Chapter 14
fourteen
two years, three months, eight days to go
A nother Monday morning. Another alarm going off at six. Another drive into the office. Another pot of coffee started. Another day of following in his brother’s footsteps. God, he hated this.
Only two years, three months, and eight days to go , Ryan reminded himself as he poured two cups of coffee.
It had been two weeks of hell, getting up so early after years of working the evening shift.
Many nights had him in bed at two, only for his fucking alarm going off a measly four hours later.
He hadn’t touched the script for his podcast in two weeks.
“Thanks, Ryan,” Val said when he came out of the break room and joined her at her desk. “You’re looking better rested. Get all your shifts at Nopalitos covered?”
“Yep, I’m all yours this week.” He smiled and took a sip of the coffee.
Iz had covered his Thursday shift so Ryan could sleep and stop pissing off his dad, and Saturday had been his last night at Nopalitos.
His friend never understood how much satisfaction he got from pushing his father’s buttons.
Probably because Iz had a much better relationship with their parents, even after coming out.
“I gave you all the basics the last two weeks, so I’ll let you lead and step in if needed. I’m glad you’ll be here Thursday. That’s the first of the month, when rent is due, so I’ll go over what you need to do.”
Yay . And maybe he wouldn’t run away screaming from the drudgery of it all.
“And we have the initial meeting with our accounting firm today. Tax season is coming up, and the accountant will be working with your aunt and you to gather all the required paperwork, so you need to pay attention during the meeting.”
Even more good news. Numbers. God, he hated numbers, too. What the hell had he been thinking?
Long term. Two years of this and he’d have access to his trust fund.
If he had access to his trust fund, he wouldn’t have to worry about money when he finally got his podcast up and running.
He’d be able to take the risks he needed to generate income from what he truly enjoyed doing.
A couple of years of pulling in a reasonable salary while securing his access to his trust fund was worth it, even if he had to keep reminding himself of that fact.
And keep the caffeine flowing so he didn’t die of ADHD-induced boredom.
“When is the meeting?” he asked.
“After lunch. It will take most of the afternoon. I’ll sit in so I can go over any questions you have after.”
“Thanks, Val. You’re really making this transition easy.”
“Of course. I love working here. It was hard to quit, but the job in Phoenix was a big step up for Ben. Your dad already found a job for me close to our new house with a friend of his from one of the associations he belongs to.”
“I’m glad he was able to help you.” Ryan wished his father would extend him the same grace and courtesy he did for his employees.
But DeMarcos were held to a higher standard than pretty much anyone else, and Ryan had Alex.
The bar was high, and he always came up short.
The next two years could help him come to terms with his thorny relationship with his dad.
The morning passed quickly. He impressed Val with his understanding of the procedures she’d taught him, and she only had to correct one of the forms he filled out.
With the sun shining brightly in the late-January sky, he decided to eat lunch at the park down the street and returned promptly at twelve thirty, in plenty of time before the meeting with the accountants.
A few minutes before one, the bell on the door tinkled as it opened to reveal a statuesque woman with short, steel-gray hair dressed impeccably in a navy pantsuit with a pink blouse. She removed her sunglasses as she walked in and approached the reception desk. Ryan stood to greet her.
“Good afternoon, how may I help you?” See, he could be a solid employee.
“Hello. My name is Karina Jansen. I have an appointment with Annetta Herrera and Valerie Mullins.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Jansen.” Ryan extended his hand, which she shook with a firmness his father would be pleased with. “Ryan DeMarco. I’ll be taking over for Val when she leaves. I look forward to working with you.”
“Ah, the wayward son,” Ms. Jansen said. “I’m glad Alessandro was finally able to convince you to work here. He was worried about you. I’m sorry Val is leaving.”
“Karina!” Val’s voice rang out behind him as she came out of the break room. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Young Mr. DeMarco informs me you’re leaving?” the older woman said.
“Ben got a great job offer…”
Ryan tuned them out and busied himself with straightening the desk.
Someone from the marketing department would cover the phone and any walk-ins while they were in the meeting.
Wayward son, huh? Good to know what others thought of him because of his father.
Another reason he didn’t want to work here.
Too many expectations. At Nopalitos, as long as the drinks were first-rate and on time, no one gave a shit whether he was wayward or not.
The tinkling bell brought his attention to the door as Val and Ms. Jansen were heading to the meeting room.
A short figure stood in the doorway, the bright sunlight behind her highlighting her wavy brown hair and putting her luscious curves into stark relief.
As she took off her own sunglasses, lake-blue eyes set off by her blue blouse glanced around the room.
Holy shit. Elissa . He would never forget her name again, or those eyes.
They’d met him every night in his dreams since the debacle of a date.
And twice as often since their run-in at Nopalitos. The things he’d imagined her doing…
Fate had brought them back together. Not once, but twice now, and if she was doing the company’s taxes, they’d be working together for a couple months. He had to find some way to capitalize on this bit of luck. He’d regret it for the rest of his life if he didn’t at least try.
Her blue eyes passed right by him, found Karina, and she stepped into the building.
Then she stopped dead and her head twisted toward him, her mouth dropping open in surprise, the perfect cartoon double take.
Ryan gave her his best professional smile.
No room for the bedroom eyes and wicked grin he usually served to women he found attractive.
Not now that he was the face of DeMarco Properties. But damn, was he tempted.
“Hello, Elissa.” He walked around his desk. “Can I help you?”