Chapter 22 #2
“You ever been to Colorado?” Avril asks me, pulling me into the conversation, which I appreciate, even though I can handle myself.
It feels like she’s looking out for me and…
that’s not a feeling I’m used to. I’m not used to anyone looking out for me.
It’s my job to look out for others and it’s my job to look out for me.
“No, although, I was thinking about making a trip because there’s a private members resort there that’s meant to be—”
“The Colorado Club,” Avril and Efa both chorus.
“That’s where we just came back from,” Efa says. “It’s incredible. You should take him, Avril.”
My gaze slides over to Avril. Is she a member through her brother or something? The place is super-exclusive, and I’m not saying Avril’s not successful, of course she is, but The Colorado Club is a playground for billionaires.
Avril laughs. “I think he can make his own way. If Byron will let him in. Will he be here tonight?”
Efa shakes her head. “No, change of plans. He’s in Star Falls.” She pauses. “So is Jack.”
They both laugh and then Efa gets called away.
“Did I miss the joke?” I ask.
“Have you heard of Jack Alden?”
“Of course. Everyone in New York has heard of the Aldens.”
“Right,” Avril says. “So, Jack is one of Worth’s gang of misfits, and he spends loads of his time in Colorado now, hanging out on a fruit farm. It’s only funny because of all of Worth’s close friends, Jack was the one I would have put money on not losing his heart to a farm girl.”
“Hey, Avril.” Worth comes over and ruffles her hair.
She bats him away and smooths down her hair, clearly irritated, but he just grins at her.
Worth reaches out his hand and we shake. “Good to have you here. I’m glad Avril made contact with you. I was going to reach out. Is there anything you need from me?”
I’m not quite sure what reason Avril has given for me being here tonight, so I’m not sure how to respond.
“Worth, you can leave it to me. I’m dealing with Boston,” Avril says.
“I’m just trying to help,” he says. “But it doesn’t sound like you’ve made much progress, so I’m going to get my lawyer to draw up some paperwork to put an offer in on the Fifth Avenue place.”
“Worth,” Avril says. “Can’t you just wait?”
“It doesn’t commit us to anything,” Worth says, clearly a little taken aback by Avril’s strength of feeling.
I realize she hasn’t spoken to him about how much Boston means to her and why. How come?
“Worth, we both know that’s a lie. It completely commits you mentally. And that’s all you need. If you put an offer in on the Fifth Avenue place, I might as well abandon Boston.”
He shakes his head. “We need to have a backup plan, and Fifth Avenue isn’t even a backup. It should be a real consideration.”
Before Avril can argue, Sophia calls Worth over to her, leaving Avril and me alone.
“You okay?” I ask her.
She sighs, crossing her arms in front of her. “Same old, same old. He’s just indulging me with the Boston thing. I think he’s already decided on the New York site.”
“Because it’s a better business proposition?” I ask. Worth might just see things in dollar signs.
“It’s very similar in terms of the profitability. Boston is better, but New York is arguably less of a risk. It’s frustrating.”
“When there’s so much money at stake, you’re always going to have to approach him with the financial upside and ignore the personal.”
“Of course,” she says. “I know how my brother’s mind works more than anyone. He doesn’t understand why Boston is so important to me.”
“How come?”
“Because if I told him, he’d probably put Fifth Avenue on hold.”
“But that’s what you want,” I say, confused.
“I know, but I want him to do it because it’s the better proposition rather than because I asked him to. I’m his sister, he’d do anything for me.”
“That’s a nice position to be in.”
“Agreed. Except, I don’t want Worth to choose Boston because I want it. I want the Boston place to stand on its own merits. I don’t want a free ride on this one.”
“Hey,” I say, shocked at how she’s putting herself down. “Worth is not the wealthy, successful guy that he is by giving out free rides. If he didn’t think Hotel on Ninth Street was a viable proposition, he wouldn’t have said yes.”
Avril just shrugs, like I don’t know what I’m talking about but she can’t be bothered to argue.
“Maybe. I just want to get through this week, see if you can work your magic with Boston and then, hopefully, Worth can make the right decision based on the financials, not on the fact that I’m his little sister who still needs help at every turn. ”
We’re interrupted by Poppy, who’s brought us both a drink, and then people start to take their seats around the table, and I’m seated next to Avril, which brings back memories of Aurora and Deacon’s engagement party.
It feels like so long ago, but it was only a matter of weeks.
But so much has changed.
I was determined not to help Avril with her Boston problem, but now I know, no matter what happens between now and Sunday, I am going to help her.
Not because things between us aren’t messy.
Not because I’m not concerned that my reputation won’t take a blow if she gets hurt by me or if things go south… but because I can’t not.
I’m helping her because I want to help her.
It’s a first for me, but I don’t feel like I have any choice. Avril Huntington is changing my MO, whether I like it or not.