The_Color_of_Love_-_Radclyffe (Рэдклифф) - страница 54

“Any word on HW?” Aud’s shoulder-length blond hair framed her face in loose layers, and her clear green eyes regarded Derian with questions. For an instant, she looked like the tender, supportive confidant she’d once been.

“I haven’t heard anything from the hospital, so I hope that’s a good sign.” Derian’s chest tightened and she pulled herself out of the past. She and Aud were strangers now, their bond one of shared memories, memories of different times, when they’d been different people. “I’m going to run by there when we’re done.”

“Have you talked to Martin?”

“Why would I?”

Aud sighed. “Because he’s your father?”

“Come on, Aud. You know better than that.”

“Life would be a lot easier if the two of you would actually communicate now and then.”

“Easier for who? For you, probably. Definitely not for me.”

“You know he wants you in the business.”

“No, he doesn’t. Not unless I undergo a personality transplant and change my internal wiring at the same time.”

“You are a voting member of the company, and—”

“Right. That’s what matters to him, that we present a solid front. I’m not going down that road. Maybe I got lucky and nature did me a favor.” Derian rubbed the faint headache between her eyes. “You know I’m not cut out for business, even if I was capable.”

“Oh, come on.” Aud sighed in exasperation. “You’re perfectly capable. You’ve got a mind like a calculator and we both know it. So does Martin.”

“Maybe so.” Derian took a bite of the sandwich the waitress slid onto the table in a quick wordless pass. Funny, the old favorite had lost its appeal, like so many things that shone in hindsight and paled in the present. “But the last time I attended a board meeting—”

“Uh, excuse me? When was that—three, four years ago?” Aud speared a section of omelet and shook her head. “The board members might be inclined to take you more seriously if you actually showed up now and then.”

“They made it perfectly clear I would never sit in the big seat.” Derian sipped her rapidly cooling coffee. “I think I heard the words image and irresponsible tossed around quite a lot.”

“You could change that, Dere. All you’d have to do is come home, show some interest.”

“Sure, if I had any interest, which I don’t.”

“God, you’re stubborn.”

“And you’re not?” Derian pushed her plate away. “Have you ever thought you’re starting to sound an awful lot like Martin?”

Aud’s eyes cooled. “I’m your friend, Derian. And I also happen to be looking out for your interests, even if you like to pretend they don’t matter.”

Derian blew out a breath. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”