Chapter 21
TWENTY-ONE
Ridge
“ I need a status update on each of the properties you’re all working on,” Jo said, glancing around the conference room table at the faces of our executive team. “Brady, why don’t you start?”
Brady kicked back in his chair and crossed his arms behind his head. “Things are going well in Bangkok. Lily and I are only home for a couple more days before we return to Thailand. I’ll be able to give you a more detailed analysis when we get back since I’m expecting the crew to have moved mountains while we’ve been gone.” He smiled. “Wait until you see the hotel, you guys. It’s fucking sick.”
“Are you on track to hit the completion date?” Jo asked him.
Brady nodded. “We should be good.”
Jo jotted some notes on her pad of paper and addressed Macon. “Now that Kauai is finished, are you scouting for another property?”
“I’m always on the hunt,” Macon replied. “I’ve got a few locations brewing.”
Jo looked at Cooper. “Tell me about Lake Louise and downtown Banff.”
Cooper whistled out some air. “We’re in the thick of it—aren’t we, baby?” he said to Rowan.
“God, we are,” Rowan sighed.
“We’re about halfway there, maybe,” Cooper continued. “Or technically , I guess you could say. But there’s still a long way to go. I’ve been riding the hell out of the contractor to try to speed things up. We’re behind, but hopefully, we’ll get caught up.”
“Jesus,” I said, shaking my head. “That was a visual I did not want.”
Cooper flipped me off. “I didn’t mean it that way.”
“Of course you didn’t.” I laughed at him and reached into my pocket, grabbing my phone, which was vibrating.
Addison
Sitting in class, dreaming about YOU and the beach … but mostly you.
Me
What do those dreams look like? Are you naked in them?
“Ridge?”
“Huh?” I glanced up, realizing Jo, along with everyone else, was looking at me. “Yeah?”
“Do you want to give us a status update on the Malibu and Beverly Hills hotels?”
Brady tapped his thumb on the table. “No, he’d rather fixate on his girl. I’m assuming that’s who you were texting since you were looking like a dreamy-eyed chick the whole time.”
I set my phone down with the screen facing the wood. “It’s none of your business who I was texting.”
“Which means that’s exactly who he was texting,” Macon teased.
“I think we need a status update on the teacher,” Brady added. “Let’s start there. We can get to Malibu and Beverly Hills after.”
I shook my head, running my hand over the top of it. “You fools aren’t getting anything out of me.”
Cooper looked at Rowan and smiled, adjusting his tie before he said, “That’s because things are getting serious between you two, aren’t they?”
“Things aren’t getting serious,” I told them. “At least not in the way I want them to. But I’m working on it.”
“You caved,” Rhett said, slapping his hand on the table. “It only took you a fucking second, and you’re already talking about her.”
I laughed. “I barely said anything.”
“But you said something,” Rhett shot back. “And these fucking vultures will eat up even the smallest morsel, which you just gave them.”
“Vultures? That’s the best you’ve got?” Brady barked. “Because this group—minus Rowan and Jo—is far worse than a bird of prey, you motherfucker.” He looked at me. “Why aren’t things serious yet? I thought you would have locked her down by now.”
I glanced at my brother, who was rolling his eyes at me. “We have some logistics we need to work out first,” I voiced to the group, “and then we should be good.”
“You’re telling me she hasn’t quit the strip club yet?” Cooper asked. “Is that still the issue?”
Nothing was a secret within this crew. Once a brother or sister or cousin found out something, shit spread like goddamn wildfire.
I shook my head. “She’ll be quitting soon. In the meantime, we’ve been spending more time together, and things are certainly progressing in the right direction.”
“Has Jana met her?” Macon asked.
“She will tonight.” I gripped the edge of the table. “We have a parent-teacher conference at school.”
“You mean, the two of you have a meeting with just Addison,” Rhett clarified. “Am I right?”
“Yes,” I replied. “It’ll just be the three of us.”
Rowan’s back shot up straight. “Wait, you’re not going to introduce Addison as your girlfriend during the meeting … are you?”
“Shit no,” I huffed. “I’m not going to say a fucking word to Jana about what’s happening between Addison and me. I’m just saying, the two women are going to meet. That’s step one.” I swiveled in the chair. “Addison suggested that maybe we should wait until the end of the school year to tell Jana or even during the summer—you know, so we don’t rock the boat.”
“Do you want to know what I think of that?” Rowan asked.
I laughed. “I’m sure I know, but go ahead.” I nodded toward her. “Hit me with it.”
“I hate that idea,” my sister said.
“Me too,” Jo agreed.
“Honestly, I do too,” I said. “I’ll have the conversation with Jana once things are sealed between Addison and me.”
“Which means it’ll be happening very soon,” Rhett said.
“Probably,” I voiced.
“Now, it’s my turn to be honest with you,” Brady said, leaning his arms on the table. “Hear me out. I’m glad it’s you needing to have that conversation and not me.” He smiled.
“Why?” I pressed.
“Because it’s going to suck. And I don’t envy you one bit.”
Addison
I wasn’t naked in those dreams … but I can be in the future.
Shit, now, you’ve got my brain going a million miles per hour, thinking ALL the things.
Me
You’re fantasizing about my tongue, aren’t you?
Addison
Yes.
Me
And my fingers …
Addison
Staaaap. I’m staring at your daughter while she’s finishing a worksheet, and I need to scrub my brain with bleach.
Me
LOL.
Listen, about tonight.
Addison
Yeah, we need to talk about that.
I don’t know why, but I’m nervous. Tell me not to be nervous.
Me
Don’t be nervous. As far as Jana is concerned, we’re just two parents coming in to discuss our daughter with her teacher.
Addison
I like that plan. My stomach also likes that plan. Not the time or place to address anything other than Daisy’s progress.
Me
Agreed.
Addison
Then, I’ll see you tonight?
Me
Do me a favor and don’t look too sexy. I don’t want to be tempted to reach under the table and finger you during our meeting.
Addison
RIDGE!
Me
I’m just warning you.
Addison tucked a chunk of hair behind her ear, revealing a thick gold loop and a cuff around the top of her cartilage. An ear I was fucking dreaming about kissing as Jana and I sat on the other side of the table as her. Addison’s hands were clasped on top of a folder that she’d opened several times during our meeting, showing us different sheets of paper that she’d specifically prepared on Daisy. Every time she spoke, I was more focused on her lips than the words coming out of them. She’d bitten off most of her gloss, her teeth repeatedly finding some part of her lip to chew during the fifteen or so minutes we’d been in here.
She was hiding her nerves well, but I could feel them.
Only because I could feel her.
“We’ve gone over Daisy’s reading skills, her listening and comprehension,” Addison said, her hands now beneath the table. “We’ve discussed the curriculum we’ve covered so far in math, social studies, and science. In addition to her overall behavior within the classroom, the hallway, lunchroom, and recess.” She looked from Jana to me and back to Jana. “Now, it’s time for you to ask me any questions. I’m happy to answer anything.” Her teeth resumed their chewing, this time targeting the corner of her top lip.
Jana glanced at me and then said, “Admittedly, I’ve been working out of state since Daisy started school, but Ridge has mentioned to me that he’s extremely impressed with what he’s seen from her so far, along with the homework you’ve assigned and how much stronger she’s gotten in reading in such a short time.”
“I appreciate that.” Addison smiled. “She’s one of the most enjoyable students I have in my class.”
Daisy’s progress was something Jana and I discussed often. I had no doubt it was due to Addison being a rock-star teacher. And even though my attention had faded in and out during this conversation, one thing was certain: Addison’s presentation had been impressive as hell.
“Not to get personal,” Jana said to her, “and maybe Daisy has brought this up during class—I don’t know—but Ridge and I are co-parenting our daughter in separate homes. With all the back and forth, I just want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to further her education.” Jana pushed down on the top of her floppy hat and then ran her hand down her bare arm as though she were trying to warm herself up.
At one point, I would have done that for her, the heat of my hands always changing the temperature of her skin.
I wasn’t missing that role. I was acknowledging how much had changed because, now, it was Addison’s skin that I craved.
“Are there any books you suggest we read?” Jana continued. “Ones that could guide us on how to navigate our situation? I would love some tips on how to successfully balance home life and education when a child is just starting school and bouncing between Mom’s house and Dad’s house.”
“We don’t want Daisy to feel affected in any way,” I offered. “And so far, I think we’ve done a great job with the transition between our two homes. But school is an obstacle we don’t know much about, and we just want to make sure she continues to excel.”
“Of course.” Addison nodded. “For what it’s worth, there are other students in my class who are in a similar situation as Daisy—and I’m only saying that so you don’t feel like you’re the only ones. I’m happy to provide a list of books that I think could help. Books that I’ve read, so I feel comfortable passing them along, given their gentle but effective approach. I’ll be sure to email you that list by the morning.” Addison moved her hands back up to the table, playing with one of the rings on her finger. “I do want to say, Daisy is one of the most grounded students I have. I can tell she had an extremely strong foundation coming in, and she’s already performing in the top percentage of the class—socially and academically.”
“She’s been a social butterfly from the moment she could speak, hasn’t she?” Jana said to me. “We certainly know who she got that from.” She eyed me with a grin.
I chuckled. “It wasn’t from me.”
While I stared at Jana, I could feel Addison’s eyes on me.
But despite her being tempting as hell, I made a conscious effort not to look at her.
Jana was worried about how to navigate between our homes, and at the moment, I was far more concerned with not giving Addison any amount of attention that would set off a Jana alarm.
“Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?” Addison asked.
“I think we’ve covered it all,” I said to Jana.
Jana nodded. “Yes, I agree.”
Jana and I stood, and she reached across the table to shake Addison’s hand.
Addison immediately reacted, clasping Jana’s fingers. “It was great to meet you. I’ll be in touch with the book suggestions.”
“Thank you,” Jana said.
I took her hand as soon as she released Jana, and I said, “It was great talking with you, Miss Lark.”
“Likewise,” Addison replied, her voice more formal than casual.
The moment her fingers dropped from mine, I held out my arm, signaling for Jana to walk out first, and as we made our way through the classroom, I took a peek at Addison from over my shoulder. She’d left the table we had sat at, and she was standing by her desk, holding a bottle of water that she hadn’t sipped from yet.
Her eyes were locked with mine.
And even though I only got a few seconds to gaze at her, I could see the mask melting from her face, and I scored a smile before I turned the corner and joined Jana in the hallway.
“I feel good about that meeting,” she said as we made our way toward the exit.
“I agree.”
“Do you have any concerns about her age?”
“Her age?” I tried to keep my voice low and unemotional.
“She can’t be more than, what, twenty-two, twenty-three, tops?”
Rather than comment on her age—since I knew the answer—I held the lobby door open for her and shifted things a little by saying, “Do you find that as a negative?”
“Someone with more experience couldn’t hurt. But you’ve said you’re pleased with Daisy’s progress so far, right?”
When we reached the front of her car, I stopped and turned toward her. “Daisy’s doing great. There’s nothing to worry about as far as her education is concerned.”
“I just wish Addison had a few more years under her belt—that’s all.” She shifted her weight, crossing her arms over her chest. “She did sound confident though, especially with the co-parenting part, and she was definitely reassuring.”
“I think she’s going to be good for our girl.”
“Because she’s gorgeous?” She rolled her eyes, letting out a small laugh. “Don’t tell me you didn’t notice.”
It didn’t matter if she was my ex or not; I wasn’t a fucking idiot, and I knew better than to go there. “Because the school wouldn’t have hired her if the administration didn’t think she was qualified and up to par with today’s standards.” I needed Jana to know I was on her side when it came to our daughter. “We’ll keep an eye on things, and if you don’t think Daisy is making the kind of leaps that she should, we’ll reevaluate.” I paused. “Sound good?”
She nodded. “Let me know if you want to pop over sometime this weekend to see her. If not, I’ll plan on dropping her off on Monday.”
“How long is this trip for?”
She moved all her hair onto one shoulder and finger-combed the strands. “Just four days. I’ll be back in time to pick her up from school on Friday.” She pulled out her key fob with her other hand. “Hey, I meant to ask you. Did you buy the concert tickets?”
I chuckled. “Yeah, I did.”
“And am I going to kill you over how much you spent?”
“I’m never going to tell you how much I spent, so no.”
“Ridge …” She stood frozen in the doorway of her car, assessing my face. “You got VIP tickets, didn’t you?”
I took a few steps toward my car. “Why would you think that?”
“Because I know you better than anyone and I can see right through you.”
I just hoped that was all she could see.
I gave her a smile and turned around, waving to her over my shoulder as I headed to my car. Once I was in the driver’s seat, I watched Jana pull out of the parking lot, and I took out my phone to send Addison a text.
Me
God, you’re amazing.
Addison
Not sure if you’re still up?! It’s been a long night … and I’ve had a few drinks with Leah.
Me
Are you all right?
Addison
Yeah, yeah. 20 meetings was a lot.
Me
Ours couldn’t have gone better, I don’t think. You’re impressive—I hope you know that.
Addison
I didn’t get the sense that Jana agrees with you.
I don’t know, maybe I’m just too far inside my head.
But I was right about her, Ridge, she’s gorgeous.
Me
You’re too far inside your head. She loved you. It’s all good. I promise.
Addison
Good night. 3
Me
Sweet dreams, baby.
Me
I’m just checking on you this morning and making sure you’re all right.
Addison
I’m all right. Thank you. 3
Me
Tell me you’re not still inside your head.
Addison
I’m working my way out.
I just worry about everything. Jana seems amazing, and I don’t want to step on any toes, nor do I want this to be messy in any way. Ya know?
Me
It won’t be. We’re going to figure it out together.
I’ll see you at the club tonight?
Addison
You know I’ll be there.