Chapter 38
Nic rubbed the damp from his hair, and wrapped another towel around his waist. Aria had been out of luck yesterday – his generous towels could wrap up a family of four and still leave space for a pet.
Leaving the bathroom door open when he went to shower, he had hoped she might follow him in to celebrate their victory.
But maybe that would only complicate things right now.
Back in the bedroom, with Aria gone, he straightened the duvet, and stripped off a pillowcase covered in mascara streaks.
Once upon a time, this would have irritated him, and the former Nic would definitely have steered clear if a girl was throwing up past midnight.
Instead, he’d found her predicament touching.
Ring Theo. That’ll snap you out of it.
‘I was about to call you,’ his brother picked up after a single ring, and Nic could hear the frustration in his voice.
‘I’m at the office. Unlike everyone else.
Half the staff don’t come back from lunch; the rest aren’t doing anything when they are here.
And it’s not like you’ve been present recently. Look Nic, I’m—’
‘We charmed the councillor,’ Nic cut in.
‘Aria was amazing. She made floral antipasti and drunken beef.’ He paused as he flashed back to the flirting last night.
She was so cute when she was drunk and giggly.
And that kiss? It was hot. ‘I mean delicious beef. And it’s working.
I can see this liaison with Donna unlocking more doors for us, if we play it right going forward. ’
‘Well, that’s the only thing that’s working.
Things are a mess here. I had no idea how much everything fell apart while I was away.
I’ve been finding more holes in the books.
’ Without waiting for Nic to reply, Theo launched into fresh news.
‘That land we were after? All the interest in it has emboldened the landowner to hike the price up further. He’s now asking for offers over two hundred thousand. ’
Nic whistled. ‘I guess we’ll have to do without it? Or maybe we can stretch. Tell them we’re still interested, if it doesn’t go north of that? Once Dad comes good with the money—’
‘What was that?’
Shit. His brain was more addled than he thought. ‘I meant to tell you…’
Theo’s tone was sharper now. ‘You got into bed with Dad? Against my advice?’
Nic sighed. ‘I knew you’d kick off.’
‘And with good reason.’
‘I know he’ll try and interfere with everything, but I promise I’ll keep him on a leash. I understand your frustration, Theo. I’ve been a self-centred asshole, and I’ll get myself back to London to help you put things straight. I promise.’
‘It might be too late,’ Theo told him as Nic opened the door of his bedroom and walked down the corridor.
He needed coffee, and a proper chat with his hungover lodger.
‘Someone needs to be in full-time, take charge and keep this company afloat,’ his brother continued.
‘And as you own the lion’s share of this business, I suggest it should be you.
It’s certainly not something I want to do. ’
Nic picked up desperate tones in Theo’s voice and realised he was serious. ‘I haven’t sealed any deal with Dad. I’ll come down tomorrow and we can begin sorting things out.’
Theo sighed. ‘I don’t know how much longer I can be here, Nic. Honestly, it’s stressful and I’m not a hundred per cent well.’
Nic diverted back to his bedroom, picked up a bag and started putting clothes in it.
‘Look, I’ve been a selfish prick, swanning around here when you are struggling with your mobility, a new flat and getting back to work.
I should have been there. You aren’t thinking of walking out on me, are you? ’ He hardly dared voice the question.
‘Pff, an inappropriate response to a man with one leg,’ his brother huffed.
Nic sat on the bed, feeling winded. ‘Oh God, Theo, I’m so—’
‘I was joking. Don’t go getting all PC on me like everyone else.
But I am not kidding around about the situation here and not feeling well enough to cope with the chaos,’ he said.
‘I’ve been trying to pencil time in to talk to you, Nic, and yes, I have been thinking about resigning.
More than thinking, really, seriously considering… ’
‘I’ll be on the next train,’ Nic told him, adding shoes and a belt to the clothes he’d packed.
‘Look, I know I’ve been absent. But this fake relationship with Aria has gotten us further than any real relationship I’ve developed this year.
I’ve been getting things on track, and I am more focused than ever.
In fact, now I’ve got what we needed, all that matters to me going forward is our business.
Please don’t make any snap decisions,’ Nic begged as his brother rang off.