by Katy Kaylee
Logan turned his iPhone on and sighed at the sheer number of messages and emails that came up in the alerts. He skimmed through the emails, nothing dire, but from the texts, it looked as if his top salesman was having a bit of a meltdown back in the New York office. Logan grabbed his bag and hurried off the plane, stopping right outside the gate.
He dialed the office and waited. “Hey, Gina, this is Logan. I got a ton of messages from Tony. Figured I would call back. Is he available?”
The secretary put him on hold, but only for a second. Tony answered and immediately launched into a dramatic diatribe of rhetoric concerning one of their biggest advertisers. Logan took in a deep breath. “Tony, calm down. What does our company handle?”
Tony cleared his throat. “A multitude of extraordinarily successful millennial apps and an online publication.”
Logan nodded. “And what were our numbers last month?”
Tony grumped. “We got more views than Time Magazine Online.”
Logan chuckled. “That’s right. We have worked our asses off for this. I spent six months at that slave driving internship with Bloomburg, and knew there was a better way to do business. Four years later we are one of the most lucrative and popular technological firms in the country. Take it one day at a time, okay? I want you to do a quick look over of the client’s portfolio, put together some ideas to get them back, and I’ll check back with you before the end of the day.”
Tony had calmed down. “Right. Thanks, boss. You always pull me from the noose.”
Logan smiled, looking up to see Jordan standing there staring at him. “That’s what I’m here for. I’ll call you later.”
Logan hung up the call and Jordan grinned from ear to ear, walking toward him with his arms wide. “Logan, brother, it’s so good to see you.”
Logan put down his bag and hugged Jordan tightly. “Man, you too. It’s been too long since the last visit.”
Jordan pulled away, nodding. “Hell yes it has, but you are a crazy successful entrepreneur with handsewn suits by the elves in the valleys of the Alps.”
Logan looked down at his custom suit and laughed. “Yeah, you know, gotta help the gnome economy.”
Jordan shook his head. “Come on, let’s get your bags, I’ve got a car waiting outside for us.”
The guys grabbed Logan’s bags and headed outside, where the attendant handed Jordan the keys to the BMW parked on the curb. They threw the bags into the trunk and headed off toward Jordan’s house. As they drove through the warm California air, Jordan looked over at him and smirked. “Man, I can’t tell you how good it feels to have you back in town. I’ve been having best friend withdrawal.”
Logan leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “I’ve been having fresh air withdrawal.”
Jordan scoffed. “If you think LA has fresh air, I know you’ve got your head in the New York City smog. Why didn’t you bring the jet this time?”
Logan shrugged. “Just wanted a normal flight. Besides, with the new office opening out here, I let the guys who will be running it bring the jet over. A ‘thank you’ for moving all the way across the country.”
Jordan gave him a side glance. “You should be one of those guys. I need you here to keep me grounded in married life. The wedding planning is already driving me nuts.”
Logan chuckled. “How is Melissa? I missed her last time I was here. I think she was off at a work retreat or something.”
“She’s fantastic, and still putting up with my ass after almost five years. That’s a big feat. When she said yes, I knew I was just inches away from locking her in so she couldn’t change her mind.”
Logan laughed. “That’s right, trick a girl into forever. That works well. No, I’m just messing with you. Melissa loves the hell out of you. I’m really happy for you guys.”
Logan put on a pleased face, and he was happy for his friend, but there was still a bit of jealousy and bitterness that sat in the pit of his stomach. Part of him blamed the family for him not being able to let them in on him and Amber, which had made things a lot harder for them. Then again, it had been a half a decade ago, and he had reunited and mended relationships with all of them except Amber. She had made sure to not be anywhere around when he came to visit.
They pulled up to a stoplight and Jordan took his glasses off. “You know, I was thinking. Maybe since you’re going to be staying out here for a while, you could rekindle your romance with that girl from before. You know, the one who broke your damn heart into a thousand pieces and sent you sneaking off in the middle of the night. The one you never got over.”
Logan took in a deep breath, pushing back the feeling in his chest. “Dude, I got over her a long time ago, trust me. I have been too busy building a company to worry about relationships. Besides, I’m not staying out here, just getting the new office up and running and then I’m going back to New York. If she didn’t want long distance before, that’s not going to change now. I don’t need the distraction of something that will never work out. Besides, I’m pretty sure she would never agree to meet with me. I left and didn’t really even say goodbye, just poof, gone. I deserve whatever anger she still has toward me.”
Jordan rolled his eyes. “I don’t agree with that. It’s been almost five years, bro. If that girl is holding onto that animosity after this long, then that means she is still in love with you. She’s just hiding it behind anger.”
Logan looked out the window at the passing busy streets. “That one is long ago over and buried, and I’m not going to dig it up and hurt her again. She has avoided me at all costs, and if that is how she feels, then I will respect that.”
Jordan shrugged. “Hey, it was just a suggestion. I like to see you happy and that was a point in your life when you really seemed upbeat and proud. Not that you don’t now, but I think you traded your love for her for a love of business and everything tech. The only problem with that is those things don’t love you back.”
Logan chuckled. “Sure they do; it’s called a multi-million dollar corporation, private jet, and huge bank account.”
Jordan gave him a half smile. “Yeah, I suppose. It is funny, though. I feel like we switched places in life. You were the thinker and I was the wild man. Now I’m the family man and you are all sorts of single and loving to be that way.”
“No ties to bind me, bro. That’s how I need it. Not because I’m some man whore like you were, but because I need to focus on what I have in front of me. Besides, New York women are some kind of hard to read.”
Jordan wrinkled his nose. “No way. I love that Melissa tells it like it is. She doesn’t hold back. Sometimes it can be interesting, but I never have to guess how she feels or what’s on her mind.”
Logan shook his head. “You are the only man in the world with that gift.”
Logan made light of the situation, but in the back of his mind he couldn’t help but think about the time he had spent with Amber. From the first night making love unexpectedly, to the sneaking around with each other, and the way that magnetic pull between them blew his mind. It had been the most exciting, and most terrible experience of his life. He hadn’t felt that way about another girl since, and he was pretty positive that he wouldn’t ever feel that way again. Amber was one of a kind, almost like they were made for each other. The pull between them was unbelievable.
Just being back in LA, seeing the familiar sites, he felt like he could hear her voice right there in the car.
Amber had been standing in her parents’ house, looking sparkling and radiant, flirting with him in the corner where no one else could hear. “I saw you standing across the room in that suit, being sweet to an old lady, and my first thought was how could I get you upstairs to my bed without anyone noticing. Oh, the things I would do…”
Suddenly Jordan slapped Logan on the arm, bringing him out of the day dream. “You know what I’m saying? It’s nuts, really it is. My dad’s pretty much given me full control, but he still struggles to let go. He is there every day, just ki
nd of wandering around until someone asks him for help. His eyes light up like a Christmas tree. He wanted me to originally take his office, but after watching his eyes fill with sadness every time he walked in with no desk to sit behind, I gave in and had them bring up another identical one so that we could share the space. It seemed to make him happy.”
Logan smiled. “Your dad will never fully let go, but now that I own my own company, I can’t lie; I kind of understand why he feels that way. You kill yourself creating your dream, and no matter who it is, no matter how much you trust them, handing over the reins is difficult. I’m sweating just thinking about leaving this new LA office alone without me.”
Jordan nodded, letting Logan know he hadn’t noticed his absenteeism. He let out a quiet sigh and glanced up at the gate to the house. The memories there were almost unbearable.
27
Amber
“Come here you little monster.” Amber laughed as she chased Bradley down the hall of her apartment.
“Nooo,” he screamed, playfully.
She grabbed him around the waist and flipped him over in her arms, tickling him wildly. “We have to get ready to go. Remember, I have a surprise for you.”
She took him back into the room and sat him on the bed, putting on the socks that he had pulled off three times already. “I want to stay and play with my trains.”
She sat back and looked at him, his facial expression sending sparks of recognition to her chest. She brushed it off and grabbed his shoe. “How about I tell you what the surprise is, and then we’ll see if you change your mind?”
He crossed his little four-year-old arms indignantly. “Okay.”
Amber smirked and Velcroed his shoe closed. “We’re going to the set at the studio to watch Auntie Taylor film her first ever scene with the new television show.”
Bradley’s eyes lit up. “I love going to the studio!”
Amber giggled, putting on his other shoe. “I know. I thought you would like that.”
He reached over and grabbed his teddy bear, hugging it close. “I get to see PawPaw. I love PawPaw!”
Amber loved hearing that. Bradley had a connection with her dad that warmed her heart. Though, sometimes, she wondered if it was because Bradley’s dad wasn’t in the picture. Either way, it was good for Bradley and for her dad; she had seen her father soften over the years with her son in the picture.
She held up his sweatshirt jacket and he jumped down, turning and putting his arms in the sleeves. “I think Pawpaw is going to be even happier to see you then you are to see him.”
Bradley turned around with a warm smile. “’Cause he loves me?”
Amber tapped him on the nose. “That he does and how could anyone not? You are the brightest, handsomest, cutest little boy in the whole world.”
He stood up straight and pulled his coat closed seriously. “I am handsome. I’m a big boy.”
She chuckled and stood up. “You are, you are. I wish you weren’t, but you are a big boy now. So big, in fact, that I know you can be very, very quiet when shooting starts on set, right? We want them to only take it once, and then we want to make Auntie Taylor feel sooo special.”
He nodded his head, still clutching the teddy. “Can I take my teddy?”
Amber smiled and put her hand down for him to hold. “Of course you can. Come, on, let’s go grab the car and head over.”
They made their way down the condo complex and into the parking garage, where Bradley hopped into his car seat and Amber buckled him in. They rode along, listening to the Sesame Street soundtrack and singing loudly. The gate guard at the studio chuckled as they drove into the parking lot, waving them through. Amber parked and pulled Bradley out of his seat, carrying him inside on her hip.
When they got there, Taylor was just about to do her part. Amber looked at Bradley and put her finger to his lips. He buried his mouth in his teddy and waved at Taylor. She waved back and then pulled down on the blue Armani power suit she was using for the scene. It was a law drama, one that had been on for a couple of years, and Taylor had been cast for the new main part.
“The legal ramifications of this case are enormous. There hasn’t been a person in the last thirty years that got off with this much damaging evidence against them,” Taylor said walking around the supposed criminal.
The guy, handcuffed to a table, shook his head angrily. “But I swear to God, I didn’t do it. It was a set up and I can prove it.”
Taylor turned to him and put out her hands. “Well, go ahead, then.”
He slowly looked up at the camera. “Talk to Senator Krenshaw. You might find that he has more blood on his hands than anyone else.”
The camera shifted over to Taylor’s face as her mouth dropped open slightly. The director walked forward and clapped his board together. “And cut! Excellent job, Taylor. All right, everyone, let’s take a lunch break and then come back for the evening scene in the apartment. Taylor, make sure you go over to wardrobe before that.”
Taylor gave him a thumb’s up and hurried across the set, holding her hands out to Bradley. “Come here and give me some kisses!”
She buried her face in Bradley’s neck and blew a raspberry. He giggled and looked up at her, grabbing her face with his little hands. “You did great!”
She laughed, surprised at his grown up reaction. “Well, that’s all I ever needed to hear. Career made.”
Amber laughed and kissed Taylor on the cheek. “He’s right. You did fantastic. You are a natural out there. When I heard you were taking this part, I knew you would be perfect for it.”
Taylor laughed and rolled her eyes. “You think? Ugh, it’s so nerve wracking. Come on, let’s grab food from the craft services table.”
They walked over and got some plates of food, setting Bradley down on the floor to eat the donut and grapes he had picked out. Taylor turned and looked at Amber. “So, how are you? I feel like we never talk anymore. Anything new with the job search?”
Amber shook her finger, swallowing a grape. “Actually, yes. This new company called RiverRun Technologies actually called me back. I just got the call this morning, and they want me to come in for an interview as soon as possible.”
Taylor’s eyes went wide and she grabbed Amber’s arm. “Oh my God, Amber, that is so great. Seriously. I mean you deserve it. You worked so hard getting your degree. Taking care of a baby, doing all those online courses, and finishing with your MBA early, it’s impressive.”
Amber took in a deep breath. “Thank you. I mean, it’s been a struggle, that’s for sure, but one day I will own my own company. Until then, though I need some practical experience, and I wanted to do it outside of the production company. You know, pave my own way.”
Taylor nodded. “I totally understand. You’ve always been that way, though, and I love that about you. So, when did you apply to this company?”
Amber chuckled. “Actually, I sent my application in there the day before yesterday.”
“Holy crap, they must really want you,” Taylor said, impressed.
Amber shook her head. “I mean, of course I hope that’s why they’re calling back that fast. I really tried to make my resume as impressive as I could for having no real practical experience, except for the internship I did with my dad. At the same time, though, they’re apparently under a larger company based in New York, but they didn’t reveal who that is. They’re opening a brand new branch out here in LA and are pretty desperate for help. The woman told me they went through hundreds of resumes in just a couple of days because the boss is very picky about who they bring in.”
Taylor nudged her. “See? That’s a good sign. They’re picky, but they still called you back right away. And don’t scoff at that internship, they don’t know you’re his daughter, and he worked you. I remember. Having that on your resume is like a golden ticket. This company is highly respected in business because your father is like a genius when it comes to numbers.”
Amber nodded. “You’ve got that straight. H
e hasn’t ever hired an accountant, not even to do the taxes. The man is like a genius when it comes to that stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I know that I was incredibly lucky to have that opportunity at my fingertips. I took it without hesitation because of that. And him being my dad pretty much made the internship ten times harder than any other one would have been. My father wanted to make sure I understood every nook and cranny of the business side of things.”
Taylor looked up at the clock. “I’m proud as hell of you. When you told me you were pregnant, I saw the despair in your eyes. But you made it all work out so well. And Bradley, oh my God, he is like the best kid ever.”
Amber looked over at him and giggled, watching him airplane a grape into his mouth. “I know, right? I was lucky. Then again, I pretty much had the best support in the world. This job interview is a good thing, though. It’s time I took my life into my own hands and moved forward with it. It was amazing being able to be his full-time mom the last four years, but I am going to eventually have to be mom and dad too. I think that’s what is making me so nervous about this interview. That, and I am positive I’m going to go in there and freeze up. I‘m going to just start spitting out random words.”
Taylor laughed. “Hello, Miss Stark, can you tell me about your experience? Uh…frog leg.”
Amber chuckled, covering her mouth and nodding. “Yes, that is exactly what will happen.”
Taylor rolled her eyes. “Not in a million years would that happen. You always get so nervous about stuff like this, and then you wow the interviewer. You remember when you were sixteen and you wanted to work at that frozen yogurt place?”
Amber threw her head back. “Oh my God, yes.”
Taylor was laughing hard. “You launched into an explanation of the Spanish War and somehow tied it to customer service. The guy hired you because he didn’t know how to tell you no. You were so smart you froze his brain.”