Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Charlie
Hope was everything I'd ever wanted in a woman, but my mind was spinning. I was falling for her hard, and that was a problem. We headed into the limo, but my head was spinning.
Business and pleasure were never supposed to mix.
Pedar never actually said that, but then he was more like to say, "A man is never truly able to succeed without a wife at his side.
" And I'd never been sure a wife would fix me, since I hated looking at myself to see character flaws. Now I wasn’t sure how Hope and I fit because my feelings for her were different from those I had for any other woman.
The limo stopped a few blocks away, and we stepped out.
I needed to get my head out of my doubts and focus.
We’d agreed to start a business—except I wasn’t my brother, who was good with small details.
And Hope’s skills were more in line with creative advertising.
So we had a huge problem area in skills.
As we walked in, Kir was standing at the bar, and Hope's friends were at a corner table by the window. I tapped his shoulder. I wasn’t worried about proving a relationship anymore and wanted to just see my brother. “Kir, you know Hope.”
Hope smiled at him and waved. “Hello again.”
We walked to her friends' table. Staff set up an extra seat as I told Kir, “These are her friends, Britney, Avril, Kelly, Isabel, and Miley. Everyone, this is my brother Kir.”
The women all said hello as we took our seats. As Kir sat between Britney and Kelly, he said, “Thanks for letting me crash your night.”
I needed to know my plans were viable, and Kir was always good with crunching details so I wouldn’t entirely embarrass our family. Maybe it wasn’t a big deal to Kir. But because I was adopted, I had extra responsibility to ensure whatever I did was successful.
Britney took control of the conversation and told Kir, “Are you joking? You’re exactly who we want to meet when we go out.”
Kir gazed at Avril, the thin blonde, then back at everyone. “I don’t get out much.”
Isabel asked, “Working away?”
We perused the menu then ordered some snacks for the table and a round for everyone. I stared at my brother, wishing my personality were more like his, because then I wouldn’t entirely fail.
Kir told Britney, “I guess, but I’m trying to make a change.”
Britney gazed pointedly at Avril. “That’s good.”
Kelly sat forward. “So Avril is being super quiet right now.”
Kir looked down, and she did at the same time.
Britney laughed as the waiter brought the snacks and drinks. Once we had everything, she patted his shoulder. “And Kir has looked at her more than once, and it’s okay. We all know she’s pretty.”
“You all are,” Kir said quickly, but his blush was obvious.
I called out to my brother, “Thanks for being a good sport tonight.”
“No problem.” He sipped his drink. “Now that we’re out, I’d love to know why you quit today, since you were happy and not just looking to escape.”
Her friends' eyes were all huge as they stared at us. Britney asked, “You did?”
The heat was on me for the moment. I held Hope’s hand under the table. “Well, I’m going to start my own business.”
Kir asked, “An airline?”
I tilted my head. “How did you guess?”
He sat back and nodded. “I’ve been able to read you since we were kids. It’s a good idea, and I was wondering if you’d need a partner.”
My heart thumped. Now working with my brother made perfect sense. My eyes widened. “Wait, what?”
Kir placed his hands on the table. “Warren can run Pedar’s company, and while I don’t have big ideas, I can organize and run things.”
“You’d believe in me that much?”
“I’ve been waiting for you to come up with the big plan for years, like when you organized the escape at summer camp.”
Our parents had decided one summer to stick us in boys' camp when we were thirteen. The girls were across the lake, and I’d been determined to escape and meet some girls.
Kir had recruited a few others to make a team to get across the lake for one glorious night.
I’d had the dream, but Kir had done the work, even then.
“Are we witnessing the birth of an airline, and do we all get free perks to fly anytime?” Britney asked.
Kir laughed.
Hope was tense next to me. I pushed my seat back. “Can I talk to Hope?”
Kir said, “Of course.”
Her friends all smiled at her, but we walked away from the table. I needed her on board. Our company was stronger with Kir on board, though.
Hope held her waist. “So, what do you think?”
I sucked in my breath and took her hand. “He’s probably the best idea I can think of as a partner.”
“Did you invite him here to just spring the idea on me again?”
“Not exactly.”
Her face crumpled, but then she blinked and met my gaze. “Can I ask why you think bringing him into the plan is a good idea?”
His being there also meant I wouldn’t distract myself and constantly take her back to the bedroom.
I told her, “He’s brilliant at seeing details.
When Gerard started his oil business, Kir helped out a lot with forming the details because he could create a full blueprint of what needed to be done and on a schedule.
Besides, I trust him, and this way, we all focus on what we’re good at. ”
Her expression seemed hollow. I couldn’t explain it, but it was there as she said, “Then I’ll handle advertising.”
My heart twisted. “You’re still in as a partner, Hope.”
Her eyes widened. “I am?”
I kissed her forehead then heard our table cheering. So I hugged her. “I need you both.”
“Okay,” she said, though her face was pinched as she took my hand.
As we returned to the table, I told Kir, “So, I’d love to have you on the team.”
Kir nodded. “I’ll tell Pedar and Warren in the morning. Then I’ll work on getting us the capital funding we’ll need.”
Hope looked at both of us. “Funding?”
Kir nodded. “We’re not using our trust funds.”
“Why not?”
Kir stared at me like I was crazy. “Why take the risk when I can build equity from investors?”
I nodded.
“I’ll get the prospective started," he said.
Her friends all drank. I wasn’t sure what to say. I wasn’t sure what Hope and I even were right now, but I sat back. “Girls, I think Kir needs to relax first.”
Britney said, “We’re waiting for him to take Avril to the dance floor.”
April’s blush was bright red.
Kir pushed his chair back. “Would you want?”
She stood all tense. “Sure.”
Britney asked us, “So, you two are okay taking on a sudden partner in a business none of us knew about?”
Hope’s face was pink, and she was quiet.
I gazed at her friend. “We just decided like an hour ago. Kir’s perceptive.”
Kelly said, “Well, if he and Avril continue making googly eyes like that, we’re all going to be sick.”
Miley mostly watched like she was analyzing all of us, and I avoided her perusal.
Isabel shook her head. “Don’t discourage her.”
Britney laughed. “Oh, we won’t. Trillionaires don’t seem to grow on trees, usually.”
Hope snacked on the stuffed mushroom, and when she finished, she said, “Britney, you’re funny. We both know you’d hate a guy with an opinion that’s different from yours.”
Britney looked at me. “You're funny. Good night, kids. We’ll keep your brother, but go.”
Hope looked at me, and I pushed my chair back. She jumped up, and I said, “Night, everyone.”
She hugged her friends goodbye, and a few minutes later, we were on the street, where it was quieter. Hope shook her finger at the limo line then said, “Let’s walk back. It’s not far.”
“Sounds good.”
If she was upset with me, I needed to try to fix it.