Chapter 24
Liam
“Gran, we always do the same thing on Thanksgiving. Of course I’m on board.”
We had a traditional dinner, and Gran always cooked a small turkey for the two of us. On rare occasions, my parents were in New York for the holiday too, but so far they hadn’t indicated they’d be in town.
I glanced at the clock on my laptop. The meeting with the lawyer was starting in ten minutes.
“Well, I thought since you’ve got that lovely lady in your life now that you’re going to have other plans on Thanksgiving.”
I tapped my pen against the table, realizing it had completely slipped my mind until now.
I also realized I did want to see Tess on Thanksgiving.
The question was did she want the same? We were spending a lot of time together, but we never planned more than when we’d see each other next. Was this too soon?
“I’d love to have her over for dinner,” Gran continued.
“I’m 100 percent certain that she’s having dinner with her family.”
I didn’t like that, actually. It felt like we were leading separate lives.
“Well, let me know.”
“Are Mom and Dad coming?”
“I don’t know.”
“Okay. We’ll see. I’ll get back to you on this.”
“Fine! But don’t think I’ll give up, young man. I want grandkids someday.”
I laughed, disconnecting the call. Then I actually did something I rarely did and called my Mom. We kept in touch mostly via email because they were always traveling, and sometimes we weren’t in the same time zone.
“Liam, hi!”
“Hi, Mom!”
“Is anything wrong?”
“No, just wanted to check on you and Dad and ask if you’re coming to New York on Thanksgiving.”
“Oh, we won’t make it to the city at all this year. Not even on Christmas. We’ve got these cheap flights to New Zealand and want to take advantage of it.”
“I think Gran would be happy if you two came. For at least one of the two occasions.”
“Oh…well, she has you, right? And she’s told us you’re seeing someone. I’m sure she’ll have her hands full. We really don’t want to miss this opportunity.”
I drummed my fingers on the table, deciding not to press the matter further. Mom took after my grandfather too, always a bit distant, and I accepted that. It usually didn’t bother me, so why did it now? It was their way, and that wasn’t going to change.
Then I realized I was the one who’d changed, and it was all because of Tess.
A knock at the door interrupted me. Becca poked her head in.
“Barney’s here,” she whispered.
“Mom, I’ll talk to you another time. I have to go.”
“Sure.”
I hung up and headed straight to David’s office. I was expecting good news.
That turned out to be nothing more than wishful thinking. For the next hour, our lawyer went from unpleasant scenario to unpleasant scenario, and my mind felt about ready to explode.
“You’re telling us that despite our market valuation, we don’t have enough cash flow to buy that fucker out?” David exclaimed, mirroring my own dismay.
“Not right now. If Albert were to wait four months, you’ll be liquid enough again.”
“And if he doesn’t want to wait?” I pressed.
He pinched his nose, drumming his fingers on the table. “You can still freeze this year’s investment. You have a clause in all contracts that allows you to freeze the investment for six months in extreme circumstances.”
“No,” I answered before he even finished uttering the last word. “That’s completely out of question.”
“It’s an option. That would give you enough cash flow.”
“No, it’s not. Our mentees are putting their trust in us. We’re not going to disappoint them.”
He nodded but shrugged. “I’m afraid this is all I could come up with.”
“Then find me something better, or we’ll be employing another law firm.
” My voice was calm, but I was sure my rage was visible on my face.
This was sloppy work. There was always more than one way to solve a problem, and I wasn’t tolerating anything less than the very best from the people I worked with.
After our lawyer left, David, Becca, and I just looked at each other without saying a word.
“Let’s not talk about any of this tonight,” David finally suggested.
Becca nodded. “I agree. I’m too overwhelmed to actually be of any use right now anyway.”
They both looked at me. If I pushed it, they’d stay for me and brainstorm together. It was a reminder that I was in charge.
“No, let’s call this a day. We all need to cool off first.”
They both rose to their feet before I even finished the sentence.
We all left at the same time. I couldn’t stand being in the office anymore.
I needed to stretch my legs and clear my mind.
Yet all I could do during my walk was mull the lawyer’s advice in my mind.
I wasn’t only in charge; I was also responsible for all those we invested in.
They all trusted me, and I was determined not to let anyone down.
I hadn’t gotten to where I was by playing into anyone’s games.
There was a reason I had a reputation as being ruthless and tough, and Albert was going to be reminded of that.
It wasn’t the first time I was facing a roadblock.
The only difference was that this time I had more people I wanted to protect.
I remembered Tess’s apprehension before signing, how long it took to win her over.
I was afraid she would go back in her shell, and I didn’t want this to drive a wedge between us.
I thought about how I was going to break the news to her as I left the office. Tess was attending a fashion show on the Upper East side, and even though we hadn’t made any plans for tonight, I needed to see her.
I arrived before the show was over and waited in front of the art deco building. Soon, people started filtering out, and it only took me a moment to spot her. She came right toward me.
“Handsome gentleman, you look familiar,” Tess exclaimed, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She looked absolutely breathtaking, though I only caught a glimpse of her red dress before she buttoned up her black coat.
“How so?” I replied, giving in to her game.
She tilted her head, narrowing her eyes playfully. “I’m not sure. Maybe you should remind me.”
I stepped closer, touching her lower lip with my thumb. “When we’re alone.”
She sucked in a breath, kissing my finger. “How come you’re here?”
“To make sure no one kisses you while you wait for a cab.”
She laughed softly, wiggling her eyebrows. “Not even you?”
“I didn’t say that.”
I dragged my thumb from one corner of her mouth to the other.
“Uh-oh,” Tess muttered.
“What?”
“We really should wait until we’re alone for that kiss. You give off dangerous vibes.”
“You know that by the way I’m touching your lips?”
“No, actually, just from the way you’re looking at me.”
“You read me well.”
“I actually wasn’t planning on taking a cab just yet but taking a walk first. Central Park is gorgeous right now. All these fall colors.”
I groaned. “But that means we won’t be alone for some time. How long is that kiss going to have to wait?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Mr. You’re-creative-enough-when-it-comes-to-that. I have complete faith in you.”
We crossed the street, heading to one of the entrances to the park.
“Do we have a destination?” I asked.
“No, I was just going to wander the alleyways.”
I took her hands in mine, looking her straight in the eyes.
“David, Becca, and I had a meeting with the lawyer.”
“What did he say?”
“Nothing good, but I’m going to mull that information over and find something that works for all parties involved.”
“Liam! What did he say? I want to know.” Her eyes were snapping fire. I wanted to protect her from this, but I should have known better.
“He can’t sell to just anyone. If we find the buyer unsuitable, we can veto, but we can only do that a few times or we’ll be accused of not playing fair.”
“Can’t you buy his share?”
“We don’t have enough cash flow at the moment.”
The light went out of Tess’s eyes. That amazing brain of hers already put two and two together.
“But you still have time to freeze the investment you did this year.”
I could practically feel her pull back in her shell. She tried to take her hands away from mine, but I held them firmly. This was exactly what I’d been afraid of. I cared so much about her that I didn’t want to risk anything coming between us.
“Tess, that is not going to happen,” I said with determination. “I’m a man of my word. I would never freeze an investment.”
Her eyes softened a bit. “You don’t have a choice, though.”
“There is always a choice. You just have to be determined enough to find it. I am determined, and I will find it.”
I cupped her face with both hands, caressing her temples with my thumbs. I wanted her to feel that I meant every word.
“There is no scenario in this world in which I’d let anything hurt you, you understand? You hurt, I hurt, and that’s not going to happen, babe.”
She didn’t reply.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” I said. “You have a no-secrets policy, remember?”
She smiled slowly, covering my hands with her palms.
“Too many things.”
“I want to know.”
“I can’t believe you’re willing to go through any trouble…for me.”
“Fucking hell, woman, how can you say that? Don’t you know how much you mean to me?”
A sliver of vulnerability crossed her face. She really didn’t know.
“I’ve done a shit job showing it, then. I’ll up my game.”
A small smile played on her lips. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”
“That goes both ways, Tess.”
“I want you to keep me posted on every step, okay?”
I nodded. She narrowed her eyes.
“I mean it. Not just drip information or tell me enough to keep me from worrying.”
“Why? That’s a perfectly acceptable plan.”
She groaned, smacking my shoulder. “No, it’s not, you stubborn man. I’m not some fragile thing you have to keep in a glass case.”
I tilted my head, considering this. “Actually, that’s another good idea. Or just sending you to the Bahamas on an all-inclusive trip until I fix it.”
She pinched my abs this time. “I mean it. I don’t want you to be looking for solutions on your own. I’m part of this too. And Skye.”
“I know.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Aha. I’m not sure you do. Your grandmother did say you’re a lone wolf.”
“When?”
“While you were fixing the bell. I told her I’ve got this huge family and we’re always in each other’s business, and she said she always hoped you’d get a sibling.”
It was true; I always preferred to do things on my own, but it was just the way I’d grown up, and I liked it.
“What are you thinking about?” Tess asked.
“Many things. Like what I’m going to do to you this evening.”
She sighed. “You’re really great at this wooing thing.”
“It’s more than that, Tess. I don’t want you to ever doubt that you’re important to me. That I’d move mountains to make you happy, keep you safe. Not just now, always. Don’t doubt that.”
“Okay.”
I put an arm around her shoulders as we turned into a very narrow alleyway covered by ivy, which in the city was unusual but charming. There was one other topic I wanted to bring up.
“By the way, Thanksgiving is coming up. I always spend that with my grandmother, and I want you there too.”
Tess elbowed me lightly. “I was hoping to convince you to come to my mom’s place.”
I wanted to pump my fist in the air, feeling victorious that we were on the same page. Our lives were converging in a way I hadn’t planned for, but damn if it didn’t feel amazing. And right.
She bit her lip. “If you want to. I mean…I don’t want you to think I’m pressuring you into meeting my family?—”
“Tess, I want to meet your family. Do I need to pamper you more for you to believe I want to spend as much time with you as possible?”
She grinned. “Well, no. Truthfully, you’re doing a great job, but I’ll never say no to even more pampering.”
Then why do you keep expecting the worst? I wanted to ask, but then I realized that in the grand scheme of things, she’d only known me for a few months. She had years of disappointments.
“So should we go first to your grandmother’s and then to Mom’s?”
I laughed. “Two thanksgiving dinners?”
“Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. And I’ve learned that you don’t upset a chef unless you want to risk an empty stomach.”
“I think there is zero risk of that.”