Chapter 18
18
Nick
This fucking sucks.
It’s my turn to leave, and I don’t want to. How is this fair or right? We just decided to give a cross-country relationship a try and here I am walking out less than ten hours later.
Parking my suitcase at the door, I return to the bed and lean down to kiss her one more time. Natalie’s eyes slowly open, and the heat from her hand warms the back of my neck. “Don’t leave me.”
Closing my eyes, I push down the will to stay, knowing I have to go. She pulls me close and kisses my head. When I don’t say anything . . . I can’t. She says, “I’ll see you soon. Whether on video or in person, we’ll be together.”
Three little words come to mind, though I know it’s too soon for that. I don’t even know why they’re coursing through me other than I wish I could lie down with her and stay. “Adulting sucks.”
She giggles while quietly rolling onto her back to look into my eyes. “It does, but being your girlfriend doesn’t.” She lifts up to steal a kiss. When she drops back down to the mattress, her hair splays over the pillow. I reach over to the nightstand and pick up the tiara she wore last night when we were out and during the second round of sex. I set it on her head, feeling like it fits her. She smiles, and my heart momentarily stops just looking at her. She’s a goddess, my muse, the prettiest girl I ever did see. She says, “I’m going to miss you.”
“I won’t allow enough time to pass to let you.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.” This time, I kiss her and then push off the bed.
But she grabs my hand before I get out of her reach and pulls me back to her. She takes her phone from the nightstand, and says, “Come here.” I lean down and kiss her. She takes a photo, and then says, “Say fries.”
I laugh but do as I’m told. “Fries.”
Typing quickly, she then drops the phone to the bed. My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and see the photo. She adds, “Now you have something to remember me by.”
I could stare at this photo all day, but when I’m with her, I’d rather look at her. Nodding, I stand, knowing I’ve run out of time. “See you around, New York.” Grabbing hold of my suitcase, I open the door and look back.
She rests up on her elbows. “See you soon, Mr. Smug and Sexy.”
The door closes behind me, and I walk down the hall with a stupid grin on my face.
* * *
“I have a girlfriend.”
My brother never looks up from the phone in his hands. “That’s great, but did you get the contracts?”
“Asshole.”
“What’s this about a girlfriend?” The sing-song voice has me turning on the barstool to find my mother smiling like a cat who ate the canary and can’t be bothered to hide the evidence. She rubs my shoulders and gives me a squeezing hug before moving to the other side of the island. “Tell me everything about New York and start with the girlfriend.”
“What?” Andrew asks, looking up from the screen. “You have a girlfriend?”
Rolling my eyes reminds me of Natalie and how cute she is when she does it. “You never listen, man.”
“I listen when it matters. Your extracurricular activities generally don’t interest me, but I have to admit that I’m surprised to hear this news, considering I didn’t think you were dating.”
My mom may not be saying anything, but she’s all ears with her expression leaning more toward all-knowing. “Which planet was in what house?”
She kicks her foot behind her and rests her elbows on the quartz countertop. Conspiratorially, she replies, “I didn’t want to say anything because, you know, changing fate can have a negative domino effect. But the new moon was in your fifth house and that means all kinds of good things are happening for you, Nicholas. It was the best time to take a trip. How did the meeting go?”
“I think we’re getting the deal.”
She smiles, her pride in me reflected in her eyes. “I knew you could do it. In business, the guides of the new moon work well for feedback. It was your time to shine.”
Andrew chuckles and goes around to the other side of the island. Wrapping his arm around her, he says, “I used to think you were weird.”
She asks, “And now?”
He kisses her head. “Now I know you are, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. If some spiritual or astrological current is guiding us to closing this deal, then I’m all for it.”
Pushing him away playfully, she turns back to me. “Your brother is too far gone to save, so I’m going to focus on you.”
“Oh yay,” I tease.
She wags a finger in my direction. “You should be grateful I talked your dad and Andrew into sending you. Not only are you coming back with great business news but also a girlfriend. You can thank me later, but for now, stop stalling and give me details.”
Shifting on the stool, I laugh. “Mrs. Singh was tough, but Garrett Stans, one of the other attorneys, shared an insider secret with me.”
“Not that,” my mom says just as Andrew says, “What is it?”
I start laughing. “Do we want the personal or the professional news first?”
“Personal.”
“Professional.”
I think we know who voted for what. Andrew finally caves. “Get the personal stuff out of the way so we can get down to business.” He reaches into the fridge and pulls two beers out for us and a bottle of wine for my mom. She likes her white wine extra cold despite what the know-it-all LA elites think.
He pours her a glass, and I twist the tops off the beer bottles. Seems like we’re going to be here a while, so I settle in after taking a long swig.
“I met her last spring actually.”
My mom’s grin grows. “In Catalina?”
I could lie just to throw off her game, but my mom’s the best, so I’ll always tell her what she wants to know. “I think you called it last May.”
“But how? You were in New York.”
“That’s where she’s from.” I take another drink and then add, “You’ll like this part best—I literally ran into her. Like physically ran into her on the street.”
Snapping, she bolts upright and points at me. “That’s fate intervening!”
“I knew you’d get a kick out of that.”
She slips around to my side of the island and hugs me again. “I’m so happy for you.”
I hug her back. “Me too. You’ll really like her. She’s smart and funny, really funny.” My mom steps back but keeps a hand on my cheek. “She loves to laugh and a great pun. Mom,” I start, now feeling a little shy with the next admission, “she’s so pretty. Literally, like I can’t take my eyes off her.”
“Do you have a picture? What’s her name?”
“I do.” I chuckle at that, as I pull out my phone to show Mom the photo Tatum sent me. “Here. This is Natalie.”
She hums with a smile on her face. “Oh, she’s beautiful. So sweet. And look at that. Nick and Natalie like Corbin and Cookie.”
Andrew shakes his head. My mom can’t see him, thank goodness. “Kissing in a tree.”
Gently laughing, she takes her glass and turns to him. “I actually have kissed your dad in a tree.” Walking around him, she taps his nose. “And then nine months later?—”
“Okay, that’s enough,” Andrew proclaims.
She’s still laughing when she heads for the back door. “I think my work here is done. I’ve horrified one son, and the other has met his match. On that note, I’m going to enjoy a little sunshine out back and let you boys talk business.”
As soon as the door closes behind her Andrew asks, “What’s the secret?”
“It’s not so much a secret as it’s wicked skills, big brother.”
My shoulder is punched. “Really? You know I’m talking about business. What did Stans tell you?”
“Ah. Yes. He told me the CEO wants to retire. He’s had some health issues. He also says that they want to keep the family atmosphere and were impressed with us.” I finish the beer and then continue, “I got the distinct feeling that if we padded the offer, we’d probably get a quick answer.”
He drinks his beer, but I can tell by the distant gaze that he’s deep in thought. “What do you think would seal the deal?”
“Obviously, we need to be in the millions. A few hundred K isn’t going to impress anyone.”
“We were willing to go up another three mil without approval, but I have to talk to Dad to see where he thinks we should land so we’re not screwing ourselves. Manhattan Financial would have to continue to turn a profit after the acquisition. Especially then. But I’m not worried. We’ll get our accounting team in and trim the fat. As for the health issues, what’s up?”
“Not sure. It was mentioned on the down-low without too many details. He’s just ready to retire and enjoy the golden years.”
“Kids?”
“Yeah, but he said they’re not interested in the business. I think it will be an easy transition as well. He seemed eager to lead it.”
“That’s good. Less we have to worry about. We can talk to Dad in the morning and make a plan.” Clapping me on the back, he says, “You did good, Nick. Making us proud.” He heads for the stairs but stops and looks back at me. “As for the girlfriend, it’s about damn time. And you know if we win this deal, we’re going to need some people in New York. It might be something to consider.”
I hadn’t thought about that, but now that he’s mentioned it, I have a feeling I won’t think about anything else. What do I want to do? Where do I want to live? How long can I stay away from Natalie without feeling like I’m going insane?
Spinning to my feet, I grab my suitcase and head to my bedroom. I moved home after graduation to save money to eventually buy a place by the ocean. But Natalie has me thinking. Maybe I want to rent something in the meantime so when she comes to visit, we have privacy.
The next morning in the conference room bright and early, I sit beside my brother at the long table. “I typed up all the notes, including my suggestions.” As we come to the end of the list, I ask, “What do you think?”
My dad angles toward me from the head of the table, rubbing his chin. “I think it’s worth upping the offer and getting this deal closed. Are you up for the task, Nick?”
“I am.” The answer’s easy even if a little self-serving; I get to see Natalie again.
“I want this company.” He stands, not minding a team of people watching his every move. “Andrew will go with you. He can handle the negotiations, but I want you to back him. As for the paperwork, make sure the legal language is in our favor. Don’t let me down. Close it and come home with signed contracts.”
“I’ll take care of it and get us situated on the East Coast.”
My dad says, “Good job on pushing this to happen. Stans would have never confided in just anyone. It’s because of you, Nick. He trusted you enough to let you know about the CEO’s private situation.” He looks up and grins. “Christiansen Wealth Management Manhattan has a great ring to it. Have a good day, everyone.” He walks toward the door with the others.
Andrew rocks back in the office chair. “What do you say? You up to take New York by storm?”
With Natalie at the forefront of my mind, I reply, “I’m ready.”