Chapter 36
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
MILLER
With my heart jumping and hammering like a pneumatic drill and my stomach doing enough somersaults to win a gymnastics gold medal, I haven’t been able to face breakfast. So I grab an apple from the fruit bowl on my kitchen counter in case I can manage it en route, and head for the door.
Half of me wants to sprint out, the other half wants to move as slowly as possible, because the longer I’m here, the longer the possibly hopeless hope of Frankie forgiving me is still alive.
I’d planned to go see her yesterday.
After my talk with Oliver at whatever-the-hell o’clock, I was determined to get a few hours sleep, then drive right over there.
And I had literally just started my car and was reaching for the seat belt when Brooke called to say I needed to go talk the project manager for the Pinnacle Residences out of quitting over the ridiculous unmatching toilets issue.
My knee-jerk reaction was to be frustrated as all hell.
But later, with the project manager still in place thanks to a hefty bonus offer, I sat on my sofa with a beer and realized that the fact I hadn’t gone to see Frankie meant she hadn’t been able to turn me down.
I was sitting there with a faint chance still flickering inside me, rather than a hollow aching hole where all my internal organs used to be.
But if anyone else important wants to quit today, they can go.
Because I need to do my best to fix this thing.
To go after the woman I want. I need. Even if all the roads are closed, the trains are canceled and flights are grounded.
I’ll get myself to Warm Springs on the back of a donkey if I have to.
I push my feet into my sneakers at the same time as I press the button to open the doors of my private elevator.
It’s only 8 a.m. and the drive shouldn’t take me more than four hours at this time on a Saturday.
As the doors slide open, my phone pings.
Nope. Everyone can fuck off.
I can’t help but give it a quick glance, though.
It’s the Commoners group text.
LEO
Hey, Chase and Oliver. Am in NYC. Lunch?
Miller, where are you?
OLIVER
Thanks for waking me up.
CHASE
Sounds good. Just back from a run, then have a meeting with the Toasted Tomato brewery folks, but am clear for lunch.
ME
Am at home in Boston. But about to leave for the Hudson Valley. Catch you next time.
I slide the phone into my back pocket, but before my fingers are off it, it pings again.
OLIVER
Hang on…
Hudson Valley?
Shit. You’re going to the donkey sanctuary, aren’t you?
LEO
OK, I was thinking of this new place in Soho.
CHASE
You mean going to the donkey sanctuary OWNER, right?
ME
Christ, I should have lied and said I had a meeting.
OLIVER
A “meeting”? Is that what we’re calling it now?
CHASE
And isn’t lying what caused this whole problem in the first place?
LEO
It’s near Spring and Sullivan. Low key. Private room upstairs. Should I get Amelia to book it?
ME
Never had a better idea in my life.
OLIVER
Oh, Jesus…
ME
Don’t say that.
CHASE
Whatever you think is the right thing to do, Mill. We’re right behind you.
ME
Thanks, Chase. I have to try.
LEO
Guys. Does lunch work? Should Amelia book it?
OLIVER
Hold your horses, Leo. We need to sort out Miller first.
ME
I don’t need sorting out.
OLIVER
Look, mate. I just don’t want you to get hurt.
CHASE
Exactly.
ME
I have to try. I need to try.
OLIVER
Then we’re with you one hundred percent. Onwards!
CHASE
Well, I’ve seen you talk the supplier of stadium seats into a deal that must have left him losing money, so you must be able to convince this woman you’re not an assjerk.
ME
That’s meant to be a vote of confidence, right? I’ll take it as one anyway.
CHASE
I mean because of course you’re not an assjerk. You just did a thing that might have made it look like you’re an assjerk.
ME
Still not sure that’s helping.
CHASE
Oh for fuck’s sake, Mill. Go get the fucking girl!
LEO
Guys. The restaurant room? Should we book it?
OLIVER
Hey Leo, aren’t you going to wish Mill good luck on his love mission?
ME
Not sure I’m comfortable with the term “love mission.”
OLIVER
You totally love her.
CHASE
Yup. Totally. I’ve never seen you go a block out of your way for a woman before, so am sure you wouldn’t be chasing four hours across state lines if you didn’t.
LEO
I’ll ask Amelia to book it for 12:30. See you there.
LEO
Good luck Miller.
ME
Thanks Leo. Thanks guys. Gotta run. I’ll try not to make too much of an assjerk of myself.
As I reach for the elevator button again to reopen the doors, I realize my hand is shaking.
My knees might be too.
Whatever. My body needs to get over itself.
Because I need to somehow get Frankie to realize not only that she doesn’t hate me, but that she actually loves me.
I’m the one with the persuasive skills, right? Mom always says I can talk the hind legs off a donkey (how ironic), talk someone down off a ledge, or should have been a hostage negotiator.
But all those things would be a cakewalk compared to trying to convince Frankie that I’m not a lying assjerk.
The elevator doors slide open.
And I step inside anyway.