Chapter 13
GINNY
“Her appendix almost burst! That’s the word they used, Harry. Burst!”
“I know. But it didn’t. She’s in the hospital, and she’s going to be fine,” I say in a calm, even tone.
Graham is understandably worked up, and it’s sweet on one hand. But on the other hand, he needs to calm down, or someone is going to need to go bail him out when hospital security is called about the guy harassing the nurses in the OR waiting room.
He took Margot to the emergency room even though she told him she was fine, and it was just an upset stomach. He did the right thing. He saved her from this being much worse. As I told him the second time he called me. This is the fourth phone call.
“That would have made her septic,” he says, his tone full of horror. “That’s life-threatening.”
I suppose it’s good for him to process all of this now that she’s out of surgery and completely fine, but…wow.
“But instead, her amazing boyfriend took her to the hospital in time to avoid all of that and now she’s going to be fine,” I say trying to focus my brother on the important things.
“Appendectomy is a very routine surgery. They do thousands of them every year in the US.” I’ve also told him this on prior calls, having looked up the actual statistics for him, but it bears repeating.
“It’s one of the most frequent emergency surgeries. ”
“I know,” Graham says. “But I can’t believe I haven’t proposed to her yet. That I haven’t married this girl yet. I’m going to correct that immediately.”
I step off the elevator and pause on the eighteenth floor of the hotel. “What do you mean immediately? You’re going to elope?”
“Maybe. All of this made me realize how much I fucking love her. I can’t live without her.”
Graham’s very rattled, so I decide not to point out that being married wouldn’t have kept this from happening.
I want them to get married, so why say anything to dissuade him from that idea?
They haven’t been dating long, but they’ve known each other their whole lives.
I see nothing wrong with them walking down the aisle as soon as possible.
“You can get married right away,” I tell him, starting toward my room. “But do not elope! We all want to be there, and Mom will kill you.”
He huffs out a breath. “I know. I wouldn’t do that. Margot’s dad would kill me, too.”
“It’s Valentine’s Day,” I remind him. “Just because you couldn’t make this trip to New York, doesn’t mean you can’t tell her you want to plan a wedding.
You guys could get married this summer. That’s only a couple of months away, but Sapphire Falls and our families could definitely put a wedding together in that short amount of time. ”
“Seriously, thank you for stepping in on this trip,” he says.
“Don’t be silly. This is my job now. I’m happy to help.”
Margot had not been feeling well yesterday, but her symptoms had gotten significantly worse overnight and early this morning.
They had been planning to come to New York City for a meeting with potential investors for IES and to then make a romantic weekend of it, since today is, in fact, Valentine’s Day.
Graham is lucky that Margot doesn’t mind him combining business with their romantic getaway.
He definitely made up for the fact that the first thing he had to do once he got to the city was meet with Gage and Connor Albright, the brothers who will hopefully be investing a large sum in IES after this meeting.
I stop in front of the door and wave my key card, pushing it open when I hear the little electronic click. When I step across the threshold, I say, “Oh, I’m not going to tell Margot what she’s missing out on. The room is spectacular, Graham.”
We’d had to make some adjustments to the flight details, but I had simply taken over their hotel reservation, and I am now booked into a suite decorated for a happily in love couple on Valentine’s Day.
Pretty much every cliché is represented. There is an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne, a silver tray of chocolate-covered strawberries, rose petals spread across the white duvet in the bedroom, and a basket full of bath products, including bubbles for the gigantic Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom.
Additionally, there are two fluffy white robes and slippers, an extensive room-service menu laid out on the coffee table, and vases of roses everywhere.
“Is it nice?” Graham asks.
“You did a great job,” I tell him. “I won’t tell her a thing about it, so you can do the same thing next year.”
“Well, enjoy it all. I don’t want it to go to waste,” he says. “Even if you’re doing it alone.”
I feel a little prick of sadness.
Alone.
I have spent Valentine’s Day alone before, though it’s been a little while.
But I’m not sad about being alone. I’m sad because I’m thinking of Everett and how much I would like to be spending this holiday with him.
Maybe it’s because he’s been a part of the last few major holidays—Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
I was sad on New Year’s Eve without him, too. I don’t like this new pattern.
But it was my decision, and he has been wonderful about respecting that and supporting that decision.
Maybe in time, I will get over missing him. In time, we can be friends and coworkers. Or maybe in time I will feel like I’ve done an excellent job for IES, but I’m ready to move onto something else.
If Everett wasn’t my boss, I would happily date him.
If I was working for another company, I could do that.
And stupidly, I’ve been thinking about that more and more.
But I don’t want to leave this job yet. Not only because I shouldn’t be making professional decisions based on my heart, but because I really love the plans IES has for this next year.
It’s a challenge to work with ten different farms and ensure they share our vision and stay passionate about the project, but it’s doable.
We can all have everything we’re hoping for.
We just need to keep our eyes on the prize.
I hate that I’m waffling a little already because I met some guy.
Sure, he’s an amazing guy, but hell, I thought Stephen, my ex-boyfriend, was amazing at one time. I don’t think I fully trust my own judgment on that. Better to bank on the business I fully understand and trust.
“Give Margot my love,” I tell Graham. “And relax. She’s going to be fine.
You were there for her, and now you’re going to help her get back on her feet.
Today is really just another day. You guys can celebrate Valentine’s Day there in Sapphire Falls.
The important thing is being together. And don’t worry about this business meeting. I’ve got it handled.”
“Thank you. Honestly, it is so great to have you on the team. I’m not worried about the meeting at all.”
I feel a warmth in my chest. This is really all I need. I just want to be acknowledged and appreciated for my skills. That is a huge sign that I’m making the right decision.
“I’ll report in after I meet with them. And thanks again for the fantastic room.” I cross to the window. “The view is amazing.”
He groans. “Stop rubbing it in.”
Laughing, we disconnect. I kick off my shoes and head into the bedroom to unpack and make sure what I want to wear to the meeting in an hour is ready to go.
This job is made easier because my brother and Everett have enough money to pay for a private car to pick me up and take me to the meeting, so I don’t have to worry about calling a cab or figuring out how to get there on my own.
I change, run a straightener through my hair, touch up my makeup, and I’ve just pulled on my second boot when I hear a knock on the door.
I zip it up as I check the time, then remind myself that the driver wouldn’t be coming up to my door anyway.
Maybe Graham had some other surprise delivery for Margot planned.
Poor Margot.
I cross to the door and pull it open with a bright smile.
That dies immediately.
The breath leaves my lungs, and my heart turns over in my chest.
He came to New York for Valentine’s Day to be with you.
He planned this. He wanted me to fill in for Graham so we could be together today.
I don’t have time to realize those thoughts are ridiculous before Everett frowns and asks, “What the hell are you doing here?”
Or maybe Graham completely forgot to mention that Everett would also be at this meeting.
He clearly also failed to inform Everett that I was taking his place.
I sigh.
This means I am now stuck in New York City, with the man I am crazy about, the man I should be avoiding, on the day made for love and couples and romance.