Chapter 2 #2
“Mmhmm,” I say, without formally committing to that idea because I know based on my current work schedule, that will be hard.
In fact, part of the reason the idea appeals to me is that if I go as Mia’s date, I can pretend we’re spending quality time together while I’m actually working.
I’m in the middle of a 2.8 billion-dollar deal that could elevate me to the next level of my career.
If I secure this deal, I will make equity partner at the hedge fund.
I will be the youngest financial analyst at the firm to have secured multiple billion-dollar deals.
I will be able to write my own ticket. I will show my parents and Rex that I was able to make it without having to use the Haverbrook name.
“Luke, is that a yes?”
“Let’s see,” I answer and try not to laugh as she groans and shakes her head.
Mia, for all her wonderful qualities, doesn’t have the same head for business as I do.
She’s more about laughing, enjoying life, and having fun, and I’m more about studying the stock market and international trade.
On the surface, our friendship shouldn’t work, but beneath the surface, it is the most prized possession that I have.
“Anyway, I’m going to go back to work. Call me later tonight or tomorrow and let me know what you decide.”
“Okay, Luke.” She nods and smiles at me in that familiar way that reminds me of home—walks on Coconut Bay Beach, hikes to Hidden Cove, swimming in the waterfall, grabbing a bite at Iggy’s Grill, taking ice cream cones and biking to the lighthouse, listening to Mia sing as we swim in the ocean, hoping to call the dolphins to her as she pretends to be a mermaid.
“I’ll call you later,” she says and hangs up.
I walk over to my floor-to-ceiling windows and stare out at the glittering city in front of me.
I love living here in New York. I love the hustle and bustle, the bright lights, the tall buildings, the millions of people from all over the world walking the streets and going about their business.
Living here makes me feel like I’m a part of something big.
Like I’m important. Especially from my view in this office.
Which is picture-perfect. My life here is fantastic.
And yet there’s still a part of me that misses that small island desperately.
I shake my head to clear it. I hate feeling nostalgic about a past that I want to remain in the past. I’ll go back to Coconut Beach for the wedding.
Then I’ll be on the first plane back to the city, and I will never look back.
I love my friends and my family back home, but I am always the second-best Haverbrook in my hometown.
Here, I am somebody making a name for himself, not having to stay in the shadows. The only thing missing is Mia.
And I don’t know if I’ll ever get over that fact.
I’m about to start working again when my phone rings, and I see that it’s my nana, Bitsy Haverbrook. I answer on the first ring.
“Hi, Nana. How are you?”
“Lucas Haverbrook, why haven’t I heard from you in over two weeks?” She sounds annoyed, but I know she’s just teasing me. My grandma is one of the busiest women I know.
“Sorry, I’ve been busy with work and making millions. You know how it is.”
“All work and no play makes Luke a dull boy, dear.”
“I thought it was Jack?” I tease her affectionately.
I love my nana and have always known that I was her favorite. Though I’ve never been quite sure if it is because of me or because she wants to make up for the fact that my parents quite obviously adore Rex more than me.
He has always been the golden boy. Handsome, sporty, charming, a kiss-ass.
Whereas I’ve been more thoughtful, studious, introverted.
It is one of the reasons why my friendship with Mia has worked so well.
She brought me out of my shell. Showed me that there was more to life than studying.
And even though I am now very different to the young boy I was, he still exists somewhere inside of me. Life just looks different for me now.
Back in middle school and even high school, girls never paid attention to nerdy Luke Haverbrook.
Everyone was about Rex, the jock, but now I am muscular and look the part of a leading man.
Women gush over me when they see me out.
I get compliments on my blue eyes, my silky hair, my bulging biceps.
I am the package that women want now, but it doesn’t take away from the insecurities I grew up with, being tall, skinny, and full of acne.
Though that didn’t matter to Mia and our friendship.
She always validated me, always made me feel seen.
“Now, now, Luke. Did you hear that Rex is getting married?”
“I did. In fact, I received his invitation today.”
“Ooh, really?” She pauses. “That’s nice. The invitations were so classy, weren’t they?”
“I suppose so. I don’t know much about invitations. Just like I don’t know much about his fiancée, Andi. How long have they even been dating? Mom and Dad haven’t mentioned her before, and she wasn’t in the annual Christmas newsletter that Mom sent out either.”
“Well, I can’t say that Lucille or I know much about her, dear.
I know she works at the mayor’s office as a receptionist. I suppose I could ask Mayor Sharkey Smith what he thinks about her, but if she and Rex are in love, then what can I say?
” She pauses again, as if she’s waiting on me to tell her what to say, but I know better than that.
Bitsy Haverbrook needs no help in any of her conversations.
“I was just calling to see if you’d gotten the invitation and if you were going to partake in all the festivities. ”
“Two weeks is a long time for me to be away from work. I’ve never even heard of expecting people to spend two weeks together to celebrate a wedding.”
“Well, it’s also a way for us all to get together with family and friends,” she says softly. “It was actually my suggestion to Rex that it be that long so that everyone can celebrate. Not every guest will be there for two weeks. Just family.”
“But Mia got invited for the festivities as well.”
“She is family, Luke. She’s your best friend, and she’s Lucille’s granddaughter. And you know Lucille and I have been best friends for decades, since before I met your grandfather. She and I are thick as thieves. She’s like my sister.”
“I know, Nana.” I laugh. “No need to remind me. I just think it’s late notice for such a celebration when so many of us are busy.”
“You will come though?” Her voice is hesitant. “You don’t want Rex to think that you’re upset that he has someone and you don’t.”
“Who says I have no one?” I don’t know why I say that. Maybe it’s because I don’t want my nana to feel bad for me as well. Maybe it’s because I want to force Mia’s hand.
“You’re dating?” She sounds shocked. “Who? Does Mia know?”
“Nana, I can’t talk about this right now, but …” I chew on my lower lip. I don’t want to say too much because what if Mia doesn’t agree to the plan?
My stomach churns at the thought. What if she doesn’t agree to the plan? A part of me is nervous that she will say no, though I know that is a stupid feeling. I literally have nothing to lose either way.
“You have a girlfriend, and you haven’t told me.” She sniffles, and then I hear her whispering to someone. “I don’t know,” she mumbles, and I frown.
“Who are you with, Nana?”
“Lucille and I were just going to bingo. She was curious if you’d gotten the invitation.
We know that Mia got hers and was a little upset about a note.
” She sounds dazed. “Not sure what it said exactly, but supposedly, Rex was a little rude, and we just wondered if you’d perhaps received something similar. ”
“Yeah, maybe.” Something seems off, but I don’t question her. “Mia and I were just on the phone actually.”
“Oh, really? One sec.” There’s an odd noise on the phone and then I hear her talking as if in the distance.
“Mia and Luke were just on the phone.” She is obviously talking to Lucille again.
“Well, I didn’t want to disturb you, darling.
Give me a call this weekend, and we can catch up.
Granddad and I were talking about flying out to see you next month, if you don’t happen to make it to the wedding. ”
“I’ll be there, Nana.”
“Oh, great, great. I can’t wait to hold you and hug you. Oh, I’m so excited you’ll be back home.” She sounds delighted, and I feel guilty for having not returned home for so long. “We will all be super excited to see you and to hear about your girlfriend, of course.”
“Who knows? You might even get to meet her.” I am not sure why I add those words. I must be out of my mind. “I’ll send you my trip details soon. Give Lucille a kiss and a hug from me. Love you, Nana. I’ll call you soon.”
I hang up and stand there, wondering what the hell I just did. I must be out of my mind. Why am I going so hard with this narrative?
I don’t have time to ponder my thoughts though because my phone pings with a text from Mia.
Mia
Spoke to Juniper, Josie, and Wendy about your idea. And they think it is ingenious. So, I’m in. But we need to set some ground rules.
Luke
Sounds like a plan to me, girlfriend.
Mia
Don’t be goofy, boyfriend. I’ll call you tonight to plan, if I’m not too sloshed.
Luke
Great. I can’t wait to see Rex’s face when he realizes we’re together.
Mia
He’s going to feel like a fool.
Luke
I know. This is going to be perfect. Have fun tonight and stay safe.
I drop the phone onto my desk and take a seat. There’s a huge grin on my face, and for the first time in a long time, I feel excited about heading back to Coconut Beach and seeing my old friends and all the new friends that Mia has told me about.
I’ll still have to do a shit-ton of work while I am there, but Mia will understand.
She can cover for me when I need to be in meetings or on calls.
That is what is so great about this arrangement.
She isn’t my real girlfriend, so she won’t expect me to be with her one hundred percent of the time.
I’ll just have to show up to key events, and that will be enough.
I will be able to close this deal and show up for the wedding.
It will be perfect. And it will wipe that cocky smile off of my brother’s face.
He’s always thought he’s better than me. He’s always known my secret. Well, this time, I’ll show him. I’ll finally come out on top.