26. Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Elsie
August 3 — 31 Weeks, Coconut
“ R emind me why I had to stuff myself into this suit again?” Marshall teasingly complains from beside me. “There are plenty of people here in regular dress clothes.”
I look over at Marshall, looking ever so handsome in a dark gray suit that I had my tailor prepare for him. His hair is combed back and, for the first time in my memory, looks neat and styled to perfection.
Marshall’s standard uniform of blue jeans, tight-fitting t-shirts, button-ups at the club, and boots makes me drool on a regular basis. But there will always be something about seeing a man in a suit that takes my breath away.
Tonight, Marshall is no exception.
“Because I’m the host, and my date should follow the dress code I set forth on the invitation,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“Fine, but you owe me.” He pouts with a smirk on his face that tells me I’m likely to enjoy the favor I owe him.
Tonight’s gala is for the philanthropy arm of Crude Coral, which helps fund grants for scientists who are doing research and making conservation efforts into ocean life, specifically coral reef restoration.
Every year, we invite executives from our client list and other notorious philanthropists in the city to join us for an evening at the aquarium for a night of frivolous fun. They spend the night seeing and being seen, and the 501c3 arm of Crude Coral benefits from their generosity.
So far, the evening has gone well, and we’ve raised nearly our entire goal for the event, but there’s still a fair amount of glad-handing to be done before I can call it a night.
“Is that Derek Bonner?” Marshall whispers into my ear in awe.
“Who?” I ask, glancing around the room.
“The biggest guy in the room,” Marshall says, nodding over to the left side of the room where a man has amassed a crowd.
“Oh! Yes. Derek.” I say, waiving at the man in question just as he glances over in our direction. “He’s a friend.”
“You’re friends with one of the best left tackles in the league?” Marshall asks, his jaw agape when I glance up at him.
“Well... kind of. His husband, Emir, is on our board. You never met him when you lived with Gunnar?” I ask with a shrug. “I’ve gotten to know Emir and his husband quite well over the past few years. His and Gunnar’s security firm consults with us on all our projects.”
Marshall is, for once, speechless.
“I’m guessing you’re a fan?” I ask with a chuckle .
“Fan? Fan! Elsie... he’s a queer icon . He was one of the first openly bisexual professional players in the league.” Marshall scoffs. “That man could step on me, and I would say thank you.”
“Ah. A boot-blacking kink. I see how it is.” I giggle.
“Elsie.” He says, pinching me in the side. “He’s genuinely inspiring to so many people, especially young athletes. I have a few guys on my old crew whose kids idolize him.”
“Would you like to meet him?” I ask, glancing over in the direction of the couple, who are now making their way toward where we are standing.
“Oh no,” Marshall says, a slight panic in his voice. “Are they coming over here? And, of course, I look like a penguin.”
I laugh, and several heads whip in our direction, shock on their faces.
“Elsie.” A thick Turkish accent permeates the space between me and Emir. “Lovely to see you, dear.”
“Emir.” I smile. “Thank you for coming. Derek, it’s good to see you again.”
“You as well.” The massive man says. “And congratulations! We didn’t know you were expecting.”
“Thank you. I haven’t really been advertising it anywhere, but I’m very excited.” I reply sweetly.
“And who is this,” Derek asks.
“This is my...” I trail off, and Marshall gives me a wide-eyed look before gathering himself and saving me from my blunder.
“Marshall. Marshall Law.” He says before I can make a total fool of myself. “I’m the arm candy tonight.”
Both the other men let out deep chuckles.
“I like your humor, man,” Derek says with a smile and an extended hand to Marshall. “Derek. ”
“Nice to meet you,” Marshall says, a bit of awe still in his voice.
Emir chuckles again at the exchange before introducing himself to Marshall.
“Well, any friend of Elsie’s is a friend of ours,” Derek says with a genuine smile. “She’s been a wonderful friend to both of us. I’m very grateful to know her.”
“He’s only saying that because I told him where to get delicious cheap margaritas.” I giggle, smiling widely at my friends.
“And strong ones at that,” Emir replies, offering a smile back to me in return. “Elsie, may I borrow you for a minute? Business.”
“I think Marshall and I are capable of entertaining ourselves for a while,” Derek says, causing Marshall to light up at the opportunity to talk to one of his idols.
“Yeah. Y’all go talk numbers or whatever.” Marshall says, beaming.
Emir leads me to the side in one of the alcoves so we can speak more privately.
“I’ve heard concerns about one of your current projects, Elsie.” He starts, his face stern and serious now. “Whispers have gotten to me about one of the clients you’ve been courting, and it doesn’t sound like they’re happy.”
“What?” I ask, trying to control my expression.
“There’s been a few board members who have raised concerns about your performance as of late.” He glances between Marshall and down at my belly. “I’m guessing Marshall is the father?”
“Yes.”
“As your friend, I can honestly say I’m thrilled for you. But as your advisor, I think there are those who are conspiring against you right now. Those who are questioning your capability to lead and would like to see you replaced.” He says cautiously .
“What would you suggest then,” I ask, turning all business once again.
“I think you need to arrange a meeting with the client the board is concerned with to set up a trip to their site.” He says, very straightforward, before glancing down at my baby bump. “I understand that circumstances may not be ideal, but I think this is the best solution.”
“Okay,” I say, my mind already frantically searching for a solution to everything. Then terror indeed strikes in my chest. “Emir, I made a promise to Marshall, though, that I wouldn’t travel.”
He can’t hide his grimace quite quickly enough to keep me from panicking.
“I can’t...” I say, my breath starting to shorten. “It would devastate him if I went back on my word.”
“I’m sorry,” Emir says softly. “I don’t see a way around it. You are the face of this business. It has to be you.”
“Okay. Okay.” I say, my hand flying to my belly when I feel a kick, likely spurred on by my heightened blood pressure. “I’ll figure it out. It will be fine.”
“You’re sure?” He asks with genuine concern.
“Yeah. It has to be.” I say, my resolve solidifying.
“We should get back before people start asking questions,” Emir says, glancing around the room.
“Yes. Right.” I nod. “Just give me a minute, please.”
“Of course.” He replies, giving my shoulder a quick squeeze. “You look lovely, by the way. Absolutely luminescent. And I like your new man.”
“He’s quite a character.” I chuckle .
Emir gives me a small smile before going to retrieve his spouse, which leaves Marshall free to wander over to me with a concerned look on his face.
“Everything alright?” He asks when he’s only a step away.
He reaches for my hand, and I let him take it with a squeeze. The small gesture calms my racing heartbeat just a bit, but the panic of knowing my company is in jeopardy doesn’t dissipate.
With Marshall’s hand already in mine, I give him a slight tug and start walking out of the room we’re in.
I just need a minute alone. A minute to gather myself and think. A minute to find a solution to this new problem.
Marshall, thankfully, follows me along without protest.
We walk down a hallway, and I try doors as I go, searching for one that’s unlocked.
Finally, one of the handles gives, and I pull Marshall into the room. It opens into an empty coat room.
“Everything okay, Elsie?” Marshall asks, genuine concern in his voice.
“Yes.” I pause, catching myself. “No. I need...”
My mind is moving a million miles a minute. I need something, but I can’t tell what. Nothing makes sense.
“Elsie,” Marshall says, cupping my face in his hands to get me to look at him. “Tell me what you need.”
“I need... I don’t know what I need.” I say, exasperated. “I need....”
I look at the man before me, a man I want desperately, a man I know I can quickly lose myself in a moment of pleasure with.
“I need you.”