Mike finally dropped that calm, confident smile he had been wearing. He lowered himself slightly, meeting my eyes directly. "No. My father believes you're the hardest person to negotiate with. That's exactly why he sent me."
"Really?"
"Because at least you'll hear me out." His ears turned faintly red, but his expression remained honest. "I had to ask several times before my father agreed to let me represent the O'Hara family at tonight's banquet. He thinks I won't be able to say anything meaningful in front of you. I told him he might be wrong. Ainsley is someone who respects reason."
His words caught me off guard and made me laugh.
"Mike, you're more clever than your father," I said. "But you made one mistake."
"What is it?"
"You shouldn't have revealed during our first meeting that
