Chapter 16 #2
“I apologize. Perhaps we should have told you that there was a history between us. And current feelings. But we truly didn’t mean to lie to you about anything. Everett and my relationship will not, in any way, negatively affect you and your company.”
“But it could if it affects you and your company,” Connor says.
I frown. “I don’t follow.”
“If it becomes an issue between you and Graham that you and Everett are involved, or you and Everett break up, it could affect IES. Which will affect us.”
I take a deep, calming breath—at least it’s supposed to be calming, but I’m not sure it works because my heart is still pounding and my throat feels tight.
“We are all grown adults,” I say. “And true professionals. We will not let that happen. Of course, we can also include something in the contract to make you feel better, if you prefer.”
“It’s not about contracts,” Gage snaps. “It’s about integrity. About who you all are. It’s about trusting you.”
I like it when people are straightforward, and I don’t have to worry about what they’re thinking and feeling. Gage Albright is definitely not someone I have to guess with.
“It would reassure us to know that Graham is aware of your relationship,” Connor says.
Well, I can’t lie to them anymore. “Graham is not aware of it. But we will be telling him, and I don’t expect him to be upset or have any issues. He loves Everett like a brother. He and I are very close, and he trusts my judgment.”
Okay, I’ve made some bad choices with men in my past, but Graham has never said that to me or even tried to give me advice.
Connor gives me a single nod, but then also steps back from the doorway. “Once you tell Graham about your relationship and we’re able to speak with him and be reassured that everything is solid with IES, we will consider going forward.”
My eyes widen. “You’re not going to sign the contracts until I’ve told my brother about my relationship with Everett?”
Gage nods. “We have been in business with our family for years. We like that. We value it highly. It was something that drew us to IES and IAS. But we understand it can be complicated. It’s emotional, no matter how you try to keep feelings out of it.
We have always operated with the utmost honesty, transparency, and integrity.
Our family and business are intimately intertwined.
We need to know that everything is solid on your end before we proceed. ”
Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I don’t expect this to be a problem with Graham. But this is a wrench in our situation with the Albrights. We need these contracts. We need their money. And obviously, to get both of those things, we need their full trust. Which has now been shaken.
“Why don’t you come in? Everett will be right back, and we can talk this out.”
Connor tucks the manila envelope he’s been holding back into the leather satchel he’s carrying.
“I don’t think so.”
Now I really start to panic. “Leave the contracts. We can review them and come to your office later today.”
“We don’t intend to work today beyond this. We have family obligations,” Gage says, emphasizing the word family.
“If you would just—”
“Good day, Miss Riley.”
“But I want to fix this.”
Connor lifts a shoulder. “And we told you how to do that. We look forward to hearing from your brother.”
They stride down the hall and press the elevator button.
I simply watch them go. I don’t know what else to say.
Strangely, even as my heart pounds in my chest and adrenaline makes my palms tingle and sweat, I understand where they’re coming from.
I don’t think Graham will have a problem, but they don’t know that. Not until Graham tells them that. Fair enough.
But I might have a problem. With me.
My fucking personal life and professional life are colliding again and causing problems.
When will I ever learn? I have to stop falling for and sleeping with the people that I work with.
The elevator doors swish shut, and before I can even turn and shut the hotel room door, the second elevator opens, and Everett steps off.
He looks amazing. He’s smiling widely, carrying two huge coffee cups.
Hot man who loves me with coffee? That’s fantasy material right there.
And now I want to cry.
He spots me in the doorway and clearly reads that I’m upset.
He frowns and hurries forward. “Ginger? What’s going on?”
“The Albrights just stopped by. And found me here half naked in your hotel room.”
“Oh. Damn.”
I take the two coffee cups from his hands. “They’re worried that our relationship is going to cause a problem with Graham and that the company is going to fall apart. They want us to tell Graham about our relationship and then he has to call and reassure them.”
“But—”
I nudge him toward the elevator. “Go after them. See if you can say anything to make them feel better about this.”
He does just that, turning on his heel and heading straight to the elevator without another word.
I know his mind is spinning and he’ll have a plan by the time he hits the lobby.
But there’s a chance that he won’t be able to catch them, especially if they have a car waiting at the curb. It’s still worth a try.
Five minutes later, he’s back in our room.
He didn’t catch them.
But now I’m at least dressed in more than a robe, and I’ve got half a cup of coffee in my system.
He runs a hand through his hair as I hand his cup over again. “Okay, tell me what happened.”
I fill him in on the conversation, including my decision to tell the Albrights our whole situation, even though we don’t really owe them that.
“They’re so focused on family and stability, I just thought…” I sigh. “I just wanted to try to make it better.”
“It’s fine.” He shakes his head. “It’s your story to tell, Ginny. I mean, it’s partly your story, and I certainly don’t mind the entire world knowing we’re together.”
I smile even though my chest tightens quickly at the “we’re together”. That’s what’s causing this fucking problem. Again.
“Well, my telling them didn’t help. They want to hear from Graham.”
“Then we need to tell Graham,” he says, pulling his phone out. “We need to anyway.”
I nod. “We do. I hate that we’re going to do it over the phone.”
Everett smiles and takes my hand, tugging me toward the couch in the living area. “He won’t mind.”
No, he won’t. Graham is very easygoing and it won’t occur to him that this is something that warrants a sit-down, face-to-face conversation.
Everett sinks onto the couch and pulls me into his lap as he taps the button to call Graham.
My brother answers almost immediately.
“Everett! I didn’t know if I would hear from you today. You suck at answering your phone lately.”
My heart flips over in my chest at the sound of my brother’s voice. He’s not going to have a problem with this, but he is going to be surprised.
“Yeah, about that, I need to tell you why I’ve been hard to reach,” Everett says, launching right in.
We didn’t discuss this. We haven’t talked out what we’re going to say or how we’re going to break this to Graham.
But I realize as Graham chuckles and says, “Oh, I’m sure it’s a great excuse,” that we don’t need to.
This is Graham. He knows and loves us both. We just need to tell him. We’re his best friend and his sister. We know how to talk to him.
“Hi, Graham. I’m here too,” I say.
“Hey, Harry.” There is zero surprise in Graham’s voice at hearing from me too. “Great job on the meeting last night. The Albrights were thrilled.”
That makes my stomach clench. They are definitely not thrilled now.
“Yes, it went well.” I pause. “Until this morning.”
“This morning?” Graham asks. “I talked with them just a couple of hours ago. They had the contract drawn up and wanted to come see you. Did that not happen? I sent them to your hotel room. I hope that was okay, Everett.”
“Yes, they stopped by,” Everett says. “That… meeting didn’t go quite as expected.”
“Why? What happened?”
Everett and I share a look, and I give him a little nod. Graham knows I’m here, but I think Everett should be the one who tells him about our relationship. I feel him take a deep breath and his arm tightens around me.
“They found Ginny here. In my room.”
“Okay,” Graham says.
“In only a robe. Because she spent the night. With me.”
There’s a long pause on the other end of the call.
I look at Everett. He’s staring at the phone.
“You and Ginny?” Graham finally asks. “You spent the night together?”
“Yes.”
There’s another long pause. Then Graham says, “Yeah. That makes sense. I can see that.”
Everett and I exchange raised eyebrows and a smile. “Yeah?” I ask.
“For sure. You always get along great when he’s in Sapphire Falls.” He pauses again. “Yeah. I definitely see it. So…cool. Is this…a thing then? I assume so since you’re telling me about it?”
“It’s definitely a thing,” Everett says, firmly. “And, you should know, last night was not the first time.”
“Not the first time?” Graham repeats. “On this trip? I don’t really need all the details.”
I grab my phone off the coffee table and quickly text Margot.
Me: are you with Graham?
Margot: I’m in the living room. He’s in the kitchen.
Me: We’re telling him right now about me and Everett.
Margot: *wide eyes emoji* *heart eyes emoji* *celebration emoji*
Me: you might need to go in there.
Margot: on it.
“Ginny was the woman I met at the bar in Denver on Halloween,” Everett says.
There’s a pause, then Graham says, “The one you were so crazy about? The one you haven’t been able to stop thinking about? The reason that you haven’t been dating at all since then?”
I smile despite the situation.
Everett squeezes me again. “Yes. We met that night before we knew who each other was. But since then, we’ve gotten to know each other better. And, Graham, I’m madly in love with your sister.”