Bad Reputation by Stefanie London

Author:Stefanie London [London, Stefanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 2018-06-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

“Wes and I stopped dating shortly after I found out who he was related to. My decision, not his. I’ve got one intimidating stage mother already. I don’t want a second.”

—FutureTonyWinner

Wes saw Remi talking to his mother out of the corner of his eye. Instinct told him to head over and ensure that she wasn’t messing with Remi’s head. But the man standing across from him was nibbling at the bait.

“I understand you already had another investor lined up,” Bert Soole said. The older man was a longtime investor in the arts—word had it he supported everything from ballet to Broadway to funding a scholarship for young classical musicians. “I take it that hasn’t worked out.”

“Unfortunately not.” Wes brought the glass of scotch to his lips and sipped, stalling. How much had Bert heard? He didn’t want to get caught in a lie, but he didn’t want to volunteer any detrimental information, either.

“And why might that be?”

“Creative differences,” Wes replied. “This show pushes the boundaries and so do I. It won’t be to everybody’s taste.”

“Sounds like a risky investment.” Bert smiled. Wes would have put him in his late sixties or possibly early seventies, with a full head of snow-white hair and sharp gray eyes. The kind of eyes that said no detail was too small. “I tend to like those. What’s the point of living if you only ever play it safe?”

“That’s how I approach my work,” Wes said, internally sighing with relief.

“Can I ask why you haven’t approached your family to invest? I understand that your mother and father have nothing to do with this piece of work—at least that’s what she tells me.”

Of course that’s what she’d said. “Would it be redundant to say ‘creative differences’ again?”

Bert chuckled. “You’re a man who knows what you want.”

“I do. I’m also willing to fund the entire thing myself if that’s what it takes. But I’d prefer not to sell everything I own.” It was a gamble to put it out there so bluntly, but something told him that Bert would respect the drive.

Would his ability to read people pay off now?

Bert eyed him for a moment, his silvery brows knitting above a round nose. “If you’re willing to put everything on the line for this show, then it tells me you have the commitment level I look for when I sign my money away.”

Wes nodded all the while fighting the urge to fist pump. “How about I introduce you to our lead ballerina? I’m sure she’d be thrilled to hear from the person who’s going to help bring this show to New York.”

“Well, due diligence needs to be done. My lawyers will need to weigh in.” He winked. “But please, I’d love to meet her.”

As they walked over to Remi, Bert talked about his son, who’d studied in the Juilliard music program and had passed away at twenty-three from a rare form of leukemia. Bert and his wife hadn’t been able to conceive any more children, so they’d funneled their considerable wealth into giving other kids the chance their son never had.

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