Geoff narrowed his gaze. “That’s what I want.”
“Here’s the thing. It’s not what I want.” Vince stepped into his father’s space, well aware that they were drawing attention from the people around them. “I wanted to do this my way. I’d worked hard for years to bring this business to a place where it was going to do good. You didn’t care about it. Didn’t care about what I wanted. Your goal was to what? Screw Simon over? Give him a company that he wouldn’t know what to do with and then watch him fail?”
“Something like that.” Geoff pulled back slightly. “Step back, Son.”
“No.” Vince sucked in a breath. “I’m done with this. With your games. Ever since Mom left us—”
“I told you never to mention her—”
“—you’ve been a hateful sonofabitch. I’m your son. I was there picking you up when you were too drunk to drive home. Running interference at the company when you were too depressed to come in. I’ve done everything for you, and all you’ve done in return is try and make my life miserable.”
“That girl was after your money. You’re a fool if you think otherwise.”
“That’s my mistake to make. I’m not some child who can’t figure out my own life. I haven’t been since I had to learn to look after you.” The more Vince spoke, the lower his voice got, the angrier he was. “My relationship with Marissa has nothing to do with you.”
“You’re a bigger fool than I thought.”
“Maybe. Or maybe it took me this long to realize that I was becoming just like you.”
He’d been terrified of having a relationship, a real one, for years. Even his time with Thea hadn’t been without him putting up barriers, keeping her at arm’s length to ensure he wouldn’t experience what his father had.
The muscle in Geoff’s jaw jumped, but he said nothing.
“When Thea left me, I thought you were right, that we weren’t meant for a real relationship. But you’re wrong. I had that with Marissa. And while I don’t know if she’ll take me back, I’m going to do whatever I can to make sure I don’t become the bitter, angry man you are.”
“She was using you.”
“No, she wasn’t. She was showing me that even if life throws you for a loop, that doesn’t mean you have to give in to the hate. Her life had been turned upside down by someone she loved, and she didn’t let it destroy her. She was still kind to strangers, stood up for herself and others. Marissa is amazing and I’m lucky to have had her in my life.”
Vince stepped back. He needed to end this once and for all, so he could finally move on. “You tried to take that from me. I know it was you who called her ex, who tried to ruin everything.”
Geoff’s shoulder dropped. “I was doing it for your own good.”
“No, you were doing it for yours. So now, you’re going to come into the office and you’re going to sign the papers. We’re selling GreenPro, and we’re ending all business ties with one another.”
“It sounds like you’re getting rid of me for good.” It was strange, but Geoff sounded scared.
Vince shook his head. “I’m separating myself. Only time will tell if we can fix this, but I’m not going to allow myself to be held hostage any longer.”
“And if I refuse?”
“I’ll sue.” Vince had hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but he was prepared to go the distance if need be. “It’s your choice.”
Geoff stared at him for a moment, before pushing past him and striding into the office. “Fine. Let’s do this.”
Stu was on his feet, throwing Vince a look before sitting back down. “Do you want to see the terms Vince and I discussed?”
“I assume my son is competent enough to sell off a single company.” He pulled the papers from Stu’s lawyer and began signing and initialing the pages. When he was done, he tossed the pen onto the desk.
Vince leaned in and reviewed the papers. Everything, Geoff had done everything he’d needed and Vince was now free. “Thank you.”
His father didn’t move, but Vince could tell he was overwhelmed. “We have nothing tying us together.”
“Financially, no we don’t.” He couldn’t speculate what would happen to their relationship going forward.
Geoff gave him another look before leaving. Relief washed over Vince and for the first time in weeks, he felt as though things were finally going to settle. “Sorry about that.”
Stu shrugged. “We all have some sort of family drama. I’m just happy to be benefiting from yours.” He then pulled out a second set of papers.
This had been what he’d been after. A chance to do what he wanted with the company. “This outlines everything?”
“It does. You’ll be a mostly silent partner, equal shares with myself. I’ll run the day to day stuff, and you can help keep things in the media when we need it to be. The money from your part of the sale to us will be put into the company.”
“Perfect.” Vince turned and signed the papers. “This means a lot to me, Stu.”
“It’s a brilliant idea. I hope we’ll be able to roll it out to cities around the country starting by the end of this year.”
They shook hands and Vince waited for them to pack up and leave before letting himself finally relax. “Excellent. Keep me in the loop and let me know what I can do to help.”
Caroline stepped into the office once everyone had left. “Did it work?”
“All done.” He wasn’t sure how is father would react when he learned the truth, but at this point, Vince didn’t care.
She smiled. “Good. Because you have another appointment to get to.”
“What? Where?”
“I’ve called the car. They’ll be able to get you there in time if you leave right now.” She was trying to contain her excitement about something, which wasn’t a good sign for him. “Go.”
“Dare I ask what’s going on?”
“Nope. Have fun.”
Vince had long ago learned not to argue with Caroline. Instead, he grabbed his jacket and did as he was told.
Chapter 26
Marissa sat in the middle of the empty movie theatre with a gigantic bag of popcorn in her lap and listened to the sound of footsteps approaching. She knew it was Vince without looking. Not only could she tell from the sound of his confident stride making its way toward her, but besides her and the projectionist, no one else knew the theatre was open.
She didn’t look over when he made his way down the aisle and sat beside her. Instead, she held out her popcorn. “Want some?”
“Is it fresh?” He took a handful before she answered.
“Yup, I made it myself.” She snuck a glance at him, and her heart raced. He looked relaxed, happy. Not stressed in the way he had back at the condo.
“You work here?” He tossed a piece into his mouth. “I thought you were a waitress?”
“I am. And no, I don’t work here. But they’d left everything I needed to make the popcorn out for me. The rest I figured out.”
The theatre was old, and normally used for special screenings of older movies. She’d come here a number of times over the years, normally with friends late on a Friday or Saturday night. The seats were old, wider than their modern counterparts, and there was more than ample leg room between the rows. But despite that, she held herself still, contained. Vince had come, but she wasn’t sure exactly how to move forward from here.
So, they ate popcorn in the dim light.
Vince reached over for another handful, clearing his throat softly. “Did you see my interview?”
“I did.” She placed the bag on the chair arm between them, making it easier to share. “I was curious about the bursary.”
He nodded. “I’ve setup three different ones, at three of the colleges. You’re not the only person out there who was trying to live and go to school. One is at your college.”
Her face heated. “I saw that.”
“Don’t think that you’ll be the first recipient. It’s up to the college selection committee to choose who gets it.”
“So, you’re not trying to bribe me. That’s good.”
“Marissa…no. I never want you to feel that you owe me. Never that.”
“I don’t.” She cocked her head slightly. “I saw your pin.”
“I was hoping you might notice that.” He shifted, turned more toward her. “I know I said it on tape, but I wanted to say it again. I’m sorry for what I’d said to you. You didn’t deserve being pushed aside. You didn’t deserve me not listening to what you were trying to say to me. You didn’t deserve being used as a pawn in any of this.”
When she reached over for another handful of popcorn, he placed his hand on hers. Marissa finally looked up at him, her breath catching in her throat when she saw unshed tears in his eyes.
He swallowed, before dipping his head. “Everything about us, about our relationship has been unconventional. That scared me for a long time. I’d promised myself that I would never become a man like my father. Seeing him devolve from a family man who worked hard, to an angry, resentful man who wanted others to be as miserable as him, broke my heart. It also pissed me off, because he was making excuses for unacceptable behavior.”
“I know it’s nothing to do with me, but I am sorry you both had to go through that. It’s hard to hold yourself together when someone you loved has betrayed you that way.”
“You did.” He reached over and cupped her face. “Not only did you not allow yourself to become broken, you took charge and figured out a way to make your life better.”
“I joined a sugar daddy site.”
“And I’ll be forever grateful that you did.” He let his hand slip from her cheek and she instantly missed the contact. “I’m sorry for how I treated you. It won’t happen again.”
They were only words, and Marissa knew that despite his sincerity, it would take time to rebuild the trust they’d created. But she knew he would. Because despite their differences, the complete opposite ends of the social spectrum that they came from, when they were together, they were simply Marissa and Vince, strange friends and lovers.
She picked up the popcorn and placed it on the floor as she stood. “I wasn’t sure if you were going to come, but I had the projectionist get ready just in case.”
“I think Caroline would have killed me if I’d refused. Not that I would have if I’d realized I was meeting you.”
“A girl has to have some fun.” She got a wave from the booth, and the lights in the theater were lowered. “Ah, there we go.” Before she took her seat again, she flicked up the arm rest between their seats and leaned up against him.
“Dare I ask what we’re watching?”
“Empire Strikes Back. These guys have it set up so we can show DVDs on the big screen. The owner is a regular at the Pear Tree, so I was able to pull some strings.” She snuggled in as he wrapped his arm around her. “I’m so excited to see your reaction.”
The fanfare blared through the speakers so loud, Marissa almost missed the soft kiss and words Vince spoke against her head. “I love you.”
She almost, almost, said “I know.”
Instead she looked up at him and smiled. “I love you too. Now shut up and watch this.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
* * * *
Vince hadn’t been this excited in a long while. Marissa was draped on his arm as they walked down the street. After the movie had ended, neither of them had wanted the evening to end, and he’d suggested getting dinner. Marissa was still talking about the movie and with each passing moment he fell more in love.
“And I nearly said ‘I know’ when you told me you loved me, but then I realized that you wouldn’t have gotten the reference. Which would have totally sucked.” She laughed and her entire being appeared to glow.
“You can tell me I know, all you want now.”
She laughed. “Naw, it’s a bit corny. Though I might start calling you a scoundrel.”
He leaned in and kissed her temple. “I like the sound of that.”
It had taken him a surprisingly short amount of time to realize that’s what he’d been feeling for quite some time. It wasn’t until he saw her sitting in the theatre with her crazy-large bag of popcorn that he knew it was love. Marissa was unstoppable, unbreakable, and far too good for him.
“What are you in the mood for?” He pulled her a bit closer to him. “I know a great sushi place around here.”
“Oh, I love sushi. Yes please.”
He was about to lead her to the crosswalk, when a group of five approached them. One was already pointing, which meant he’d been recognized. “We’re about to be accosted.”
She frowned, until she caught sight of the group. “Oh. This happens a lot?”
“I don’t normally walk down the street with my girlfriend. This is a new one for me.” Normally, he’d do whatever was in his power to avoid something like this. “Do you want to avoid them?”
Marissa looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Not unless you do.”
“Well then, get ready to be introduced to the world, because you’re about to go viral.”
A woman who didn’t appear to be much older than Marissa was the first to approach. “I’m sorry, are you Vince Taylor?”
Vince nodded and gave Marissa’s arm a little squeeze. “I am.”
The girl’s eyes widened as her gaze slipped to Marissa. “So, that means you’re the woman?”
Marissa blushed and chuckled. “I guess I am.”
“Oh wow.” She turned and beckoned the group over. “Can we get our picture taken with you? Because no one will believe us if we don’t.”
Marissa shrugged. “Sure. I’m not someone famous though.”
“Dude, everyone wants to know who you are. Actually,” she turned around and held up her camera. “Guess what people. She forgave him!”
Marissa laughed and turned her face into his chest. “He was really sweet and yeah.”
The group cheered and the girl turned off her camera. “Awesome. I hope you guys are happy.”
Vince pulled Marissa closer, and kissed the top of her head once again. “She’s made me happier than anything in the world.”
The group waved as they parted and Vince led them toward the restaurant. Marissa had shifted so she was now holding his hand. “Do I really?”
“What?”
“Make you happier than anything in the world?” She flexed her fingers against his. “You have boats—”
“Yachts.”
“—and planes, and you’re a millionaire—”
“Multimillionaire.”
“—who can have anything in the world. Honestly, I’m the one thing that makes you happy.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He stopped walking and turned her so she was looking right at him. “Because you’re the first person to see me as Vince. Not the man on television. Not the guy in the gossip pages. Not the asshole business man. You see me as me. And I love that about you. I love you.”
Marissa hesitated for a moment, before throwing her arms around his neck, and kissed him. “I love you too. So much.”
Wrapping his arm around her, they started walking once more. “Why don’t we eat and talk about what you need so you can concentrate on your courses. Then we’ll go back to my place and we can figure out the rest of the important stuff.”
“Like what?”
“Like can I make you come more than twice in an evening.”
Marissa burst out laughing. “I don’t know if even the great Vince Taylor can do that.”
“Challenge accepted.”
It was going to be sweet living his life with her.
Epil
ogue
“Did you deactivate the account?” Vince’s voice echoed from the kitchen, along with the scent of pizza.
Marissa had a craving, but things were still too hot for the two of them to be seen in public as a couple, so delivery pizza had been their best option. The buzz around Toronto had been crazy when the video of the two of them together had gone viral two weeks before. She’d had to quit her job at the Pear Tree because her presence was way too much of a distraction.
“Working on it.” She’d just managed to log in when her cell phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hi, baby.”
“Mom. What’s going on? Did another reporter call you again?”
The sigh that came through the receiver was overly dramatic. “Oh, you know these reporters. They want nothing more than to sweet talk me into telling them all about how cute you were as a kid.”
Marissa groaned. “God, please don’t show them the red rubber boot picture.”
Her mom laughed. “Never. Though I should probably show Vince when you bring him over for dinner.”
The words Marissa had been planning to say died in her mouth. She’d talked to her mom over the past few weeks since everything happened, and they’d come to an understanding. Her mom promised to give Vince a chance, to do her best to ignore how they’d met, and to treat this the same as any other relationship. But dinner? “I wasn’t sure you’d want to meet him yet.”
“The girls and I down at the church watched that video of his. The one where he’s begging for forgiveness.”
“Well, he wasn’t exactly begging—”
“Darling, that was some high-class groveling. But that wasn’t what changed my mind about him.”
“It wasn’t?” She couldn’t imagine what her mom saw that she hadn’t. “What did?”
“His smile.” There was a wistfulness in her voice. “Your father used to look at me like that all the time.”
Marissa hadn’t heard her mom speak of her father since she was a child. His death had hit her particularly hard, and Marissa had learned early on not to talk about him if she didn’t want to see her mom cry. Marissa had to swallow past the growing lump in her throat. “He did?”
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