One Unforgettable Favor

by Nicole Vidal

  After our flight, we huddle around the computer in Billie’s condo waiting for Noah to log on.

  “Are you pregnant?” Billie asks.

  “No,” Noelle replies.

  “Show me your ring?” Kelly asks.

  Noelle flashes her bare left ring finger.

  Not for long, tesoro.

  Finally Noah logs in.

  “Hi, everyone. Thank you for joining us. To recap, we’re not engaged nor having a baby. However, we’re both making some changes.”

  I explain my two deals and Noelle’s acquisition and consulting gig. The questions are fast and furious, but I ignore them.

  “Lastly, Noelle and I are moving near Pemberton as soon as possible.”

  Cheers erupt from Billie and Kelly.

  “The girl gang just got bigger!”

  “Woohoo!”

  I have no idea what those two are talking about, but Noelle is grinning from ear to ear, so she must have some idea. After ending the call, we snuggle up on Billie’s terrace.

  “That went well.”

  “It did,” she agrees. “Are you going to keep your penthouse?”

  I hadn’t really thought about it. “If Sam doesn’t want it, I may rent it out. Why?”

  “Just wondering.”

  I see something cross her gorgeous features. “Tesoro, do you want me to keep it?”

  She sighs deeply. “Keeping my condo is one thing, small in comparison to your place. It’s not practical, but….”

  “Complete bare honesty, sweetheart.”

  “I don’t want you to sell it because it’s part of us. I know long-term it isn’t reasonable to keep a multimillion-dollar home that we won’t use often.”

  “If that is what you want, I'll hold on to it.” There must be a deeper reason she wants to hold on to these places, but I'm not sure what it is. My penthouse is paid for, so keeping it won't cost too much. Eventually, I'll understand why she wants to keep two pieces of real estate that we may never use again.

  I sent four property sheets to Jacob. He eliminated one for security reasons. We’ll see the other three today with Griffin. While Jacob recommended him, he is also a friend of Peter's. He helped Peter find Billie's dream home and one for Nicholas and Kelly. I have been assured of his discretion.

  “Sweetheart, if you want to stop at the Perk, we need to go.” Noelle hustles out of the bedroom, throwing her thin sweater over her shoulders, making me ask, “Do you move that fast for other things?”

  “Just you.” She kisses me hard.

  Kelsey, one of Billie’s friends, owns The Perk. When we arrive, there is a short line. As we step up to the counter, a young, bubbly girl named Becca asks, “Welcome to the Perk, what can I get for you?”

  We place our order and hurry to meet Griffin at our first potential home.

  “Miss Barnett. Mr. Morgan. It's a pleasure.” Griffin extends his hand to her.

  “Please Noelle and Cash,” Noelle says, closing her door.

  The first option is a piece of land with a few acres close to the airport. There is an ocean view, but a street sits between the land and the shore. Unfortunately, the street is busy. That’s not something that the property sheets indicated. Nor will it work in the future with our children. I should be listening to Griffin, but I can already tell from Noelle's reaction. This isn't the one. “Shall I give you two a minute?” he asks after explaining the property.

  I nod at Noelle. “No, we are ready to move on.” He provides us with the address of the next property, and we follow him there.

  We drive up to a massive house with a wraparound porch. The two-story foyer is gorgeous. Griffin is rattling off the stats—six bedrooms, six and a half bathrooms, home gym, and even an inground pool.

  “What do you think?” I ask, already knowing her answer. She will say something like “it’s nice but not it.”

  “It's huge. Enough room for all five kids, but it isn't the one.”

  I heard Griffin choke on the “five kids” part. “You have five kids?”

  “Not yet, but we might someday,” I reply with a huge grin on my face.

  “On to the next, please,” Noelle says, lacing her fingers with mine.

  After a short ride, we stop at a gate. Opening the gate, we follow along a wooded driveway. I watch her face. So far, she hasn't moved this one into the no column. To be honest, this is my pick of the three, at least from the property sheet and photos online. The house is a newer construction, only a few years old. The current and only owner used it as a summer home and has recently decided it's too much home for the three weeks his family spends here in the summer. Her silence leads me to believe this one may be the one. There are six bedrooms and at least as many baths in this house. The kitchen is modern with white cabinetry, Carrera marble countertops, and restaurant-grade appliances. The living room has a large fireplace. On the rear wall of the house is a large office with a water view. The entire rear façade is a wide porch.

  It’s an exceptionally good sign that Noelle is climbing the wide staircase. There are two master suites. The larger one has double walk-in closets and an insane bathroom including a huge shower and claw-foot tub. Aside from the plentiful bedrooms, this property sits on three acres and abuts a nature conservancy. No one can build to the left or behind the home.

  “What do you think?”

  “It’s perfect.”

  Leading her onto the terrace, I point over to the right. “Do you see that beach straight ahead?

  “Yes.”

  “The house comes with access to that secluded beach. It’s shared with three other homes on this street.”

  “Really?”

  I smile. “There’s more.” I tap my finger on my lip, waiting for the reaction I’m bound to get. First, I love teasing her, and second, my name falling from her pouty lips makes my chest tighten.

  “Cassius,” she whispers, knowing what it does to me and to make me answer.

  I kiss her cheek quickly before asking, “See that house two doors away?”

  She shrugs.

  “That is Nicholas’s house.”

  “Really?”

  “You didn’t know?” I ask.

  “No. I’ve never been there before. I never made it to the house when I came to visit because they were in Paris.” Her eyes widen before she jumps into my arms. “Do you love it too?” Her lips descend on mine before I can answer. After kissing her thoroughly in what will be our bedroom, we walk downstairs to put in an offer.

  After handling some details with Griffin, we decide to stop by to see if Nicholas and Kelly are home.

  “It’s so good to see you,” Mabel says as she opens the door. She pulls both Noelle and me into a huge hug.

  “Come in. I’ll get them for you.”

  Kelly and Nicholas come out from what looks like an office. We greet them and chat over drinks and snacks that Mabel brings out. The girls are chatting about the gala, girls’ night in, and Noelle’s necklace. Nicholas motions for me to follow. I rise from the deck chair and follow him around the house.

  “Thank you, Cash,” Nicholas says as soon as we are out of earshot of our women. We walk down the lawn toward the shoreline.

  “You’re welcome. I didn’t do anything.”

  “You did. You make her happy.”

  “She does the same for me. I realize you aren’t her father, but you’re the closest family she has. Nicholas, I love your sister. I want to build a life with her. At the risk of adhering to a traditional norm she loves to break, I would appreciate your blessing to marry Noelle.” I extend my hand to him, and he takes it.

  “You have it. Welcome to our family.”

  We discuss my plans a bit more before returning to the patio with Kelly and Noelle. On our trip back to Billie’s condo, Noelle fills me in about her chat with Kelly, including details of her recent trip to Paris, the newest film she’s working on, and what’s coming up for Nicholas. Honestly, I’m only half listening. I have never felt this way before. Not
only did Nicholas give me his blessing, but I have no doubt we’ll be happy for the rest of our lives.

  48

  Noelle

  During our glorious weekend in Maine, we shared our news with our families, found the perfect home for our future, and shared a filthy, dirty evening on Billie’s terrace. Now my nose is deep in paperwork working on my students’ plans. Never have all the pieces fallen together for me. Every moment since I spontaneously kissed Cash has pushed me toward complete blissful happiness—happiness not only with him and my career but with myself. No man has ever completely listened and understood my need to ignore my birthday. Yet Cash makes me see that day is more about me than a reminder of losing them.

  Glancing at the clock, I realize I’m late. I hurry to Cash’s office to see Mallory.

  “Noelle Barnett to see Mallory—”

  “Hi, Noelle. Come on in,” Mallory interjects. I follow her into the office late in the week. “Do you want me to call Cash?”

  “I peered into his office. He was on a call. If he can stop in, he will.” Mallory and I spend the next forty minutes going over the finer points of my deal to purchase Bright Horizons. The only provision that gives me pause is Shelly, the current owner, wants a stipulation that I will maintain the staff for at least one year. There are a few exceptions allowing termination, but basically the staff remains for at least a year. Despite Mallory’s insistence this isn’t absolutely abnormal, I want to discuss it with Cash before agreeing. Armed with a draft sales agreement and a few more documents, I move toward Cash’s office.

  “Miss Barnett, Cash asked me to have you wait. He should only be a few more minutes.”

  “Thank you, Myles.” As I take a seat outside Cash’s office, I note a steady flow of guys walking past me. “Is it always like this?”

  “Not at all. That is about you.”

  “Me? Why?”

  “I can readily admit you’re gorgeous despite my desire to bed someone who looks more like your boyfriend. Every other guy in the office is intrigued by the woman who could capture his stone-cold heart.”

  “Nothing about Cash is cold, Myles.” I’m surprised his coworkers see him that way. He isn’t cold to his siblings. Cash certainly isn’t that way with me. He’s loving and doesn’t refrain from showing it as often as he can. Does he temper his displays of affection based on our surroundings? Of course. So do I.

  “Frankly, we’ve never seen him like he has been for the last few months during the time he has been with you.”

  I open my mouth to respond, but when I do, Cash emerges from his office and invites me in.

  “Hi, sweetheart. How was your meeting? I’m sorry I couldn’t join you.”

  “No, problem. Mallory’s great. I do have a few questions to go over with you tonight.”

  “I’ll be home in a few hours.” Despite our audience of one, Cash kisses me more deeply than he normally would. I wonder what that’s about.

  After a brief chat with Arthur, I fall into his office chair and review the paperwork from Mallory more thoroughly.

  “Hi,” Cash says, standing at the door later that same afternoon. He looks shell-shocked. Distraught. Heartbroken even.

  “Who is hurt?”

  “Mr. Edson.”

  It takes me a few moments to recall who that is. This can’t be good. I unfold my legs and move to him.

  “What happened?” I ask, wondering how it will impact Cash’s purchase.

  “He died.”

  Taking his hand, I guide him to the supple leather couch in his office. Setting his hands in my lap, I tug at his tie, loosening the expertly tied knot. He truly is off. Normally he has already peeled off his jacket and tie by the time he gets to me. I push his jacket off his shoulders and lay it on the arm of the couch behind me. I retake one hand in mine and slide the other along his sharp jaw, drawing my thumb along his cheek. A day’s worth of stubble prickles against my skin. A million questions float through my mind, but I don’t have the answers to a single one. Even though I’m working through the process with Mallory for myself, I have absolutely no clue what will happen now.

  “What does that mean for your deal?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Has this ever happened before? To date, I have never seen Cash in the position of not getting his way or delaying getting his way, I hope.

  “What can I do?”

  “You already are.” He slides his arm around me, pulling me into his lap. I kiss him before resting my head on his shoulder. The emotions pouring off him are intense, almost as intense as when he kisses me. He’s tense and angry. His foot is tapping a hard, fast beat on the plush area rug.

  “What is your plan?” I ask quietly. If he answers, great. If not, I’ll just ask again later.

  “Don’t really have one yet. Stacy is working on it. If it were my client in this situation, I would reach out to the board. In this case, that’s his children. As far as I know, his four children were on board with the sale. The worst case is I will have to renegotiate with the children. That will cost us time. Best case, in my opinion, is the kids agree to honor this agreement, but that will likely also cost us time as well.”

  The last thing Cash wants is to spend more time in New York, not only because we will be apart but because he sees his passion becoming his career.

  “Maybe we should wait to hear the board’s response.”

  The tension in his neck and back eases a tad. While his arms are still holding me securely against him, the anger vibrating through him has lessened as well. He sighs deeply before kissing my hair. “Tell me about your meeting. You’re concerned about something in the agreement, right?”

  “It isn’t important, Cash. We can talk about it later.”

  “No, we can’t. My crappy news doesn’t in any way diminish the dream you’re chasing. Your good day is equally as important as my mediocre or possibly atrocious one.”

  He is just so…. No one except Nicholas has ever put me first, but Nicholas is family. I have never felt so loved as I do right in this moment. Even though his dream is absorbing a potentially crushing blow, Cash is still interested in hearing about mine.

  “Mallory gave me the draft sales agreement and a few more documents, including the staff report and inventory. The only provision that concerns me is keeping the staff for at least one year. What do you think?”

  Before answering, he kisses me deeply. Each time his lips touch mine, the intensity is impossible to ignore. Despite what I thought, it doesn’t diminish. It keeps gaining strength.

  “Let’s talk while we make some dinner,” he says, pressing his lips to my forehead before setting me on the floor.

  49

  Cassius

  Hesitantly, I decide to go into the office today. It’ll give me more access to Stacy and the status of my deal. I even beat Myles in today. That’s rare. Armed with a third cup of coffee, I filter my emails and calls. Surprisingly, there is a voice mail at work from my father. I just missed the call while I was getting my refill.

  “Good morning, Cash. Thank you for returning my call.”

  “You’re welcome.” I figured getting it out of the way made the most sense. I won’t ignore my father simply because my mother’s behavior was abhorrent. Yesterday, Sam and I discussed my father’s offer of releasing the trust corpus early. We decided, if his offer still stands, that I should take him up on it for a few reasons. First, it will give me more control over my portfolio, and second, it’ll give me more liquidity for my Pemberton deal.

  “I want to reiterate that I wasn’t aware of your mother’s actions. Lying to Miss Barnett to, I don’t even know what, was unacceptable. I apologize again on your mother’s behalf.”

  “Thank you.”

  “As you know, my marriage to your mother was a business deal. I never wanted that for my children, despite how it looked last year with Mina and young Mr. Thomas. I have never seen you peaceful and content in both your career and your life. I suspect Miss Barnett is the catalys
t for those things. I’m genuinely happy for the both of you. You both deserve an apology from your mother. However, I question my ability to make that happen. Additionally, at least in the short-term, I doubt Miss Barnett nor you would be willing to be in the same room as my wife.”

  I’m floored. “Thank you. Nothing Noelle has ever done or ever will do warrants mother’s behavior. She puts everyone before herself and cares for everyone she meets. Not only characterizing her as a gold digger but throwing her parents’ death in her face was despicable. Margaux is nowhere near the pillar of humanity everyone thinks she is.”

  “I agree. It’s my understanding that you’re purchasing Pemberton Airlines. I assume you’re moving as well.”

  “Yes on both accounts. My plans are not public knowledge; please keep them to yourself. The last thing I need is Margaux telling the world before I resign officially.”

  “I understand. What is the time frame, if you’re willing to share?”

  “Up until yesterday, I would have said by the end of this year. However, Mr. Edson passed away, so that put a wrench into half of the deal. I’m waiting on my broker for an update.”

  “Thank you for sharing. I will keep this information to myself.”

  “You’re welcome. I would appreciate that. Very few people know of my plans. I need to keep it that way for a bit longer.”

  “I have spoken to our attorney regarding your trust. I can release it to you without your mother’s consent. The offer still stands.”

  “Thank you. I will take you up on your offer. Please let me know what you need from me.”

  “Very well. Thank you for listening, Cassius. I hope your deal works out and that you and Miss Barnett continue to be happy together.”

  “You’re welcome. Have a wonderful day, Father.” I end the call and immediately inform Sam of this development and my plan to add most of the corpus to the fund we created. His response via text was simply “Wow!”

  I have never heard my father take a stance in opposition to my mother. Now he has done it twice in the last week. Since I found Noelle, I can’t understand how a loveless marriage could work long-term. Just before lunch, I stop by Stacy’s office for an update.