Nicholas POV:
“I’m actually on my way to a dinner meeting. Did you need something important?”
She ignored my short tone. “It’s nothing major. I was hoping you would be available this weekend to meet for dinner?”
I had a feeling this was another set-up and I just didn’t have the energy at the moment. What I needed was a vacation. “I’m going out of town for a few days, so I’ll have to take a rain check.”
“Oh? Where are you going?”
I narrowed my eyes but chuckled. “Aren’t I a little old to need a signed permission slip?”
“Now, don’t take that tone with me. I was only asking. I love you and I’m worried about you.”
“I’m fine. It’ll be a couple of days on a beach somewhere. I need to unwind.”
“Are you taking anybody special?”
I sighed. “No. Just me.”
She remained silent for a minute. “Okay, I know you’re busy. I won’t keep you any longer. Have fun on your trip, honey.”
“Thanks, mom. I’ll talk to you soon.”
After our goodbyes, I remembered the text I hadn’t answered. I should have asked my mother if she recognized the name. She had a photographic memory for shit like that. I typed back a quick response.
[Ms. Taylor. Do I know you?]
Hopefully, I’d find out who this mystery woman was before we reached the restaurant.
[I wouldn’t say so, but it is imperative that I speak with you.]
If this ended up being a telemarketer, I was going to combust.
[I don’t have time for this. I’m late for a dinner meeting.]
She needed to get to the damn point. And quick. My patience was hanging on by a fucking thread.
[May I call you, then?]
I grown. She wants a call? She’s going to get one. I dialed her number, tapping my fingers on my knee as I waited for her to pick up.
“Hello?”
Hmm. Nice voice. “Hello, Miss Taylor. Can you tell me what this is about?”
“I… uh… I…”
I had to admit I was slightly amused by her fumbling. People were often intimidated by me, but it usually didn’t happen over the phone. There was also a warning part of my brain that wanted to make her comfortable. Something about her voice was soothing and made me want to calm her down in return.
I shook my head. The stress of the day was clearly messing with my sanity.
There was a loud noise and a crash in the background, and I sat up straight, immediately alarmed that something bad had happened to her. “Hello? Are you alright, Miss Taylor?”
“Yeah… um… I’m all right. Sorry. I slipped.”
I breathed out a gust of air, uneasy with the fact my heart was racing. My agitation caused me to snap back a response. I was already going to be late, and the car stopped in front of the restaurant.
“Look, Miss Taylor. I must hang up. Please tell me what this is about without wasting any more time.”
“I am graduating from Atkins High School in a week’s time. I was informed that I was the recipient of your yearly scholarship but later it was retracted on the account of an error. The scholarship has been since awarded to someone else. The retraction came after I had accepted a spot at QCU and I have already spent all my savings for room and board. I was dependent on the scholarship to attend college and I believe I deserve it. Mr. Rowe, I want you to fund my education as well.”
My mouth gaped. I couldn’t have been more surprised if I’d seen John get out and start dancing the cha-cha naked in the middle of the street.
“You want me to fund your education?”
“Yes. I shouldn’t have to suffer because of your employee’s mistake.”
Okay, yes. I was actually capable of being more surprised. This girl had some nerve. Nobody-and I mean nobody-talked to me like this. I was close to hanging up when she started speaking again.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. But I am in desperate need of that scholarship. It is my last hope of making something of myself, Mr. Rowe.”
My anger was mollified by her apologetic tone. As I thought over her words further, I had to admit that I admired the way she was fighting her little battle. She went straight to the top and took no prisoners.
Kind of like me.
And fuck if her telling me off didn’t turn me on a little.
I adjusted in my seat, disgusted that I was having these thoughts about some girl who was probably a minor. I couldn’t help it. She had the sultry, low, slightly husky voice of a sex operator.
Not that I’d know what they sounded like.
Fuck.
I really needed to get laid.
I rubbed my hand down my face, thinking about her request. I’d put Julia in charge of prioritizing and organizing the scholarship documents, while Geoffrey had read through the submissions for me since I’d been overseas for a couple of weeks. I could have easily just told this girl I’d grant her request to be funded, but I wanted to look more into this mistake.
“Hello?” Her timid voice brought my attention back to the conversation.
“I will look into this so-called scholarship miscommunication. I will contact you myself when I have determined the steps going forward. Please wait until then.”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Rowe. You have no idea how much this means to me. I’ve sent you several emails with all my information previously.”
Meaning she’d sent Julia several emails.
“As I said, I will look into it.” Once I knew what had happened, I’d probably help her out regardless. I liked her balls, although I was really curious how she’d gotten this number. “I just have one last question for you. How did you get my personal number, Miss Taylor?”
“I prefer to be called Willow.”
Willow. Of course.
I exhaled and adjusted myself again. “Fine. Willow, how did you get this number?”