Chapter 16 #3
I decide it’s time for me to chime in. “Me too! I’m in love with Everett, too.
And I wish we could tell you this in person, but we’re crazy about each other.
We’ve actually been trying to fight it.” I glance at Everett.
“I mean, I have. The whole boss thing. But I haven’t been able to get over him. ”
There is a snort on Graham’s end of the phone. “The boss thing?” he asks. “I mean, I guess Everett is technically your boss, but…not really. It’s not like he could fire you or make things weird.”
I look at Everett and roll my eyes. “Well, that might be kind of true. It’s maybe not quite the same issue with him that it’s been in the past. But..." I swallow. "That’s why we’re calling to tell you right at this very moment today.”
“I don’t understand. I mean, I love knowing this. I’m really happy for you guys. Thrilled, the more I think about it. You’re both great. What’s the problem?”
I knew he’d be great with this, but hearing my brother say he’s happy I’m with his best friend makes me feel lighter, and warmth spreads from my stomach up through my chest.
Then Everett says, “The Albrights think it could be a problem.”
And there it is. The fact that my personal life is still messing up my professional life.
“How?” Graham asks. “I don’t get how it’s their business anyway.”
“Well, they’re very conservative and family-oriented.
Last night, when they asked if Ginny and I were together, we said no.
We were trying hard to keep it professional.
Then things happened, and then finding her here this morning, clearly in a not professional capacity, made them think we lied to them. ”
“Oh.” Graham pauses. “Well, it’s still not their business.”
“That may be,” I say. “But they’re worried that this could be problematic for our families. That things could get complicated, and feelings could get involved, and they need to hear from you that you know about it and you’re fine with it.”
“Well, you can definitely tell them I give you my blessing.”
“They need to hear it from you,” I tell him.
“Okay. I’ll give them a call right now.”
“Thank you, Graham.”
“Actually, I’ve been thinking about it,” Everett interjects. “I think you need to come here.”
I look at him in surprise.
He goes on. “I think you and Margot both need to come. If you’re up to it, Margot.
You need to meet with them in person. Show them that you’re really fine with us together.
And with Margot here too, we can show them that we’re totally solid, put the family-oriented thing on full display.
And that we’re all on the same page and completely on track with what we told them. ”
I think that over and realize he has a point.
In person is always better than on the phone, and Margot and Graham are amazing.
Not only are they very much in love, but they’ve known each other forever.
If the Albrights really like roots and solid foundations, Margot and Graham are the epitome of that.
Hell, we all are.
“That’s perfect,” Margot says. “Not only are you Graham’s best friend, but Ginny and I are long-time best friends too. We’ll drown them in long-term, meaningful relationships.”
I nod. “They’ll have no choice but to trust that we’re in this for the long haul. That things like arguments and disagreements won’t get in the way of the company and our long-term stability.”
Everett is nodding. “It definitely can’t hurt and I think it will actually really help.” He looks at me as he adds, “And I’m also going to call Sofia and ask her to come.”
Surprise rocks through me. “Sofia?” I asked. “Why?”
“She can talk to them from the farmer and client side. Graham and Margaret can help us convince them from the family side. Reassure them that we’re all solid.
Graham and I can talk from the business side.
Prove that we are absolutely worth investing in.
But the missing side of that triangle is the client side.
The Albrights want to put their money and family name behind things that really matter, things people are going to care about, and that’re going to make an impact on the world.
Sofia can sell that to them. She can talk about what our company is doing to help her family and their community.
She can talk about what it means to them to be working with us. ”
That all sounds really good, but for some reason, it’s rubbing me the wrong way.
It doesn’t take a psychologist to figure out what that is.
Sofia is amazing. And beautiful. And has a thing for Everett.
“What about Jack?” I ask. “He can do the same thing. He’s from Sapphire Falls. He can further talk about how stable our family is, how much we contribute to our community, and how long he’s known all of us. That’s just further icing on top of that cake.”
Everett nods. “I thought of that. And Jack would actually be perfect. But he’s a single dad of three girls.
Asking him to just pack up and fly to New York last minute is a lot more difficult than asking Sofia.
” Everett squeezes me before he says, “And Sofia is incredibly charming. I really think she’ll be able to soften the Albrights up and sell this.
Jack’s great but he doesn’t have that… sparkle. ”
I can’t help but frown and stiffen at that. I believe that Everett loves me. I’m not worried about Sofia and him but hearing him describe the gorgeous other woman as charming and with sparkle doesn’t thrill me.
And it’s not because I worry about Everett’s feelings.
It’s because he’s right.
She’s going to sell this to the Albrights. She’s going to save the day.
Which means…they don’t need me and my fucking sparkle.
He obviously feels how stiff I get and tries to squeeze me again, but I wiggle out of his arms.
“That’s a great idea,” my brother says, oblivious to how I’m feeling.
“I’m sure Sofia will be happy to help,” I say.
“I’m sure she will,” Everett agrees, watching me closely.
“Great, we’ll pack then,” Margot says.
“I’ll send the plane,” Everett tells them.
“You guys, I’m so sorry to dump this in your lap,” I say to Margot and Graham, meaning it. If I had just been able to keep my pants on, we wouldn’t be scrambling to get everyone here in a dramatic attempt to save our biggest investment.
“No worries. You know I love New York,” Margot says.
“And I know you just had surgery,” I say.
Everett grimaces. “Are you sure you can do this?” he asks Margot.
“Of course. We’re flying on a private plane. It’s not like you’re asking me to do manual labor. It’s fine. And this is important.”
We all say goodbye for now and disconnect.
Everett follows me when I pace into the bedroom.
“You’re upset.”
I turn to face him and decide to be perfectly honest. “Yes. But not for the reasons that you think.”
“I think it’s because I’m asking Sofia to join us in New York.”
“Well…yes. But it’s because that’s a fantastic solution,” I say, crossing my arms.
He frowns. “I’m confused.”
I sigh. “I know. But the thing is…you’re right. Sofia is a great person to come in and help out. She’ll be able to help save this and…well, you don’t need me.”
He steps forward, grasping my upper arms. “I love you. Of course I need you.”
I shake my head quickly. “I don’t mean like that. I know you do. You don’t need me to convince the Albrights to invest. You don’t need me to…” I sigh. “Do my job.”
He rubs his hands up and down my arms. “Of course we do.”
“No. I did my job yesterday. I don’t have anything to add to what I’ve already said to them.
Not about IES, and not about us. They know everything they need to know from me.
Now it’s up to Graham, Margot, and Sofia.
And I do think they can save this. But…you don’t need me.
” I smile up at him, but I know it’s sad. “In fact, I might make it worse.”
He lifts a brow. “And what about me?”
I shrug. “You too, maybe. But you’re the money guy. No one else can do what you do.”
He gives me a strange look, but then says, “The same for you, Ginger. We need you.”
“Sofia can do it, Everett. She knows the business, she’s passionate about it, and she can explain it as well as I do.” I put my hand on his chest. “And…there’s no conflict of interest.”
He covers my hand. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying…” I’m not ready to quit. But I need to think about it. The Albrights might be an anomaly. They might be overreacting. If Everett and I are together and we’re upfront about it, then this might not be a problem in the future with other clients.
But there’s one way to be sure.
If I have to choose between Everett and IES, I’ll choose Everett.
Every time.
“I think I need to go back to Sapphire Falls and let Margot, Graham, and Sofia handle this,” I say. “And maybe you need to not be there either. They’ve heard from us. Let’s let the rest of the team do their thing.”
He studies me for a long moment. He cups my cheek. “Are you sure?”
“I am.”
“I can’t come to Sapphire Falls with you. I have a…thing…in Denver tomorrow. I can’t miss it.” He looks pained.
But I can’t expect him to come with me. He didn’t know what was going to happen last night. He didn’t even know I was going to be here in New York until he saw me yesterday. Of course, he has other things scheduled.
“It’s fine. Of course. Go back to Denver. We’ll…make a plan. I can come there. Or you can come to Nebraska later.”
He smiles. “You coming to Denver would have its advantages. Like your parents not sleeping right down the hall.”
I smile and lean into his kiss.
But inwardly, I sigh.
I’m choosing a man over my career.
Dammit.
It’s a good thing he’s absolutely amazing and worth it. Because I’m probably going to be working at my mom’s bakery for the rest of my life.