CHAPTER ELEVEN
Ford
She didn’t have a ring on her finger.
I just signed on the dotted line to co-own a property with a woman I don’t particularly know, and as I slide into the back seat and my driver heads back to the office, that’s the one constant that keeps going through my head. That big, sparkly diamond engagement ring was nowhere in sight.
And believe me, I looked.
My cell rings, and I know who it is before I even look at the screen.
“It took you long enough,” I say as a means of greeting.
“Dude. If you only knew the hell I’ve just endured. A bazillion-hour Zoom call. Trying to figure shit out through broken English and my non-existent Portuguese. I deserve a goddamn medal,” Callahan says.
“Oh. Poor baby. You actually had to put in some hours today where you couldn’t fuck off in between calls?”
“Says the man trying to buy . . . cottages? A motel?” He snorts. “What the fuck, Ford?”
“So you’re calling to read me the riot act because I ignored the one that Ledger gave me earlier?”
“Nope.”
I let silence sit on the connection as I wait for the but to come. However, nothing comes. “What do you mean, nope?”
“You have an MBA. I’m pretty sure you know the meaning of the word.”
“Fuck off.”
“Gladly.” He chuckles. “Honestly though, I think it’s an interesting idea that has decent potential.”
“Wait? You’re serious?” Callahan is agreeing with me? Is hell freezing over?
“I am. Sutton thinks it’s a good idea too,” he says, referring to his wife.
“Well, that’s an unexpected turn of events.”
“See? I’m not always an asshole.”
“Just most of the time,” I say.
“Pretty much. So you really bought an inn?”
“You could say that.”
“Aren’t you full of surprises.”
“Always,” I say as my driver honks his horn when a cyclist cuts in front of him.
“So, the usual? Hillary on the transition team? Stanley on the off-sites?” he asks, referring to our project managers.
“No. I’m taking lead on this.”
Callahan’s laugh rumbles through the line. “Funny.”
“I’m dead serious.”
If disbelief had a sound, the silence stretching between us would be it.
In our dynamic at S.I.N., I’m the big-picture guy.
I look at our properties, old and new, and assess what they need, what’s trending that we need to follow, ensuring that our overall brand is consistently strong.
Callahan is the hands-on one. When resorts are making the changes that I suggest, he’s the one who oversees the transition.
And then there’s Ledger who oversees the entire company as well as being the point person for all acquisitions.
So for me to tell Callahan I’m going to be hands-on, doing what is typically his realm, is understandably comical to him.
“So you’re going to be staying there? On-site? Boots on the ground?”
“Yes. I’m going to live there for a bit. Work remotely. Fly into the office when I’m needed.”
His chuckle is disbelieving. “Who’s the woman?”
I startle. “What do you mean, who’s the woman?” How does he know about Ellery?
“I mean, this isn’t like you, and when a guy starts changing shit this drastically, there’s usually pussy involved somehow.”
“Jesus Christ, Callahan.”
“Tell me I’m wrong.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Not buying it. Who is she? Does she live near the property? Nothing like being able to roll business and pleasure into one, right?”
“Yeah. Sure. That’s it. I just blew millions so I can be close to a woman. That’s a move out of your playbook. Not mine.” I chuckle. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe I need a change of pace for a bit, and this presented itself so I took it?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Believe me. Don’t believe me. I don’t fucking care.”
“Testy. Jesus. You do need a change of scenery.”
“I’ll be at the office soon. I need to meet with you and Ledge on this. We want to get started ASAP on this project.”
“We?”
“Yeah. We.” I’m not sure why I grin at the thought. “It’s a long story, but I partnered with someone on the purchase, and we went in fifty-fifty on the project.”
“Partnered? I thought we were your partners?”
“You are. This just . . . just go with it. Everything will be fine.”
“Everything will be fine? Jesus. I’m already worried when you say shit like that. That begs me to ask, who’s the partner? What’s his name?”
“Her name is Ellery Sinclair.”
Callahan’s laughter echoes through the connection. “Told you a woman was involved,” he says. “Next thing you’re going to tell me is that she’s ugly.”
“Horribly. A snaggletooth. Disgusting breath. Warts all over her body,” I say in jest, while my mind is filled with the exact opposite. Blonde hair. Blue eyes. A great smile. And a killer body with curves I never noticed that first night because they were hidden by her baggy clothes.
“So there’s no need to worry about you sleeping with her and fucking up your partnership since she’s repulsive, right?”
“Never even crossed my mind,” I lie. “I’ve gotta take this call coming in.”
And just as I’m about to push the button to switch over to my incoming call, I hear him mutter, “Change of scenery, my ass.”