Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
GATSBY
I ’m over this conference and it’s only day one.
How am I supposed to survive until Friday?
All I want is to head to Paradise Bay and focus on the vineyard.
Today is one of those days when I understand my father even more.
He owned a company that he liked, but he also had a passion—his grapes.
Maybe that’s what I need to find, a dream.
Something completely different from what I do for Global GAAM—an outlet.
Though it’s a good idea, I can’t make it happen in the immediate future.
What I can do is leave this circus. I need to retreat and recharge. I can’t continue shaking hands with strangers, exchanging platitudes, and pretending that I’m okay—I’m not.
There are so many things I need to solve immediately.
After that…well, I wish I could board my jet and head home.
I could use some time on the roof with my brothers.
I’ll even go to the vineyard to work for Lysander.
I wish my family was close by or… “Great presentation, Mr. Spearman,” someone says, bringing me back to conference room A, where I just spoke about the future of CRM.
“Thank you.” I throw out another fake smile. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go to the next room.”
I push my way through the crowd, waving at those who call after me but never stopping.
As I make my way through the main entrance, I pull out my phone, hoping there’s an email from Loretta, the head of the PR department, with some news about Jerry.
Maybe my lawyer is telling me that fucking Jerry is finally in custody for impersonating me.
Any information that the nightmare that began yesterday morning is finally over.
As I scroll through my emails, I bump against someone. I reach out before the person I pushed falls to the floor.
“Sorry,” I apologize and notice it’s Maia, wearing a black halter top, a long white skirt, and a pair of fuck-me shoes. She looks gorgeous, and my day is looking a little brighter just by the sight of her. “Hi, Little Blue.”
Her lips twitch in amusement.
“What did I say?”
“It’s weird that someone calls me that, while everyone in this place is only calling me Ms. Campo”—she looks around and shakes her head almost disgusted— “not Ocampo, but still, they’re trying to score a position in my company.
You…well, you see me and call me Blue. I find it amusing and nice for a change. ”
“It’s suffocating to be here, isn’t it?”
She nods.
“That’s why I’m leaving.”
“In such a hurry. Is that why you’re pushing people out of the way? Do you have a hot date?”
I laugh at the irony. If only she knew about the shit show I’ve been dealing with because of a fake date.
“So, this weekend’s date wasn’t all you needed, or you want more?”
My brow arches. “You sound upset. After all I did for you today, the least you should have is a little pity on me. You look gorgeous, by the way.”
“Thank you for sending your driver.” She smooths her skirt. “You didn’t have to pay for my clothes.”
I shrug and check the time. “Do you have anything special to do here?”
She scans the hallway and shakes her head. “Other than mingle and pretend that I’m enjoying myself? No.”
My phone rings. I take a long sip of air before I answer. “Hey, Loretta,” I greet the head of my public relations department. “Give me a second. I need to get out of here before we can talk.”
Since I don’t want to lose Maia, I grab her hand and head toward the elevator bank.
“We’re going in the opposite direction.” Maia tries to claim her hand back.
“Follow me. I know the perfect place where we can go,” I offer, rushing through the people and making sure that Maia doesn’t get squished by the mob.
Once we’re on the elevator, heading toward the parking garage, I finally say, “Talk to me, Loretta.”
“This is a nightmare. I emailed you the final draft of the press release for your approval. I’ll publish it on the website and the social media of the company once you okay it.”
“Have you found Jerry?”
“The last time I heard, the police were looking for him.”
I release Maia’s hand to run mine through my hair. This can’t be over. “Thank you for all you did today.”
“That’s what you pay me for, right?”
“I do, and if it weren’t only Monday and us having a lot of work to do, I’d give you the week off.”
She laughs. “Enjoy your conference, Gatsby. And be smart. You’re under a magnifying glass.”
“When am I not?” I ask before hanging up.
I put the phone away, and Maia asks, “Where are we going?”
“One of the best places in the city. I don’t know about you, but this has been a long week.”
She nods, and I notice her eyes are missing their natural spark. What happened to her?
Since I don’t want to do anything stupid, I ask, “Is that okay with you? I mean, you don’t have to come.”
“If this place is quiet, I want to be there, please.”
Finally, I understand. Maia isn’t sad but overwhelmed and anxious.
This isn’t a place for my shy girl. If I had remembered it, I would’ve offered her a room at my house when she mentioned she’d be here.
But would she have accepted? Who knows, but tonight I’ll make sure she recharges.
I can send her back to the hotel with Owen unless she wants to stay in one of the guest rooms—or my room.
I put the brakes on my lust. Neither one of us is in a good place to fool around. As we reach the parking lot and the elevator doors open, I spot Owen standing next to my SUV.
“Owen,” I greet him.
He tilts his head and then moves his attention to Maia. “Good evening, Ms. Ocampo.”
“Call me Maia,” she says.
“Sir, where should I drive you?”
“Home.”
Once we’re in the car, Maia asks, “You live here?”
I shrug. “It’s complicated.”
“Like all your relationships? I heard you’re expecting a baby.”
Oh fuck, not another shit show.