Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
ASLAN
I have to man up and disappoint my mother.
Confessing that I don’t want to be with anyone because I don’t want to end up like her or leave someone broken is a conversation I’ve been trying to avoid for years. It might be time to face reality and come clean.
“That conversation was…” I look up at Keaton who leans against the desk, crossing her arms and shaking her head a couple of times.
“What’s your next move? Tinder?” She laughs and turns to my assistant who has been listening to the conversation too.
“Lulu, place an ad on…no, get us a talent agent. There has to be someone who’s willing to go to Hawaii.
Someone capable of convincing his family that they’re in a loving relationship. We need an award-winning actress.”
Her voice might be dripping sarcasm, but she’s onto something. “Why don’t we try Craigslist?”
“Or…” Keaton lifts her index finger as if she’s asking for my attention. “Hear me out, because I have something that might blow your mind.”
“Please, I can’t wait to hear your solution,” I say mockingly.
“You might want to confront your mother and tell her the truth.”
I shake my head. Didn’t she listen to the conversation?
Why are all the women in my life so infuriating? At least this one should be different, more understanding. She’s practical like me.
“What’s next, let her play matchmaker? I swear none of the females around me take me seriously.”
“We do, don’t we, Lulu?” Keaton burst into laughter.
“Don’t laugh,” I order
“This is…you’re scared of your mom. It’s priceless and endearing.”
Obviously, she’s never had to deal with the mom version of Dawn Spearman. “She’s a frightening woman. I’d rather hire someone than confront her. It’s in the name of self-preservation. It’s very uncomfortable to hear how many months she spent on bed rest while pregnant or…it’s not pretty.”
“So, you’re willing to pay someone to go with you to Hawaii? How much are we talking about?”
I like when she’s challenging me. I return the question with another one. “Would you do it?”
“If it pays well…” She shrugs a shoulder before pushing herself up and sitting on my desk. My mouth is watering as I imagine opening her legs and burying my face against her core.
She stares at her nails, then at me. “I might consider it. I mean, it’s a trip to paradise. God knows I need a vacation and a gazillion fruity drinks with umbrellas on top. As a bonus, I get to watch this dramedy in real time.”
I glare at her. “I’m not amused.”
“I can’t apologize. It’s hilarious. You can’t be serious about hiring someone.”
“I am. I’d give away my entire fortune, but do you think anyone would say yes?”
She taps her lips with her index finger. She has this cute habit of putting things close to her mouth or chewing them that makes me fucking hard. Every time she does that, I want to kiss her—which I won’t. She’s my employee. Our relationship is strictly platonic.
Do I find her attractive?
Sure, she’s cute in a Leighton Meester kind of way.
Big brown eyes, dark, wavy brown hair, and delicate features.
Though, Keaton is curvier and prettier than Leighton.
Okay, so maybe I look at her more than I should.
When Lysander said I’m a softy for her, I wanted to say ‘ No, I usually get too fucking hard when she’s around .
’ Which is uncomfortable when I wear suits that might show how much she affects me.
“Your entire fortune, huh?” she asks, and I can’t read her tone. Is she considering it?
“Who do you think will say, ‘Yes, pay me to be with you?’” I repeat, trying to forget how attracted I am to Keaton.
“Can we stop and discuss the irony? You avoid women because you presume that most of them are with you because of your money. Yet, you’re willing to pay someone to be with you.”
And there’s another round of laughter. She’s not wrong, but there’s a huge difference between falling in love with someone who is with me for my money and faking being with a woman for a week. It’s like night and day.
“Keat, I’m serious.”
“Plenty of people might agree to do it, but will they be good at it?” She shakes her head, almost exasperated. “You’re a pretty complicated man. It’ll have to be someone who can deal with your…personality. There’s not enough money or time in the world to tame you.”
I glare at her. “What does that mean?”
Before she answers, the phone rings again, and knowing it’s Mom, I pick it up immediately. “What now?”
“Umm…sorry, I thought this was Keaton Nealy’s office.” An almost child-like female voice answers.
“May I ask who’s looking for her?”
Keaton jumps off of the desk and walks toward the coffee table. Her eyes are glued to the phone, and her hand is pressing against her chest. “What’s happening, Savannah?”
“You said you were taking care of everything, but obviously, you lied.” The soft voice is gone. She sounds a lot like Keaton, but angry.
“What are you talking about?” Keaton’s voice fills with panic.
“There’s a foreclosure notice posted on our door.” The kid on the other side of the line begins to cry. “It’s over. We’re losing everything. You failed me like everyone in this world. I’m leaving with Lex. Don’t wait up for me.”
“Savvy, remember that we’re going to see Mom.” Keaton uses that cool, calm voice that makes everyone around stop and take a deep breath. “Everything is going to be fine.”
“Nothing will be fine. Why do you want to go and see her? Are you going to tell her that she might get evicted from the long-term facility? I doubt she’ll understand, but good luck with your visit.”
“Savvy, I’m fixing this.”
“Lies. All you say are lies. The same ones I heard from Mom while growing up. You’re just like her. The fridge is empty, we don’t have hot water, and they threatened to cut the power if we don’t pay by Friday.”
I squeeze Keaton’s shoulder lightly, reassuring her that everything will be fine. I’ll help her with whatever she needs.She looks up and closes her eyes. Her face turns red from the embarrassment. “Let me call you from my phone.”
“Don’t bother. I just wanted to let you know that soon we’ll be homeless. Thank you for nothing.”
Keaton stares at the phone for a couple of beats. “I have some…I’m taking the rest of the day off if you don’t mind.”
Her hands tremble as she gathers her things. I follow her to her office. I can’t stomach thinking of what can happen if she goes by herself. I send a text to Tim so he can meet us downstairs.
I glance toward my assistant’s desk. “Lulu, I’ll be gone for the rest of the day.”
“Do you want me to transfer your calls to your phone?”
“No. Unless it’s a family emergency.” I halt and look over my shoulder. “A real emergency.”
“Of course.”
“Keaton,” I call after her as she heads to the elevator.
“I’ll be gone for half a day. I promise to make up for my absence,” she says. “Once I figure out…”
The elevator doors slide open. Once we’re in, I place my hands on her shoulder. “You can take as much time off as you need. I’m coming with you.”
“Why would you do that? I’ll be fine. I’m fine.”
Obviously, her concept of fine is different from mine. I wonder how long she’s been going through this ordeal. Why hasn’t she told me?
“I want to come in case you need something,” I answer.
“I’ll be…” Her shoulders slump. We both know that she won’t be okay.
“Humor me.”
“The call was embarrassing enough.”
“I know, my mother is a handful, but you can’t just push me away because of her.”
“I was talking about mine…”
“Compared to Dawn Spearman, I think your call was okay,” I say, unsure about her relationship with Savannah. It dawns on me that even though we spend hours working together, I don’t know shit about her family.
The corner of her lips almost pull up into a smile.
Almost.
“Come on. We don’t have much time left before some businesses begin to close.”
She hangs her head and steps out of the elevator. “It’s not that simple.”
But I can make it as easy as she lets me. I can pay for her mortgage, her utilities, and fill her fridge with food. No wonder she’s always saying that she doesn't have cash. But I pay her a competitive salary, don’t I?
What is the deal with her, and how can I fix her problems?
I hate to see her upset. I should be asking myself why, but I don’t because I might not want to deal with the answer.
Or do I?