Paige #2
“Dad is happy to be retired. He was a workaholic until he had a heart attack ten years ago and Mom forced him to give control of the company to me. It was just precious metals and mining operations at the time, so it was easier to handle.”
“Mining?”
“Yeah, my grandfather bought out a mining outfit in the sixties that managed to make good during the Georgia Gold Rush back in the early 1800s. Of course, that was mostly exhausted by the time my dad got to it, but they discovered other metals like iron, manganese, and later aluminum, before Dad took the company global, so our operations are still in existence. When it was handed off to me, I figured it wouldn’t last forever and we needed to diversify, so I created Olympus International with my brothers and branched out into other endeavors. ”
“That’s amazing,” I say, thinking of my own family’s sordid history of plantation life before the Civil War.
It’s not a pretty legacy when you go far enough back, but you can’t undo the past actions of relations, only hope to make better ones and do your part to ensure no one is taken advantage of again.
Unless it’s a daughter you want to give in exchange for hush money.
“Your mama must be a tough woman to have three sons like what you’ve described.”
Hayes widens his eyes and nods. “My mama came from nothing. A real ball-buster of a lady my daddy met in the Appalachians of Lumpkin County where some of our mining operations are. She’ll tell anyone she didn’t need no rich man to sweep her off her feet, but he certainly needed to be managed and she was the lady for the job. ”
I laugh imagining someone as demanding and successful as the man who sired Hayes needing to be managed.
“She sounds like a hoot.”
“More like scary.” He shakes his head appreciatively.
Our waiter brings a pizza that we didn’t order to our table, and I look up at him in confusion.
“Your usual, sir. Ma’am, would you like anything else to drink?”
“I’m fine, thank you,” I tell him. I look at Hayes. “I can’t even be mad at you for ordering for me, because they didn’t even let you do that. But what if I have an allergy or aversion to something?”
“Do you?” he asks, serving me a piece of steaming pizza with melty strings of cheese that stretch before he pulls them off with his fingers.
“No, I guess not, but you didn’t know that.”
“You would have told me. If you don’t tell me, I’ll never know because I’m not a mind reader. But everyone likes pizza.”
I look at the puffed pockets of crisp crust with longing. Yes, I love pizza. I make a mental note to not assume he’s a mind reader and dig in.
Hayes wipes his hands on a cloth napkin and steeples his fingers in front of him.
“So what are you gonna do?”
I choke on a bite of pizza and take a moment to wash it down with a sip of water.
“As in immediately with my pizza, or some vague time in the future?” I clarify.
“What’s your plan? I know what your parents want for you, but what do you really want?”
I take a bite of pizza and chew thoughtfully.
“I’m supposed to start working at The Mansion in the new year as the general manager to get my feet wet in the operations and management side of things.
Then I’ll run the Xenios Group, eventually, when Daddy retires.
It’s my legacy, what I’ve been raised to do, and what I want most is to take over and expand it into something bigger, something that helps more people somehow.
I want to leave my own mark, you know? Hospitality is in my blood.
I don’t see anything else even remotely as fulfilling. ”
Hayes taps his steepled fingers against his bottom lip and nods once.
“What about the plans your parents have for you?”
My shoulders slump. “I don’t see a way around them, honestly. If I want that legacy, I have to do what they say, even if it kills a part of me to do it. I’ll have to go home eventually and face the music.”
“Stay here with me.”
“And what, become estranged from my family in the hopes they’ll see clearly eventually?
I don’t think you understand the lengths they will go to in order to ensure the survival of their company.
This marriage would ensure the financial stability they crave and branch the business out into other endeavors, which aligns with my own future aspirations.
Not that I’d ever willingly marry for it,” I assure him.
“What if the Daniels weren’t able to provide that financial stability your parents are thinking they’re getting by arranging your marriage?” He says the last part like an accusation, and I can’t help but agree.
“If you know something I don’t, that would help my case, I’m all ears.” I lean my elbow on the table and sip my wine.
“I’m working on it. Don’t give up on me.”
“I don’t think I have much time. I’m maxing out the bounds of your helpfulness in keeping me while I negotiate with a tyrant, and it’s not exactly fun hiding out.
I miss Savannah. The sea air, the small-town charm, the historic buildings, being able to walk everywhere, and the Spanish moss draped on every tree. I miss home,” I say wistfully.
Hayes reaches out and covers my hand on the table.
“There is no limit to what I would do for you, angel. You’re not maxing out anything by staying with me.”
I smile. “Thank you for that. I’m forever grateful that you would help me out in a time of need. It’s really my own unease with putting that on someone else that’s getting to me. Fairchilds don’t overstay their welcome, even if it’s open-ended.”
“How about I put you to work so you’re not counting tiles all by yourself in the house next week?” he offers.
“What do you have in mind?” I’m curious what he thinks my ability is.
“I have a few projects at work that could use your background and honestly, your feminine touch. Think you’d like to learn more about Underworld Spirits?”
“I don’t know the first thing about liquor distribution, but I can tell a good whiskey from tequila.”
He chuckles with me when I smile.
“This is the place that makes the bourbon we had at my ball, right? The exclusive one only available at The Abyss?”
“The very same, but it’s a full-scale distillery making that delightful bourbon as well as a smaller-scale production of craft vodka and gin.
We’ll move into tequila when I can get the perfect agave supplier and start production in Mexico because it has to be just right, or you get bottom barrel shit that leaves you on the floor with a hangover. ”
He rubs his temples like he’s had the experience, even though his wealth should have assured he never touched anything less than Patrón Silver.
“Such a large operation for one retailer?”
“We’re beginning the mass production and distribution portion next week. We have a launch party tomorrow, with a gradual rollout planned to keep demand high. I was actually hoping you’d be my date to the party.” He squeezes my fingers and smiles his blinding white, panty-melting grin.
“A real date instead of staying tucked in your cozy home? What is this, a trick question?” I laugh because it’s easier than admitting to the bubbly high that hit me with his request. It’s one thing to know he trusts me to work on a project for him, and another entirely to know he wants me on his arm at a big party he’ll be in the spotlight for.
“It’s a black-tie affair. We can go shopping tomorrow to make sure you have something comfortable to wear.”
I laugh out loud. “Comfortable black-tie? Have you seen an evening gown? Comfort is the last thing that comes to mind when sequins, glitter, corsets, and trains are involved.”
His eyes burn with liquid emeralds and a predatory grin cracks his face, showing off white teeth.
“Mmm, corsets. You want to take dessert to go and let me unlace you?”
I tap my nose and smile. “I don’t have a corset with me, but I may have other surprises that still allow me to breathe that you’d find equally appealing. I hope your usual includes something chocolate.”
Hayes looks around for our server and raises his hand. When the server arrives, he says, “We’ll take the soufflé to go and a box for the leftovers, please.” He hands off his credit card and returns his heated gaze to me. “I like the idea of surprises when it comes to you.”
It doesn’t take long for our dessert to be brought out. Hayes packs everything up and holds his hand out for me. We leave the restaurant and he drapes his arm over my shoulder, pulling me close to his side on our walk back to the car.
“This is really nice. Thanks for getting me out of the house.” I snuggle closer and look up at him from his side.
“I enjoyed sharing my favorite pizza with you.” He places a kiss on my head.
“I’m actually looking forward to the Underworld Spirits party tomorrow.
I was dreading the publicity, but I think I’ll manage if I have you there with me.
” He stops at the car and lifts the gullwing door of the Mercedes to put our boxes in the back.
I lean my back against the car and cross my arms.
“So you don’t mind being seen out with a much younger woman who has questionable parents?” I tease.
“Are you kidding? I’m honored you’d even entertain an old man like me,” he jokes right back. “I mean, it’s only fourteen years, right? It’s not like I’m twice your age, which isn’t uncommon for some of the people I’ve done business with.”
I consider his words. Had I been asked a week ago what I thought of a woman my age dating an older man, I probably would have wrinkled my nose in distaste. My small worldview is expanding the longer I spend with Hayes, and I’m not mad about it.
“Okay, old man, come here and kiss me.” I grab his T-shirt in my fist and tug him to me.
He traps me against the car with his arms and leans his face close to mine. “Are you starting dessert early, Miss Fairchild?”
I pull his hips flush against me and wiggle. “Maybe.”