30. Ian
Chapter 30
Ian
M ia called me last night and talked about her new locations for about an hour before we even talked about anything else. Her excitement is contagious; I just wished I could have been there to support her in person. I was afraid that I would burst her happy bubble she was in when I told her that the interview that we did the other day was going to air this morning on national television, but she didn’t care.
At least she told me she didn’t care. I hope she was being honest with me because although the interview will help shut many people up, it won’t eliminate the haters. They’ll still be around and trying to stir up some shit.
When I arrived in Seattle yesterday, it was a shitstorm, but not as bad as I was expecting. My former west coast division manager, Eric, had hired an assistant that I had no idea about and wasn’t an approved expense. No wonder this division is so over budget. Eric was just running his own show over here.
The assistant’s name is Randall and apparently, he seems to have a lot of things under control. When I walked into the office yesterday afternoon, unannounced of course, Randall was reading a vendor the riot act and demanding that they get on schedule before the end of the week, or they’ll need to work through the long holiday weekend. Seems that the construction industry was planning on taking Monday off since Tuesday is the Fourth of July. Not if they’re this far behind.
After going over the status of every single project that is currently active and all the other ones that are still waiting to get started, I realized I may not need to replace Eric with someone new. Randall seems to have it all under control and, at the end of the day, handed me his resume and told me he’d like to apply for the position. I thanked him for all his efforts and commended his knowledge of all aspects of the projects. I’ll definitely consider him for the position.
I’m drinking my tea, which is amazing since I’m in the coffee capital of the country, while waiting for the interview to show on television when my phone rings and my stupid brother’s face pops up on my screen.
“Hey.” I answer.
“Hey. I just heard about Eric. What a fucker. Do you need me to go out there?” Even though he’s my little brother and can be a pain in my ass, he’s my best friend and has the same business sense I do, which is why his construction empire is almost as big as Gallo Enterprises. And he always has my back; just like I have his.
“No. I’m already here. I flew out yesterday. Hey, do you know a…” I grab Randall’s resume to find his last name, “Randall Patterson?”
“I’ve heard of him. Why?”
“What have you heard? Because Eric had hired him as his assistant, but when I got here yesterday, he had already jumped in and started running the show out here. Seems to have it all under control, but I don’t want to jump the gun, ya know?”
“No, yeah, I get it. I’ve heard good things about him. He used to work for Smith and Co. before they folded. He was the one that kept them afloat for the last year before they finally closed up shop. He’s a good kid.”
“Seems to know his shit, but he’s young.”
“So. You were, too, once and look at you now.”
The interview Mia and I did is on and playing in the background. I don’t need to know what we’re saying. We’re the ones that said it. But I wanted to make sure that they did our relationship justice.
“Look at that. My big brother is on the Today Show .” Sawyer teases me.
“Yep.”
We both watch the entire interview still on the phone and when it ends, Sawyer laughs. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that was actual love.”
“You don’t know any better, Sawyer.”
“I figured when I saw you two the other night at dinner. So, you fell for the girl, huh?”
“Hook, line, and sinker.” I tell him with the biggest grin on my face, even though he can’t see it.
“Don’t you mean ‘peanut butter, bread, and jelly’?” His laugh at his own joke is loud and obnoxious through the phone.
“Jealousy isn’t a good look on you.” I tease him back.
He finishes laughing, “In all seriousness, I haven’t seen you like this before and it’s a good look on you, Ian. I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you. I am happy. I just wish I didn’t have to be way over on the other side of the country from her. It sucks.”
“Do you need me to stop in on her? Check on her?” Sawyer offers.
“No. She’s fine. We’ve been talking, and she’s getting her shop set up. I’ve got Hughes on her protection detail.”
“Good. His team is the best. Speaking of protection, did you hear about Hudson’s girl, Kate, and her bagel shop?”
“Yeah. I saw it in the group text. Are you going to be at the fundraiser on Saturday?”
“Of course. My guys are working with the event planner to do the construction and then the teardown of the booths and stage. It’s going to be quite a thing for Hooplas.”
I nod. “Yeah, and bring in some good money for her.”
“Okay, well, if you need me to do anything, just give me a shout. I’m in town all this week and next, but then I’m off to the Bahamas to check out your new islands. My brother—island owner. Who would have thought?”
“Me. I thought it and made it a reality.” I tease back.
“Garrett made it a reality. You just paid the price.” He laughs, “Gotta go. I’ve got a meeting to get to. Let me know if you need me to swing by and check on your girl while you’re gone.”
“Thanks, man. Talk soon.”
We hang up just as Mia calls me. I need to get a better picture of her for my phone. Right now, it’s a snapshot of her when she didn’t know I was taking it. At the time, I wasn’t sure if she’d be okay with her picture being taken.
“Hi sweetheart.” I answer, hoping she’s still okay with the term of endearment. It’s not usually my style, but it just comes out.
“Hi. Did you watch the interview?” She sounds nervous.
“I did. I think they did a good job.”
“Me, too. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I liked it.”
“What’s on your schedule today?”
“Well, today I’m going to meet the owner of Palm Beach Bridal. We’ve been talking online, and she invited me to her shop and to lunch. I’m on my way now. Her name is Dorothy, and she’s owned the shop for thirty-five years and promised to give me the lay of the land. She says that there is a genuine need up here in Hibiscus Harbor for a bridal shop. She’s been helping brides for years from this area and they all complain about the lack of resources in the area. This could be a real thing, Ian.”
Her excitement flows through the phone and it’s not the first time today that I wished I was home. “That’s great. Networking is the best way to get business. Tell me, you have Laura with you, right?”
“Laura, say hi to Ian.” Mia says.
“I’m here, sir, and she hasn’t tried to lose me once.” Laura’s voice sounds like she’s a distance away.
“See? I’m fine. Just riding in the back of this SUV like I’m some kind of big shot celebrity.”
“You are now. You were on the Today Show this morning, Miss McIntosh.” I tease her.
“What’s on your schedule today, Mr. Gallo?”
“More of the same. Our team will meet with the different city leaders to reassure them we will complete the projects on time and on budget. Low-income housing in this area is desperately needed, and what Eric did significantly disrupted the timeline.
“You said that guy, Randall, had it in better shape than you thought, right?”
“Yeah. He does. It’s just that he’s young and I don’t want this to overwhelm him and quit via a text message, too.”
“Give him a shot, Ian. He might surprise you.”
“You’re right. I may. I’m going to play it by ear today and tomorrow. See how he does.”
“Just give him the support and resources he needs, and I’ll bet he blows you away.”
“You blow me away, Mia, with your business sense and enthusiasm. You blow me away.” I repeat.
I can hear her smile through the phone. “Thank you. Now, I have to go because we’re here at Palm Beach Bridal. I’ll call you later this evening.”
“I miss you.”
“I miss you, too, Ian. Can’t wait for you to come home. Bye.” Mia hangs up and I just stare at her picture on my phone.
She called my house ‘home’, and I cannot remember the last time I’ve been homesick, but I’m feeling it now.
I want to go home.