Setting up the meeting went almost exactly like Hakim thought it would. Patricia said no and so he threatened to go to the tabloids with the story of how he had bought Lauren at an auction and had her cleaning his house and running errands. He hated himself as he stressed the degradation Lauren must have felt and how awful it would be for her to see that in the papers, but he knew it was the only surefire way to get her in a room.

Patricia agreed, as long as he would come to her, and so Hakim found himself pacing outside the offices of Sanders & Company five minutes before the agreed-upon meeting time. He’d seen Lauren walk in a few minutes before and was giving her time to get upstairs first.

Right on time, he appeared at the reception desk and allowed Patricia’s secretary to show him into her office. Patricia sat behind her desk, Lauren on the other side with her back to the door. Hakim could see the look of relief on her face as he sat down next to her.

Patricia’s expression was not a welcoming one, and Hakim decided that small talk was not the way to open the negotiation. Instead he took the large folder he was carrying right up to her desk and threw it down where it made a satisfyingly loud smack as it landed.

“I’m tired of this feud, Patricia. It’s stupid and immature. For my role in it, I apologize. I’m not proud of who I’ve been the last few years and I’m truly sorry for antagonizing you.”

Patricia was staring at the folder, almost like she thought it might blow up in her face, but she looked up sharply when Hakim apologized.

He nodded. “Lauren means the world to me. What I did at the auction was ill-conceived and cruel, and I’ve apologized to her for that. She’s accepted my apology. I would never hurt her, no matter what. I am in love with your daughter. She is everything to me. I chose her over my business every single time.”

Hakim pointed at the folder on the desk. “If you don’t believe me, maybe that will convince you.”

As Patricia opened the folder, Hakim put his hand on Lauren’s shoulder. She reached up and covered his hand with hers, a silent gesture of support. Patricia’s expression changed as she read through the folder, shock followed by bewilderment.

When Patricia looked up again, Hakim added, “Take them all.”

“Are you bargaining with me? Your clients for my daughter? In spite of what you clearly think, she’s not something to be bought or traded for.”

Hakim started to reply with a vehement denial, but Lauren squeezed his hand and spoke instead.

“You two are so alike.”

Both Hakim and Patricia looked at Lauren, startled.

“You both show how much you care by stating it in business terms. Mother, I know you care because you raised me to be strong, independent, and smart. You trained me to run my own company and my own life, just like you did. You can’t be upset that I’ve followed in your footsteps.

“Hakim is showing how much he values me by being willing to give up what you think he wants most—those clients. He’s willing to give up being first in order to be with me.”

Patricia sniffed. “He is not first.”

Even Hakim could hear that she was weakening at Lauren’s words. Lauren squeezed his hand again and continued.

“Neither of you is going to be first if you keep this rivalry up. It might be working for you now, but eventually you’re going to get so wrapped up in it that you’ll lose sight of everything that makes you both great leaders. I know you both care about me; that gives you even more in common.

“I love Hakim, Mother. And we’re not letting each other go.”

Hakim felt a thrill of surprise at her words. He tapped Lauren’s shoulder and she looked up at him.

“You love me?”

She grinned. “You mean you haven’t figured that out yet? Of course, I do. It shouldn’t be a surprise—you love me, after all.”

Hakim scratched his chin. “To be honest, I was kind of hoping we could exchange our first I love yous in a more romantic setting.”

Lauren raised her eyebrows. “What did you have in mind?”

“I don’t know. The dog park. The theme park. The garden, which is kind of like a park. We seem to have a thing for parks. Want to do this again, in a park somewhere?”

Her answering grin made him feel like whatever happened in that office, everything would wind up being okay.

“You bet. Pick a park and I’m there.”

They both turned their heads when Patricia cleared her throat. Hakim was heartened to see that her expression was softer and more thoughtful as she watched them. Lauren saw it, too.

“Mother, I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want to lose either of you. I think if you’d just give Hakim a chance, you’d see that he is a good man.”

Patricia was silent for a long time and when she spoke, her voice was low and rough.

“I’ve never seen you look at anyone like that.”

“Because I’ve never been in love like this before,” Lauren said.

Patricia nodded. “If Hakim has earned your loyalty and love, then I suppose I should. Give him a chance, that is.”

Hakim sat in front of the desk, leaning forward so Patricia could see his eyes clearly.

“I am sorry, Patricia.”

The older woman nodded. “As am I. I’ve been in this business so long that my default reaction is to fight for what’s mine. I can see how we fed off of each other, where our competition turned into a bloody fight. I don’t like backing down.”

“Neither do I. But I shouldn’t have taken it so far.”

Patricia shook her head. “I’m not sure I left you any alternative. If my daughter can forgive you for that, then so can I. And I apologize for my role in our feud, for what I’ve done and for the assumptions I’ve made.”

Hakim almost couldn’t speak for a moment. “I forgive you. To tell you the truth, I admire you for putting up a good fight. You’re one hell of a competitor.”

Patricia laughed at that. “Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to be friendly competitors, then.”

“Agreed,” Hakim said gladly.

“I feel like we’ve made our way through some sort of Shakespearean scenario here,” Patricia said and looked confused when both Lauren and Hakim laughed.

Lauren waved a hand at her mother. “It’s possible there was an actual balcony scene.”

Patricia tilted her head, looking like she wanted the whole story, but instead she let that go and looked at her daughter. “Lauren, I am so sorry. All I wanted was to protect you and I got carried away. I overreacted and over-reached. I do trust your judgement and your instincts. I should have listened to you. You are my pride and joy, worth more to me than any company.”

Lauren had tears rolling down her face as she moved around the desk. “I love you, Mom.”

The two women embraced for a long time and in that moment, Hakim knew that everything was going to be okay.

When Lauren pulled back she wiped away her tears and smiled. “By the way, Mom, since we’re sharing secrets, I have something else to tell you. Guess what I do in my spare time?”