4. Trey
Leaning back in my chair,I rub a hand over the stubble on my chin. “Are you sure you’re alright with handling everything? I feel like I’m leaving you buried in work.”
Isaac nods. “Relax, brother. I’ve got this. I may be taking over as CEO, but we started this company together, and that’s how it’ll stay.”
“I know, but I’ve been coming to work here since we started this company fifteen years ago, and after next week, I won’t be.”
“Just admit you’re going to miss me and get it over with,” Isaac says.
“Like you won’t miss me too?”
“Hey, I didn’t say I wouldn’t. We’ve spent almost every day together since freshman year of college.”
“I guess it’s time for a break,” I joke, but I feel conflicted about leaving this company in my best friend’s hands.
And it’s not because he’s not trustworthy. If he weren’t, we wouldn’t be business partners.
I guess it’s the fear of change and missing out on what I’m used to. This building’s filled with employees we chose together, some of whom have been with us since day one. They’re like family to me, and it’ll be a big adjustment not to see them daily.
I’m about to go to a workplace where I barely know anyone, and everyone who works there was hired by my father or his staff. With the size of the staff involved in running the Coyotes team and organization, even learning who everyone is will be damn near impossible, but I’ll do my best.
“You want to grab dinner in a few?” he asks.
“I’m gonna keep wrapping up loose ends and then I’m meeting someone.”
“A woman?”
“Yes, a woman.”
“Where did you meet her?”
“On Finder.”
“I didn’t think you’d start an account.”
“I wasn’t going to, but I figured it might be good to have some female company when I wanted, without taking time away from Gwen, like having a girlfriend would.”
“Good point. So where are you going?”
“We’re meeting for a drink.”
“Where?” he presses.
“Isaac, I swear to Christ, if you show up, I’ll beat your ass.”
“That wouldn’t make a very good impression on your date.” He smirks.
“Maybe she likes guys who take charge.”
“She better if she’s with you, you controlling asshole.”
I laugh. “Hey, I keep things running smoothly, and now it’ll be your job. You’ll appreciate me more when I’m gone and your workload doubles.”
“Yeah, I’ll need to find a workaround for that,” he says, winking.
“Good luck. Let me know how it works out for you.”
“I’m going to get out of here early while I can. I’ll see you tomorrow, and you can tell me about your date.”
“Like that’ll happen.”
He laughs as he walks toward the door and then pauses on the threshold. “I hope you have a good night, bro. You deserve it.”
“Thanks. I hope so too.” I smile as I think about the picture of Mae in the white bikini and the texts we exchanged last night.
I have a good feeling about tonight.
* * *
I stay at the office longer than I plan and don’t have time to run home after work. Fortunately, I have a bathroom connected to my office, so I brush my teeth, wash up, and reapply deodorant and cologne. I keep a few extra button-down shirts in my closet, so I can swap out the blue one I wore all day for a fresh, clean white one. I skip a tie and roll up my sleeves in favor of a more casual look.
Arriving with ten minutes to spare, I pay the fee at the door and pass through the first-floor nightclub. Flashing lights immediately assault my eyes, and the pounding thump of bass is ear-splittingly loud. I walk straight through and take the elevator up, stepping onto the rooftop deck. Softer music plays in the background; if my ears could, they’d sigh with relief.
I quickly scan the bar area, stopping on a woman with golden hair hanging down to the middle of her back. I can’t see her face from this angle, so I cross the checkerboard-tiled dance floor for a better look. As I approach, I see she’s tapping at her phone screen.
“Mae?”
Her head immediately snaps my way.
I’m stunned when I see the big, beautiful blue eyes her sunglasses hid in her profile picture.
Her berry-colored lips tentatively curve. “James?”
I almost forget my Finder account is under my middle name for a moment, but then I nod. “Yes. It’s nice to meet you.” I shake her hand firmly.
“And you as well.”
The bartender comes over. “Can I get you two anything?”
I gesture for Mae to go first.
“I’d love a Moscow mule, please.”
“And you, sir?” the bartender asks.
“A gin and tonic, please.”
She nods and sets about making our drinks.
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long,” I say, sitting on the barstool beside hers.
She shakes her head. “Not at all. I’m chronically early for everything. I think it’s a genetic defect.”
“Punctuality is a positive thing, especially when it comes to work. I bet your boss loves you.”
She smiles. “Pretty sure he does.”
“What do you do?” I ask.
“I’m an executive assistant. It’s not the most glamorous job, but so far, I love it.”
“You haven’t been there long?”
“No, just since the beginning of the year.”
“What did you do before that?” I ask.
“I was in grad school.” She studies my face for my reaction, but I manage to keep my expression one of interest and not shock or horror. Fuck me. She’s even younger than I imagined. “Are you alarmed by my age?” she asks.
“Alarmed? No. Surprised? Maybe.” I smile.
“In case you’re wondering my exact age, I’m twenty-five.”
“I’m forty-two. Does that bother you?”
She shakes her head. “Not at all.”
The bartender returns, sliding our drinks to us. I hand over my credit card. “Can we start a tab, please?”
Mae and I sip from our drinks until the bartender returns and hands my card back to me.
“Would you like to sit at a table or on one of the couches?” I ask.
“Sure.”
Standing up, I grab my drink, and I’m about to reach for hers too, when I pause. “Do you mind if I carry your drink?”
She gives me an appraising glance. “I don’t mind, but thanks for asking. That’s a first for me.”
I pluck her copper mug from the bar. “I know women can’t be too careful these days.”
Way to make yourself sound like an old man.
“You’re right. We can’t.”
While we walk side by side, it’s all I can do to keep my eyes off her. “Pick wherever you’d like to sit,” I say.
She chooses a small round table next to the railing that runs around the roof’s perimeter, giving us a great vantage point from where we can see nearly the entire city.
Setting our drinks on the table, I pull a chair out for her. “Thank you.” She lowers, sweeping her hands over the back of her skirt before she sits.
“You’re welcome.” I take the seat across from her, and I’m once again dazzled by her bright blue eyes. Not even the evening sky and dim lighting can detract from their stunning appearance.
“I never asked what you do for work,” Mae interrupts my staring.
“My friend and I have a real estate and redevelopment business.”
“That sounds like it could be fun. As long as he’s dependable.”
“He is. We’ve been friends since we were eighteen.”
“That’s impressive. I don’t have any long-term friendships.”
“You might by the time you’re my age,” I say, smiling.
“Maybe. I moved to this area around Christmastime, so I’ve only made a few friends.”
“Where did you go to school?”
“In Virginia.”
“What brought you to Charleston?”
“I have an older brother here. I’m living with him at the moment. But I’m hoping to remedy that soon.”
“Is he your only sibling?”
She shakes her head and smiles. “No, I also have a younger brother who’s in college.”
“Are you all close?”
“Yeah, we are. Don’t get me wrong; sometimes I want to strangle them both. Well, mostly my younger brother. He likes to push my buttons like only a sibling can.”
I laugh. “I have an older brother, so I understand that all too well.”
“My brother’s been great about me staying with him, but he’s got a serious girlfriend now, and I don’t want to be in the way.”
“I bet he likes having you there.”
“I like to think so, but my social life has been almost nonexistent since I arrived, so I’m willing to bet he wouldn’t mind me disappearing for a little while.”
“You’re not home right now,” I point out.
“True.” She smiles, raising her glass toward me. “Cheers to being out.”
“Cheers.” I tap my glass to hers. The ice cubes clink as I sip my drink.
“Have you ever been married?” she asks.
Swallowing another gulp of gin and tonic, I place my glass on the table. “No, I haven’t. But I have a thirteen-year-old daughter.”
Her eyes widen. “Ooh, a teenager. How’s that going?”
I smile. “So far, so good. She’s still sweet, and I hope she’ll stay that way.”
“Do you get along with her mother?”
“Claire and I were never together as a couple. We had a brief interlude, which resulted in our daughter. Claire’s since married a great guy, and they’re having a baby in a few months.”
She sips from her copper mug, then her tongue drags over her pouty bottom lip, removing the leftover moisture. Just watching her makes my dick semi-hard and reminds me of why I’m here.
“How do you feel about going to my house after we finish our drinks?” I ask.
Her eyes flash wider with surprise.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shock you. I have a habit of being direct.”
She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. “No apology needed, and your directness is appreciated. I’m new to this.”
“This being…?” I ask, prompting her to be more specific.
“Finder. Meeting up with a stranger.”
“Okay. Why don’t you tell me what motivated you to download the app.”
“I haven’t had sex in a long time,” she says, laughing.
I smile at her candor. “It’s been longer than I’d like to admit for me too.”
She tips her head, studying my face with skepticism lacing her expression.
“Don’t give me that look. I’m serious.”
She rolls her eyes. “You expect me to believe you’re not getting laid regularly?”
“Between my long hours and my daughter, I don’t have much time for frivolous pursuits. I’ve reached the point where my quiet time is minimal. When I have a moment alone, the last thing I want to do is be around another person.”
“That’s understandable. But if that’s true, why are you here?”
“I miss connecting with a woman. And I’ve been thinking one night would be better than nothing.”
“So, we go back to your place and…” She wiggles her eyebrows.
“That works for me. How do you feel about it?”
She traces a fingertip over the mug’s handle. “I like that plan.”
“Do you want another Moscow mule, or do you want to get out of here now?”
“You’ve barely touched your gin and tonic,” she points out.
I shrug. “I’m not much of a drinker.”
“Me neither, but I will finish every last drop.” She raises her drink and swallows down the remainder. “Here’s to liquid courage,” she says, setting the mug down purposefully.
Standing, I move to pull her chair out as she rises. “I’ll pay the bill, and we can go.”
She reaches into her purse. “Wait, let me give you some money.”
I place my hand on her arm, and her eyes meet mine. “Please, let me take care of it.”
Her lips curve in a soft smile. “Okay. Thank you.”
I close out the bill, sign the receipt, and return to her side. “We’re all set.” Placing my palm in the center of her lower back, I usher her toward the elevator. The ride down seems endless when it only takes a matter of seconds.
When the door opens, I take hold of her hand and squeeze quickly, shouting over the music, “I don’t want to lose you.”
She squeezes back, smiling at me.
As we maneuver through the crowds of people gathering near the bar, I’m unsure which is pounding harder, my heart or the techno beat pumping through the sound system.
Exiting through the front doors, we step outside into the fresh air. The usual city sounds seem quiet compared to the cacophony we left behind.
“Where did you park?” I ask.
Mae points to a small Volkswagen at the edge of the parking lot. “That’s mine.”
Still holding hands, we walk over to the white vehicle. She pulls away, rifling through her purse for her keys. She unlocks the door using the remote, and I tug it open for her. “Thank you,” she says, sliding inside.
“I’m parked farther back in the lot. I’ll meet you back here in a couple of minutes.” She nods, and I close her in. She starts her car, and I head off to find mine. My steps are hurried, as I’m eager to get Mae to myself. She’s a smoke show—a goddess in the flesh. And I’m not letting her slip away.