Chapter 2
Richard changed the subject at the right moment. "Emily, how is the nanocatalysis project coming? Get your data organized once the semester starts. There's a conference in March, and I'm putting your name in as a speaker."
"Yes, Professor Foster," I said, working hard to look like a serious PhD student.
My phone buzzed under the table.
It was Daniel again: [We'll be there at 2 PM.]
I didn't reply.
"By the way," Linda said, "Daniel is bringing his girlfriend today. You knew that, right, Emily?"
I nodded.
Linda glanced at me, then at Michael.
"Michael, you're home today, right?" she asked.
"No, I've got something to do this afternoon," he replied.
"What is it? Cancel it. It's the holidays, so stay home with your parents," Linda said.
"Mom," Michael protested.
"End of discussion," Linda said, not taking no for an answer.
Michael set down his fork and didn't say anything else.
I caught him glancing at me.
He looked away right away.
At 1:50, I stood in the living room with no idea what to do with myself.
Linda told me to change, because she'd left some new clothes in the guest room for me.
It was a light gray cashmere sweater, cut perfectly, and one touch made the price obvious.
"Mrs. Foster, this is way too expensive," I said.
"Put it on." Linda pushed it into my hands. "It'll look good on you."
I put it on.
Looking in the mirror, I actually looked a lot sharper.
At exactly 2 PM, the doorbell rang.
I stood by the living room couch, my back straight as a board.
Linda went to the door.
"Happy New Year, Professor Foster! Happy New Year, Linda!"
Daniel's voice was as warm and polite as it had been for the two years we were together.
He came in wearing a dark blue coat with his hair gelled back, and he looked far more polished than he had in school.
Right behind him was Sophia.
She carried a designer bag, wore a designer coat, and her heels clicked hard on the floor.
She was even prettier than I'd imagined.
Daniel saw me and stopped short. "Emily? You're still at Professor Foster's?"
"Emily comes over every year," Linda said, smiling.
Sophia linked arms with Daniel and gave me a small smile. "You must be Emily, right? Daniel mentions you all the time."
"Is that so?" I replied, keeping my tone neutral.
What did he say about me, exactly? That his ex was too poor to take care of herself?
"Come on, have a seat and let's chat," Linda said, waving them over.
I settled into an armchair, the coffee table separating us.
Sophia glanced at my cashmere sweater and asked lightly, "That's a nice sweater. What brand?"
I had no idea. Linda had picked it out.
"Brunello Cucinelli."
A low voice came from the direction of the stairs.
Michael was coming down.
He had changed into a black turtleneck, and he took the stairs slowly with a cup of coffee in his hand.
The whole living room went silent for a beat.
Sophia's smile faltered for a split second.
Brunello Cucinelli. A single cashmere sweater from that label ran a couple thousand dollars and sometimes more.
"And this is..." Daniel looked Michael over from head to foot.
"This is my son, Michael," Linda said, all smiles. "He got here before Emily did."
She really stressed the word "before."
Michael walked over and dropped into the armchair next to me.
He looked totally relaxed, like it was his usual spot.
He shot Daniel a glance, didn't even acknowledge him, and went right back to his coffee.
"Uh, hi," Daniel said, reaching out his hand.
Michael glanced at his hand.
Then he just nodded.
He didn't shake it.
The tension in the room shot up instantly.
Daniel's hand hovered awkwardly in the air before he sheepishly pulled it back.
Sophia tugged at his sleeve.
Linda acted like she hadn't seen a thing and started pouring coffee.
"So, Daniel, where are you working now?" Linda asked.
"I'm the marketing director at Sophia's father's company," Daniel said, and the pride came through in every word.
"What business is Sophia's family in?" Linda asked.
"Building materials," Sophia said. "My father's company has been running on the East Coast for more than ten years, and last year sales cleared 60 million dollars."
Sixty million dollars.
Those numbers just floated in the air, making everyone pause for a second.
I put my head down and drank my coffee. When Daniel broke up with me, he used a line I still remember. "Emily, you're great, but feelings don't pay the bills."
It wasn't until later that I found out he was already with Sophia when he said that.
"Sixty million dollars," Linda repeated, and nothing in her face moved. "That's nice. A small business, steady and safe."
A small business.
Sophia's smile slipped for a moment.
"Linda, 60 million dollars is a serious number in our industry," Daniel said, sounding defensive.
"Of course, of course," Linda said with a smile, then turned to Michael. "Michael, how much did you put into Emily's project again?"
Michael paused, coffee halfway to his lips.
"Mom," he said, sounding a little annoyed.
"Just making conversation," Linda replied, all innocent.
I had no idea what she meant. What project? What investment?
Michael didn't answer.
But Daniel's expression shifted instantly.
"So, Michael, you work in investments?" Daniel asked.
Michael finally looked at him. "Something like that."
"Which firm?" Daniel pressed.
"My own," Michael replied.
His own.
Daniel froze again.