
Published: 2022-04-05T00:00:00+00:00

TEN

“Darling, I don’t know why you insist on hiding. People want to see you. You’re the head of the company. It’s important for you to be seen to be in control. You should be here with us.”

The voice echoed throughout the bathroom. Neo adjusted the volume of the Bluetooth speaker before rubbing a towel over his head and eyeing himself in the steamy mirror. “Good morning to you, too, Mother.” He tried to see himself through Beam’s eyes. It was true that all the time in Peru had kept him relatively fit, but he didn’t see the sort of definition in his chest and arms that Chase had. Maybe he should take up a weight-lifting regime. Something to give him a bit more of an impressive physique.

“Your yacht is, of course, very nice, and speaking of that, Lancelot and I would like to take it to Italy next month, with a few friends for a little cruise. You’ll have to hire a crew, but I’m sure the people you had when we took our anniversary cruise around the Mediterranean last year would be perfect. Also, do rent some of those Jet Skis. You know how Lancelot loves those.”

He looked at the few strands of gray that were starting to show up at his temples. Definitely he would start lifting weights.

“Now, about dinner tonight—we’re having a small party to welcome you back. Just an intimate gathering, friends who will be happy to see you again and, of course, a few ladies who are dying to meet such an eligible bachelor. Number two, did you see? You remained at that spot for the latest list, although everyone else fell down a spot. Except for that Italian actor, but he doesn’t count.”

He rubbed his chest, where his heart beat away like nothing had happened to it. And yet, for the first time in twenty-four years, he felt like a person, a living, breathing man who had a purpose in life. He felt like a man who had a woman.

The trick was to get Beam to come to that same conclusion.

“It’ll be quite informal, so no need to go to the length of black tie, although a nice suit is always appropriate.”

His mother’s voice, emerging from the speaker attached to the wall, suddenly filtered through his thoughts. “What is informal?”

“Neo! Weren’t you listening? Your welcome-home party, of course. It’ll start at seven, so be sure to be here a little early. I’ll want you to greet your guests rather than leaving it to me to do.”

“I can’t come to your party tonight,” he answered, fully aware that any event his mother arranged was for her own purposes, rather than his. “I have a prior engagement.”

“Then you must cancel. This is important,” Camilla said, a note of steel entering her voice.

Bulldozing to commence in three, two, one ... he thought. “Much as I appreciate you feeling like I need a party to see your friends, I have made other plans, and no, I won’t cancel. I’m sure your party will be a great success without me.

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