Chapter 22 Done Deal
DONE DEAL
DECLAN
I stepped out onto the open air deck of the ski lodge at the top of the mountain. I swirled my glass of whiskey before taking a sip, basking in the sunshine and peaceful mountain air.
Claire was at the spa for the day so I decided to come hit the slopes alone. It was a much needed break from the whirlwind that had been Claire and I.
I had to practically force Claire to have some time today to pamper herself. I booked her a day of massages and facials to really enjoy everything that this resort had to offer.
Claire was such a stark opposite to the women I usually brought on this trip. They expected the luxuries. They loved the spa days and fancy dinners. Claire was different. She wanted to participate in the scavenger hunt and caroling. She wanted to talk to my peers and spend time with me.
In fact, the idea of my money made Claire visibly uncomfortable.
I wasn’t sure how Claire grew up. I knew Drufton Hills was a wealthier neighborhood in the Austin suburbs, but she also seemed like someone who was sensible about money.
She didn’t wear designer clothes. She drove an economy car.
Every dinner we’ve eaten out, she picked the cheapest item on the menu.
When she accidentally bought a necklace that was worth more than a year of her car payments, she looked like she was going to offer her head on a spike.
It made me want to pamper her. She deserved a day of relaxation, even if she was going to fight me every step of the way.
She didn’t know it, but later tonight when she got home I was going to have dinner waiting for her. I might even suggest a cheesy holiday rom-com, just because she liked them.
This was the first Christmas season that I didn’t feel like throwing up every time the day was mentioned. She made Christmas fun again.
Someone sidled up next to me as I was looking out over the sun-kissed mountains. Grateful he couldn’t see my eyes widen under my sunglasses, I took in Paul Driscoff.
“Sir, hello,” I said, offering a hand for him to shake.
“Hi, Dex. I saw you standing here alone. Hope it’s not a bother to be joined by an old man.”
I chuckled. “No bother at all. I could use the company.”
“No Claire today?”
I shook my head. “I forced her to go to the spa.”
That made him laugh. “She’s a good one.”
“I know,” I agreed easily.
I was starting to figure out that Claire was like a rainbow after a storm. Unexpected and subtly beautiful. She could lift moods but wasn’t obnoxious.
She was very rapidly becoming the thing that I didn’t know was missing from my life.
“How is she going to handle the move when you go to Denver?” He arched a brow at me.
I leaned my elbows on the railing in front of me. “I’m not sure, honestly. She’s new in her career and deserves to make something on her own if she wants to. If that means she stays in Austin a few years before relocating, then that’s what it means. I won’t stop her.”
To anyone else, it sounded like I was making an excuse as to why my fiancé wouldn't interfere with my eligibility for this promotion.
The truth was, I was trying to convince myself that there was any hope of making us work outside of Switzerland when our lives were taking us to two different cities.
Claire and I hadn’t talked about it, but I wasn’t sure I wanted this to be a Switzerland only arrangement. Part of me wanted to see if she felt the way I did––see if we could be something when we get back stateside.
It was a risk, and complicated, but she was worth it.
“Wait,” I stood up straighter, “when?”
Paul barked out a laugh. “Took you a minute to catch up there.”
I shook my head and took a sip of my whiskey. “What are you saying, Paul?”
“On the record? Nothing. Off the record, though, I’m endorsing you for the national VP role in Denver.”
I blinked in surprise. I was not expecting this today. Over the last few weeks, I had intended on speaking with Paul more, but the time was getting away from me. I found myself just enjoying the trip for once, just as Claire had suggested I do when this all started.
I guess she was right.
“I’m honored.” I was unsure what else to say. This was what I wanted. This was the goal of Claire and I’s entire arrangement, but I wasn’t as excited about it as I thought I would be. I turned to Paul. “What made you choose me?”
He let out a relaxed breath. “I know you and Tom were both gunning for this promotion. If I was being honest, I always preferred you, but I wasn’t sure you had the right priorities.
Seeing you on this trip, there has been a change in you.
I’ve known you for a long time, Dex. You’re different with Claire.
A different that is very valuable to you and this company. ”
He clapped me on the shoulder.
“She’s made a big impact on my life,” I said truthfully.
“I can tell.” His smile was warm as he started to back away. “We’re taking a vote before Christmas. You’ll hear from me.”
I nodded as I watched him retreat.
I wondered if Tom and Sarah knew about Paul’s decision yet.
I assumed that this competitive tension was the reason Sarah had a target on Claire’s back.
Every single time we’d been around them, Sarah made comments to further insert a wedge between Claire and I, as if to prove the point that we were different.
What Sarah didn’t understand was that I liked that Claire wasn’t the same as us. She was witty, and unafraid to be herself. She had nervous ticks that I liked to soothe. She was hot as hell, and not afraid to clap back at anyone.
Her energy made me feel more alive than I had in years.
And that was all going to go away the moment I got this promotion.
There would be no more Claire and I. There would be no more late night movies or deep talks over a bottle of wine. No more silly snacks, or corny jokes. I would leave for my new life, and leave my old one behind.
Austin was always supposed to be a stepping stone in my career, so why did I now have thoughts about wanting to stay?