Executive Estates & Gardens
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Rex
I was finally settled in. There were a few uneasy nights, but all the boxes were unpacked. My house was larger than my twenty-two hundred square foot loft on the East Coast. Mom was glad I purchased a family property. Our company acquired ten in the area this past year, so I was lucky enough to get first pick. The barbecue area, patio, and infinity pool were key points. It was an oasis.
I glanced at the time. Miss Barbara would call soon. She was reworking my schedule because there were back to back meetings during my first week in the office. The daily conference call with Mr. Giles worked well for business updates, but Grandfather made sure everyone felt valued. I knew the importance of it long before I was working behind the scenes. My thoughts went to Laura. Our conversation was still on my mind. That night changed the course of things. My calls and texts went unanswered until he made it known she was at his place, but what if there was more to it?
I shook my head. My pride was a terrible thing, but it was different than before. I tried calling three times in the past four days. I didn’t leave a voicemail. It was personal with us, but I wouldn’t be calm if her friend called back.
Theo walked into the kitchen, “Hey, that’ll burn.”
I quickly whisked the eggs and poured them into the hot pan. “I was distracted for a second.”
“Maybe you need downtime,” he poured orange juice into a glass. “You’re working around the clock and this thing with your ex will get worse come next week.”
“I tried calling,” I kept scrambling the eggs. “I wanted to talk things out before then.”
“Explain who you are while you’re at it.”
“Laura was upset when she left Savage Paradise. How do you think she’ll react? I’m not thrilled about the guy being around. I don’t care about their relationship, but I want to make this easier on her.”
Theo wasn’t shocked by my honesty. “You gave him time to win her heart. Laura’s been at the job for years. Do you want to risk ruining her career?”
“That won’t happen. I spoke with Grandfather. Amcor is privately owned, but I’ll meet with HR.”
Theo chuckled, “You’re planning to come forward with a relationship you don’t even have. You’re still in love.”
I plated the food and set it on the counter. “It’s not the good feeling I thought it would be.”
“Love’s not about the good times,” there was a hint of sadness in Theo’s voice. He cleared his throat. “But when you have it, there’s nothing else like it.”
We ate in silence for a few minutes. Theo had to make major changes in his life. It’s been almost five years, but that kind of pain doesn’t leave. He looked up from his plate. “So, what will you do?”
“I’ll be honest, confess, and apologize.”
“Sounds good, but what are you sorry for?”
“I blew my chance to love her. I wanted more and should’ve said that instead of inviting her to stay with me. It was more than sex and a vacation.”
“Three days, three months, or three years. Love is love and you’ll be feeling the effects from it soon.”
I chuckled, “Are you saying be nice to her boyfriend or whoever she’s dating?
“Hell no, fuck him,” Theo replied with ease. “Figure it out and win her back.”
He finished his food. “I’ll clean the kitchen.”
“Or you could cook every night next week.”
“Not a damn chance. I’m working twelve-hour days since you won’t be available.”
“Wasn’t the goal to relax more? I thought selling your construction company was the start of retirement.”
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Theo grumbled more but kept cleaning.
“Mish can take care of things during the day. We hired more staff and security too. You don’t have to spend all your time at Savage Paradise.”
“I’m training the new guys, but I’ll be there,” he replied.
“Jonah and Kayson are good at managing the crowds. They’ll handle security with the new hires on slow nights.”
“And when would that be? The place has been open for six weeks. More people are coming in by the day.”
I smiled, “You’re saying that like it’s a bad thing.”
“It is when you’re saying I shouldn’t be there to keep shit in order.”
“A day off wouldn’t hurt.”
“Tell yourself and then we’ll discuss my work habits. I don’t need a break. I’m not taking time off.”
Theo’s bad mood was a sign not to push the issue. I decided to use a different approach. “You left early last night. That’s a start, but a woman asked for you.”
“Yeah, well, maybe she’ll call or something.”
I laughed, “Don’t you want to know who it is?”
“Not really.”
“A brunette, cute, petite.”
“I don’t know who she is. She’ll text or whatever.”
I laughed, “Did you check your phone?”
“Look, I answer my calls and texts. You don’t have to keep tabs on me. Anyone I’m dealing with will hit me up and not show up at the bar,” Theo cursed more under his breath. “Stop playing matchmaker.”
“I’m not. I never hooked you up with anyone.”
“Because I avoid it like the plague. High School before Chrissy. Do you remember how many times a girl cried because you said I liked her when I didn’t?”
“That was twelve years ago.”
“I don’t give a shit. Don’t try it. It always ends terrible.”
I chuckled, “You’re doing well on your own by the looks of things.”
“I’m honest,” Theo replied. “I don’t have much to give, so I put it out there upfront. How much do you know about Stacie?”
I shrugged, “You said not to play matchmaker.”
Theo shot a warning glance in my direction.
I ignored it and finished my coffee. “She’s Laura’s best friend. Stacie owns a shop near the beach. There was trouble there last year. I had her store window repaired.”
“Okay,” Theo finished cleaning up. He didn’t ask any more questions, but I could tell he was interested.
Theo left the kitchen when my conference call with Mr. Giles started. We went back and forth when it came to transitions within the company. He was dead set against my coming aboard as CEO from the start. Grandfather exchanged words with him. They were on good terms despite it, but Mr. Giles didn’t have the majority vote. I was in and he’d have to get used to it.
The call ended. I followed up with Miss Barbara and called Laura again. She didn’t answer. I had half a mind to text her my name and number, but I would be pissed if her boyfriend called me back. I decided to wait. The next time we saw each other would be different. I wasn’t sure how it would go, but Laura would know how I felt.
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