Chapter 4 #2
Since I’m in Charleston, I’m going to visit with my friend Fisher, who moved here somewhat recently. He lives downtown with his fiancée, Ellie. Fisher agreed to meet me at a bar I own in the area—one of my many investments that a team runs in my absence.
The Blue Marlin Lounge is a go-to place in downtown Charleston and is named after the very elusive white whale of my own, the Marlin. A little homage to the villain of my story, whom I haven’t been able to capture. Hopefully, that all ends with this next mission I’m about to embark on.
“Here you are, sir.”
I look up to see that Pierre has the gifts wrapped and bagged already.
“Thank you,” I say as I slide over my black credit card.
“My pleasure. I’ll be right back,” he says with the card in his hand. He disappears once more, only this time to a nearby cash register.
As he returns with my card, I realize I may be in over my head when it comes to Cara. I’ve never had the urge to settle down, and I still don’t, but the pull to make her happy is an overwhelming sensation.
It must be because of my relationship with her father. Luke would kill me if he knew I was marrying Cara. His finding out is a bridge we hopefully won’t have to cross.
My plan is to marry Cara for the time being.
I’ve secured all the necessary paperwork for us, so she won’t need to worry about me taking her money or the companies she owns.
Then, when all this is finished, we can get divorced.
Clean and simple. No mess and nothing to worry about after the next few months.
“Here you are, sir. Thank you once again for your business.”
“Thank you,” I say.
“And if I may, I’m glad to see someone has finally captured your attention after all these years. She must be very special.”
I study Pierre for just a moment. He has been my go-to for years.
“Thank you. She is.”
Isn’t that the damn truth?
She’s the only one I’ve ever been tempted enough by, but also the one with whom this can never be real.
He gives me a warm smile as I take the bag and leave.
“Didn’t think I’d find you in Charleston again anytime soon,” Fisher says as he slides into my private area at the Blue Marlin Lounge.
“Never thought you’d give up your life in Seattle for a woman,” I taunt.
Fisher smirks and then orders a whiskey.
“What brings you here for such a short amount of time?” he asks.
“I had to pick something up. You know I favor Charleston over any of the businesses out in California.”
“Which I’m sure are just as good.”
“They are, but you know my pull to the area.”
“That I do. Thinking of coming back for longer any time soon?”
The server distracts us both as she hands Fisher his cocktail. He takes a small drink before setting it down on the table.
“No. I have another trip that’s going to take me away for longer than usual.”
Fisher knows about my work, but we don’t dare talk about it in detail in a busy public setting like this.
He gives me a curt nod before looking around the room. It’s busy at this time of night.
“Where’s Ellie?” I ask.
“She’s out with her friend Harper.”
“Harper?”
“She’s one of the women who went out on the bachelorette party cruise a couple of years ago. The one you gave her VIP here for.”
“Oh, right. She’s with the boat captain?”
“That’s right.”
I lean forward to grab my cocktail, and Fisher does the same as we settle back in our seats.
“Are you in trouble?” he asks.
“I couldn’t tell you if I was.”
“Are you?”
I look around the room.
“No. Not yet.”
“You know I’m here for you. If trouble happens, I’ll be here.”
“It might just come to that.”
His jaw ticks, and I know Fisher is wishing I would have just gone to his house. I didn’t because I knew my friend would want to know more than I can give him. We’ve always had a silent agreement in our friendship. I’ve helped him from time to time, and he’s been a confidant for me.
It’s rare to trust anyone once you’ve been in my line of work for a while. Most people will just let you down.
“You know you can trust me. And Ellie. And our friends here.”
“I do.”
I take a sip of my cocktail to buy some time.
“You’d like them. One day, I want you to come back here and take a real break.”
I grin as I swirl what’s left of my drink in front of me.
“Is it really a break if I’ve set up my retirement plan here?”
Fisher grins back.
“Now that’s what I like to hear.”
A server comes over, and I request another round plus a bottle of champagne.
“Champagne?” Fisher asks, slightly confused.
“Don’t tell me Ellie and Harper won’t be stopping by here on their way home.”
“I think they’ll be by any minute.”
“Perfect. Then I’m afraid to say, I have to be going.”
“Leaving me here?”
“Have to get back. Tomorrow, it all begins.”
“What does?”
I stand and adjust my suit jacket.
“Forever, evidently.”
The server stops by, and I take a drink of the fresh cocktail before setting it back on her tray. As I do, Ellie and her friend Harper come walking up.
“Hi, Grant,” Ellie greets me.
“Looking as beautiful as ever, Ellie.”
She goes in for a hug that I reciprocate. As I pull away, I put out my hand to say hello to her friend.
“And you must be Harper. Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials.”
“Thank you. Not too much longer to go.”
“Your fiancé is a lucky man.”
“Thank you. You’re as suave as Ellie said you would be,” Harper teases.
“It’s part of the job.”
I look back to Ellie.
“Unfortunately, I have to run. Duty calls. But please, enjoy the evening here. I’ll be back in Charleston soon enough.”
“Oh, really?” Ellie says excitedly.
“I don’t know what choice I have with your grumpy bastard.”
Ellie and Harper laugh as they walk past me.
“It’s good to see you,” Ellie says.
“Take care of him.”
“You know I will.”
I look over at my friend Fisher, who’s pretending to glare at me.
“Until next time,” I say.
“Good luck,” he answers.
Luck.
I’m always lucky.
I’d rather be lucky than good. At least I know luck has been on my side ever since Cara Collins came into the picture.
My lucky charm.