“There isn’t one. Jackson’s hoping to keep the company private for as long as possible, so I’ll get twenty percent of the net profit.”
“That man is in love with you. Has he told you that?”
I shake my head. “He’s made noises, but I think he thinks he is in love with me. It’s probably short-lived.”
Gabby sighs loudly. “You deserve to be loved—even by a drop-dead gorgeous billionaire. Don’t walk away so easily.”
“We’ll see.” I look at the clock on the wall. “We need to have some lunch by the pool, if you’re interested. Otherwise, Brian should be looking for you to get you to the heliport in a little over an hour. Jackson and I did this tour when we came on our first visit. It’s stunning to see places you can’t get to by car or by foot. You’ll love it.”
She kisses me on the forehead. “I’ll just grab something from Leilani in the kitchen. See you tonight at dinner.”
I nod. “I’m buying.”
“Of course you are. You just told me you were a millionaire.” She winks at me and waves as she goes in search of Damien and Brian.
I text Jackson as I watch her go.
Me: Gabby and Damien made it okay. They’re off for the helicopter ride.
I take a deep breath and think for a moment about what Gabby said. Maybe I’m not giving Jackson the chance he deserves. I return to my phone and add how I really feel, which I don’t usually offer until he’s offered it first.
Me: I wish you were here.
My phone rings, and it’s him. “You wish I was there?” he asks.
“I do,” I say in a low voice.
“That makes me very happy. I should make sure Gabby and Damien come more often.”
“She’s ready to move in.”
He laughs. “You’ve done such a great job with the renovations that I think most of the players are going to be looking for me to lose the estate once they visit.”
“That will be tough if you lose it.”
“I’m not even considering it.” He’s silent a moment. “Not only did I just barely win it, but we have good memories there that I want to preserve.”
“I agree, but I’m partial, given all the work I’ve done here.”
He changes the subject. “Dinner tonight with Gabby and Damien?”
“That’s the plan. I can call you after, if you’d like.”
“Whatever,” he says.
“Alright. Talk to you later.”
His seeming lack of interest feeds right into my fears about him, but I force myself to set it aside. We’re thousands of miles apart. Who knows what else he has going on… Right?
Rather than focus on it, I turn my attention to my latest project until Brian lets me know he’s ready to leave for dinner.
“Crap. I need to change, but I’ll be right there.” I run upstairs and go crashing through my closet, looking for my cute come-hither sandals.
Shit! Where did I put them?
I look under the bed, in the other bedroom, and both bathrooms, but I can’t find them, so I grab another pair of cute-enough sandals and run out the door.
“We’ll only be a few minutes late,” I say, looking at Brian.
He nods.
When we arrive, Brian drops me, then goes to park the car before he joins me in the restaurant.
I sit down at the table, a bit frazzled. “Sorry I’m late. Couldn’t find my sandals.”
“Hawaiian life doesn’t require shoes,” Gabby says with a laugh.
I nod. “Mostly that’s true. How was your helicopter tour today? What did you think?”
“Oh my God!” Gabby begins.
For the rest of the evening, I’m regaled with stories of what they saw and discovered.
As we’re served dessert, Damien becomes very serious. “I’ve asked everyone but you,” he tells me. “You know I love this beautiful woman very much and have since I met her when she was twenty.”
“At least it was legal,” I snark, and we all laugh.
He grins and grasps her hand, and I see a stunning new ring on her finger.
“Holy crap!”
I start to get very excited, but Damien interrupts. “Would you mind if I married your best friend? I promise never to come between you and love you like the sister-in-law you pretty much are.”
I jump up from the table and run around to hug them. “I’m so excited for both of you. It’s about time.”
Damien looks at me. “You haven’t answered the question.”
“Of course the answer is yes! Any guy who’d follow two girls across the country, leaving a good job where he was on track for partnership, and start over, and who showers my best friend with gifts, love, and support gets my vote. “
We spend the rest of the night doing some wedding planning.
“Do you think Jackson would mind if we had it at the estate?” Gabby asks.
“I can ask him. I’m not sure what his plans are for it. There’s always the possibility that he’ll lose it the same way it was won.”
Gabby’s face falls.
“He assures me he’s not going to, though.” I’m so happy for them. I knew this was coming; I just didn’t know when. “I will ask him when I talk to him tonight.”
We finally return to the estate, and I send them off to bed, grateful I’m on the other side of the house.
I call Jackson, and the phone goes to voice mail, so I leave a message. “Sorry I missed you. Gabby and Damien are engaged. They’re hoping you’ll allow them to marry here on the cliffs. Call me tomorrow. Miss you.”
When I wake the next morning, there’s a text from Jackson.
Jackson: Sorry I missed you last night. I fell asleep. Congratulations to Gabby and Damien, and of course they can marry at the Halona Moana. I’m off to the factory in Ohio shortly. We’ll talk soon.
I’m happy I’ve heard from him, but I’m disappointed he can’t talk. I wonder what’s going on that he needs to go to Ohio.
I manage to enjoy the rest of the weekend with Gabby and Damien. We have plenty of pool time and find a beautiful sandy beach. The temperatures are in the mid-70s, so the locals think we’re crazy, but we don’t mind. For early-May, it’s warm to us.
As Gabby and Damien board the plane to leave late Sunday night, I talk to Matt, the pilot, for a moment.
“How was Ohio?” I ask him.
He looks at me funny. “I was here all weekend and haven’t been to Ohio in ages.”
My heart stops. Where did Jackson go if he wasn’t in Ohio?
I feel like an idiot. I shouldn’t have listened to Gabby. I’ve watched him distance himself these last few weeks. I’m yesterday’s news. He’s moving on without me.
I can’t stop myself.
Me: Gabby and Damien just left. How did you get to Ohio?
Jackson: Checking up on me?
I’m not going to answer. I just put the phone away and head into the kitchen.
“What’s wrong?” Leilani asks.
I paint a smile on my face. “I’m fine. Just missing my friends. Their visit reminded me of how much they mean to me.”
Leilani looks at me. “And selfishly, I want you to move here for a while.”
“You’re so sweet.”
She hands me a mug of hot cocoa, and I thank her before heading up to my room.
Twenty minutes later, there’s a knock at my door. I open it to find Brian standing there.
“Is everything alright?” I ask.
“Mr. Graham couldn’t reach you, so he wanted me to check on you.”
I’m completely horrified. “I’m sorry, Brian. I left my phone down in the library. I’ll go get it and call Mr. Graham.”
“No problem.” He turns and walks down the hall with me.
“Please apologize to Melinda. I’m sure she’s not very happy that he dragged you out of bed.”
“I’m still working. The invisible fence went off again.”
“Why do you think that keeps happening?”
�
�We’re remaining vigilant, but we think it’s a critter.”
I nod. When we reach the library, I pull the phone out of the drawer I stuffed it in. Twelve missed calls. I look at the text messages.
Jackson: Just kidding. You can check up on me all you want.
Jackson: I’m at the Marriott in Blue Ash, Ohio. Call the switchboard or information. I’m in my room.
Jackson: I keep trying you. I’m sorry. I was only teasing.
Jackson: I flew with Mason Sullivan on his jet. Please talk to me.
Jackson: I’m sending Brian to you if you don’t respond.
I take a deep breath and dial his number. I’m ready to get yelled at for not responding to him.
“I’m sorry,” he says in greeting.
“I left the phone in the library and went to bed. You didn’t have to get Brian up to come to check on me.”
“Well, I was only teasing, and then it occurred to me that you’d talked to the flight crew and couldn’t figure out how I got to Ohio.”
“I’m sorry you couldn’t reach me. I just figured you were unhappy I was asking.”
“I wasn’t unhappy; I just wasn’t funny.”
“Usually you’re funny.”
“I do try, but I missed the mark.”
“Why did you go to Ohio?”
He spends the next half hour telling me about a manufacturing problem. “Your stock options may dip in value.”
“I don’t care about that. You can have your fifteen percent back, and I’m fine with my five percent.”
I hear him take a deep breath. “I want you to have everything of mine.”
“I know you think you do, but in six months or even a year, you’ll change your mind.”
He doesn’t respond.
“Thanks for bringing Gabby and Damien out,” I say after a moment. “We really had a great time together.”
“What did they think of the Big Island suite?”
“They liked it.”
“Jim just pulled up in a car with Mason. Can I call you later?”
“I’m here at your disposal.”
“Miss you, I can’t wait—” And the line goes dead.
It’s six o’clock in the morning in Ohio, and his workday is just starting. I’m determined to get some sleep before I check in with this week’s temp.
Chapter 35
Jackson
We’re in the home stretch. Corrine has worked the last month and a half from Maui, and I’m ready to see her every day—not just every other weekend. I’m not leaving Hawaii without her. She’s done a fantastic job organizing the poker tournament, and I know it will be crazy for her while everyone is here, so I’ve flown in with San Francisco sourdough bread, her favorite chocolates, and a dozen roses. I’d give her more jewelry if I didn’t think it would send her packing.
Right now, she’s meeting with an event person to bring in hula dancers for the luau we’re planning for the first night, so Brian picked me up on his own. I watch the scenery as he drives me away from the airport, and I’m surprised by what I see. Usually Corrine has my attention, and I’m not watching the landscape.
I’ve made dinner reservations in town at a quiet restaurant Leilani recommended, and I’m more than ready to enjoy some time with Corrine. I’m tired of not being in the same city and not happy we still don’t have answers about who’s been harassing her.
When we arrive at the house, I see her outside with a man I don’t recognize and one of the groundskeepers.
“Hello!” I call as I walk over.
“Hey, look who’s here,” Corrine says with a big grin.
I put my arm around her, pull her in close, and kiss her temple.
“We were worried we’d need a tent for the luau, but we may not. Either way we’ll watch the weather, and if we do, it’ll go here.” She motions to where we’re standing. “And behind us is where they’ll dance. The hope is to get most of the guests up and doing the hula.”
I chuckle. “That may take a few mai tais.”
“I’ve got you covered,” Corrine says with a wink and a smile.
I’m introduced to Marty, the man standing with them, who’s the dance company salesperson. We talk for a few more minutes, but once he heads out and the groundskeeper goes back to his job, I finally have Corrine to myself—and in person. “You look absolutely stunning this evening.”
She kisses me, and my cock is alert. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’m going to show you how much I missed you later tonight, but Leilani made some dinner reservations for us.”
“I’m ready to go whenever you are.” Corrine curtsies, and it only makes me want to take her up to our room and have my way with her. I can’t believe I’m this way around her. I’ve never wanted or needed someone like I do her.
“Let me drop my bag and change into a Hawaiian shirt so I can blend in.”
“I’ll be in the library waiting for you.”
“You could come with me, you know.” I wiggle my eyebrows.
She laughs, and I love that sound. “But if I do, we’ll never get to dinner.”
She’s right. And if we don’t go to dinner, we won’t get home. “I’ll be right back.”
When I walk down to the library a few minutes later, the house smells like freshly baked bread. Corrine and I detour to the kitchen. Everyone is eating homemade pizza.
“Leilani is working on our idea for a pizza bar,” Corrine explains. “We have a large grill and a pizza oven we can do this with.”
I nod. “How did it go?”
“It was a little slow.” Leilani points to the table where some people are finished, and others still waiting. “I need to see what I can come up with.”
“I was just telling Leilani that I think we can rent some propane pizza ovens,” one of the housemen says.
“That would be great.” Corrine turns to me. “Don’t you think your guests will be in a hurry to eat so they can get started?”
I nod. “Most likely, but if we start dinner early—most of them will be on Pacific Time—we should be fine to start the game by seven. Plus, we’ll always have pupus and booze.”
Corrine is inspecting the latest pizza to emerge from the oven. “Looks fantastic. Did you like the crust recipe you made?” she asks Leilani.
“Definitely. This was a great idea.”
“It’s sooo good,” Danny says.
“Totally,” Jimmy adds.
“They’re turning into surfer dudes,” I warn Brian.
“Tell me about it. It’s the kids they play with at the park.” Melinda laughs.
“Don’t ever change, boys.” I wink at them, and they give me the hang loose sign.
The whole table cracks up.
***
Twenty minutes later, Corrine and I are seated at a small, quiet restaurant in a booth facing the beach. The waves lap quietly at the shore.
“This is the life,” Corrine says.
She’s clearly more relaxed than she was at the estate. “You’re doing a fantastic job getting ready for the party.”
“I’m just trying to stay within budget. If it rains, the tent will blow it out.”
“Don’t worry about it.” I pull her in and kiss her on the temple. “The number is purely arbitrary. Whatever it takes.”
“Nate asked for Mitchner bourbon, and I ordered a case of the twenty-five-year. I mentioned it to Gillian, but she thought he was probably interested in the gold something. I need to track that down.”
“No, you don’t. I can’t imagine Nate will be unhappy with twenty-five-year-old bourbon. You’re fine.”
“Landon wants a vegetarian meal.”
“What? He’s full of shit. We went out for burgers last week.” I dig my phone out of my pocket.
Me: You’re eating vegetarian now?”
Landon: Only organic vegetarian.
Me: You’re full of shit. My cook is going crazy trying to accommodate you. It’s okay if you are, but if you’re doing that to yank Corrin
e’s chain, she has a nasty bite. I’d beware.
Corrine’s phone pings.
Landon: I was just kidding about being vegetarian. Please don’t go out of your way for me. I’ll eat whatever you have.
We laugh.
Corrine: Pig shit for you then. Leilani will put rat poison in your meals as payback.
Landon: I will bring her something special from the mainland.
Landon: Something for both of you.
Corrine: Groveling works well.
Our meal arrives, and we talk about the state of the company and my admin worries, politics, and issues with the final stage of the renovations at the estate.
“Do you think Leilani is going to do well as majordomo?” I ask.
“The staff loves her. She struggles with the bills, but I can set those up on automatic pay, no problem.”
When we’ve finished, they deliver a chocolate soufflé for dessert. Corrine’s moans of appreciation make me want to spread it all over her body and lick it off all night long. But first I need to gauge where we are.
“I hear you when you tell me you’re worried I’m going to end this after a few months,” I tell her, taking her hand. “But I need you to know that’s not going to happen. I miss waking up with you and spending the days working by your side and the nights… Tell me you’re considering moving in when we return.”
She sighs. “I was thinking I could move into Gabby’s place since she’s moving in with Damien.”
My heart drops. “You don’t want to move in with me?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” I implore.
She plays with her napkin, and I know she has something to say, but she’s reluctant to tell me. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
I lean in and kiss her temple. “Corrine, if this distance between us has done anything, it’s given me a lot of clarity. I’m hopelessly in love with you. I have been since long before we started dating, and I didn’t even realize it. I will wait for you as long as you need me to.”
Royally Flushed: Tech Billionaires Page 28