Chapter 11 #2
So, it was back to the original duo, she and Jordan.
Out to do what they could to make a difference in the world.
Make a difference for Christian singles via Dream Match.
Make money so they could make a difference for orphans and those trapped by poverty.
To help others and be a blessing. She drew in a salt-tinged breath and exhaled.
They just had to keep the main thing the main thing.
The ferry slowly drew in to Circular Quay, then nudged the wharf.
She waited for the initial rush of passengers to depart, happy to hang back until most of them had gone.
She didn’t want to lose her way in the crowd.
Jordan was supposed to pick her up at The Rocks, and then they’d drive to Sydney’s expensive eastern suburbs where they’d meet Eric and Geoff.
Apparently Eric lived at Dover Heights, just north of Bondi’s famous beach, and while she was curious to know exactly where Eric lived, she wasn’t about to encourage anything like that.
But still. It would be nice to see how the really rich people of the world lived.
She reached the lawn between Circular Quay and the Museum of Contemporary Art and waited, but she couldn’t see Jordan anywhere. Of course, parking in this section of Sydney was a nightmare, so maybe he was having trouble finding a parking spot.
Her phone started vibrating, and she hooked it out from her handbag, her heart sinking at the name. She answered. “Don’t tell me you’re not coming either.”
“Huh? Why, who else isn’t going to be there?” Jordan asked.
“It’s only me. Everyone else has piked.”
He coughed. “I’m not piking. I just feel a little crook. I keep getting these dizzy spells, and I don’t think you’re gonna want my company today.”
She could hardly protest when the man was sick. “It sounds like you’ve got what I had a week or so ago. I’m really sorry if I gave you my bug.”
“Hey, I’m the one who’s really sorry. Especially when I know you’ve gone to so much trouble to make sure that I can be there today.”
It had taken something of a miracle to get all six of them able to meet, and now it was only her and Eric and Geoff?
Oh, she hoped that Eric did not think this was some sort of plan of hers to get him alone.
She would much prefer the protection provided by the company of others.
There was safety in numbers, and all that.
But then again, this was only a business deal, a business proposition. And Maurice was right—she knew the business inside and out, so at least it wasn’t her who couldn’t be here.
“It’s fine. I’m praying that you feel better soon.”
“Thanks.” He coughed. “Maybe you could see if Eric can change the day again, given we all can’t be there.”
“Change the day?” Again? “I don’t think he’ll be happy, especially at this late stage.” No way would Eric be happy. “I’ll ask, but I don’t like my chances.”
He sighed. “Well, I’ll be praying that you’re safe and this goes the way it should.”
“Amen.”
He chuckled. “Be wise, okay?”
“Of course. I won’t go signing anything, but I will be putting my best foot forward.”
He coughed again. “How are you going to get there now?”
Oh. An excellent question. She could take a ferry, which would stop via Rose Bay; then she’d need to take a bus.
Or she could Uber it. Neither of those options had much appeal.
She wanted to look professional, hence the desire to take Jordan’s Audi.
It might be a few years old, but it looked classy without being pretentious.
“I don’t know. But you don’t need to worry about it. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
“I know. I just want you to feel safe.”
Jordan was always so sweet to be concerned. “Whatever I do, I think I’m going to be a lot later than what I said, so I’m going to have to call him and explain.”
“Maybe he’ll be happy to do this another day,” he reminded her.
“Maybe.” Except given the amount of trouble it had taken to arrange this date, she wasn’t sure that would fly. “I’ll let you know. Anyway, I’d better go. And I’m so sorry you feel sick. I really hope I didn’t give it to you.”
“I don’t think you did. It’s flu season, so I guess it’s going around.”
“I’d better go. Take care of yourself, okay? Get some rest. And I’ll call you and let you know how it goes once it’s done.”
“I’ll be praying,” he said.
“Good. Because I have a feeling I’ll need it.”
A minute later, she was on a different call. It felt strange to have the phone number of one of the richest men in Australia.
Eric answered on the first ring. “EJ. Don’t tell me you’re calling to say you’re not coming.”
“No. But I’m afraid that it’s only me.”
A beat. “The others can’t come?”
“No.” She debated telling him the details but figured he probably didn’t really want to know. Except to say “Jordan is sick and figured you probably didn’t want to catch that from him.”
“Good of him. Well, in that case, I’ll tell Geoff not to bother either.”
Oh no. She didn’t want to lose this chance to talk about Dream Match! “Jordan wondered if you’d want to reschedule—”
His sigh stole her words. “You know this took a lot to arrange in the first place, EJ.”
“I know,” she said meekly. That sounded like a no, then. Darn. “In that case, I’m sorry, but I’m going to be a little late. I was going to catch a ride with Jordan, so now I’m going to be catching a ferry instead.”
“A ferry?” Eric asked, as if he’d never used public transport in his life. Perhaps he hadn’t.
“There’s one that leaves for Rose Bay in ten minutes, so I’m just heading back to the terminal to catch it.”
“EJ, I’m happy to meet somewhere else if that’s easier.”
“To be honest, I was actually looking forward to going to the eastern suburbs. It’s not an area I’m super familiar with, especially not on the ferry.”
“Well, in that case let’s meet at the Rose Bay ferry terminal. There are some nice restaurants nearby we could go to.”
“For our coffee?” she reminded him.
“Exactly. But it needs to be quiet enough so we can hear each other talk. I’ll meet you at the ferry terminal, and we’ll take it from there.”
“Okay. See you soon.”
Her heart prickled with anticipation as she put her phone back in her handbag.
This was an adventure. And sure, not such a grand adventure as her sister had experienced by going to England.
But one couldn’t be expected to have those kinds of overseas opportunities very often.
They were supposed to be the difference, not the norm.
Besides, she knew that Sydney had numerous fascinating places she had yet to discover.
And if it meant she had to do it in the name of her business, then so be it.
Okay, so it was back to the ferry for her.
She took another ferry, this time heading east past the Opera House, the Botanic Garden, and Garden Island where several Australian Navy ships were docked.
Then the bays: Elizabeth Bay, Rushcutters Bay, Double Bay, where so many of Australia’s wealthiest people had homes that overlooked the harbour.
Just past Point Piper was Rose Bay, named long ago for a British treasury secretary who had been the last man to see Lord Nelson alive.
Rose Bay had a marina filled with expensive yachts and a beach that even today had people catching a tan and hitting the waves.
She braced, pushed her shoulders back, her palms slick with sweat.
It was one thing to have made a game plan for her team to go in with gusto, but it felt completely different when all the other players had dropped out and it was only her alone with Eric.
Still, she was a professional and so was he.
They could have a business meeting without it becoming weird.
Lord, please help me so it doesn’t become weird.
The ferry docked, and she exited in the first group of travellers. Now wasn’t the time to hold back, not when she was already late. She tapped her Opal card and then retrieved her phone and tapped out a message. “I’m here.”
“So am I,” he replied. She glanced up. And her heart beat faster.