by Kerry Leigh
“Are you really doing this Jess?”
“I’m not sure, honestly, I said I have to decide by tomorrow.”
“And I want to know my best friend has my back come hell or high water.”
“Hah, I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
“That’s precisely why I will always be there for you.”
“Do you know how we celebrate bold decisions? Even more alcohol!" Kaitlin said, spreading her arms out and going over the fridge lifting up a fancy bottle of wine.
I laughed, “that’s great but you shouldn’t mention alcohol to Logan. Something tells me he’ll be livid.”
12
LOGAN
My long night's sleep had left me only mildly refreshed.
After I left the coffee shop, I returned to the office and attended to a couple distracted phone calls and stared at a wall, when I should’ve made a game plan. I racked my head, thinking, torturing myself. Everything was in peril. In case this byzantine scheme failed, I needed more options. It was do or die.
I got off my bed, walked into the living room and sat in my sofa. While rubbing my weary eyes the world felt grey and daunting. It felt as if gravity had singled me out and a gigantic hand would pluck me up and leave me in a deep, black hole. I gritted my teeth. I couldn’t wait around in case Jess came through. Besides who would I be if I didn’t have a plan B. No, plan 2. Plan b implies I can only come up with twenty-six.
I returned home in the early morning but sleep wouldn’t come, so I headed down to the gym at two thirty. After some exercise, I could finally let my eyes rest. Then I woke up at six, showered, and started my day. Father would come tomorrow morning and he abhorred waiting. Regardless if it was meeting his daughter in law. I couldn’t bring myself to picture our reunion.
I had no notifications on my phone, and my chest tightened when I looked at my phone. I left my suite and headed in my car on my way to the office. And I checked my phone to see if she sent me an email every two or three minutes. She hadn’t.
I couldn’t stop my stomach from fluttering. I wanted news from Jess whether it was good or bad. My last-ditch plan was nothing more than a Hail Mary. There would be no good reason why my fiancée couldn’t be here on the one occasion we’re all together. Because of the fact I told them we would meet up and mingle. I convinced myself I could pull it off, but my father had sharp speculative eyes and he would cut through to the bone if I held back my punches.
My father might sniff the suspicious circumstances. I disappointed his heavy expectations of my high society upbringing. He should be curious. I had not even considered his decades finessing the most unscrupulous and dangerous businessmen in America. He was great at his job. But so was I.
He wouldn’t need to confront me, all it would take was a simple look to decide his son was running a scam on him. Even though I told Jess. It wasn’t the case, if my dad actually thought I was being malicious then my inheritance would suddenly be up for debate.
While she was a total stranger, Jess was my one hope, the bright spark in my darkness
It was early in the day but my muscles felt jittery, so I needed to get a drink to relax. Or get a coffee to wake the fuck up. I heard the door open and glanced over in its direction.
I saw a flash of chocolate hair, which revealed Jess. She had a pin in her hair and looked delightful.
“Jess,” I stared at her incredulously, and made a beeline toward her.
“Hey Logan," she said. "I felt you deserved to hear the news in person.”
My face blanched, but I maintained a confident grin. "I hope it's something we can celebrate over wine."
Jess stepped toward me with light steps and raised her hand. The ring glittered on her finger.
“I want to believe there was a reason I met you Logan. So, whatever happens, happens. I get a fun story I totally won't tell anyone. " Jess said. "Who would turn down a week of indulgence? Let alone the trucks of money." She looked at me with a roguish grin.
"If you want me... I’m in.”
My eyes shined with relief. “Jess this is so amazing. Thank you so much. You're literally my life saver."
"Figuratively and I can't get out of work on Thursday. I tried. No dice." She amended.
"Whatever you say." I beamed, overcome with joy. You have no idea what this means to me.”
I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her.
She held onto my body tight, like she didn’t want to let go. Her skin reddened and her smile settled into a long slim line.
“Sorry about that.” I put her down. “I’m just... so excited about all this.”
“Shoot we’re going to do more of everything if we’re going to pull this off.” She said, shooting me a long, yearning look. A look that told me she didn't completely buy it.
But I didn’t mind kissing Jess. And something told me neither did she.
13
JESS
“Wow.” I let out, looking around the bright, vibrant room. I couldn’t help but gape at the size of the massive bedroom. The furnishings were elegant and luxurious yet looked warm and had a cosy feel about it. The living room was designed with bright viridescent colors and adorned with pale, beige fabrics. I knew Logan had a hand in bringing the suite together. It just seemed like his style. I moved to the enormous bathroom, which had both an elaborate bath tub, with a compliment of fresh smelling bath bombs, then a shower with a thick glass enclosure and a balcony overlooking the rush of traffic down on the street but insulated from the noise by its sheer height.
After a couple moments, I threw my suitcase on the bed, but couldn’t decide whether I wanted a nice, long shower or to unpack and get to know the place. Before I could decide Logan walked into my new room. He carried a briefcase alongside his dazzling suit,
Looking an absolute vision in a navy designer suit that fit his broad-shouldered frame impeccably.
looking bright and handsome. He gave me a charming smile as he came into the room.
“Hey, sweetheart,” he said. “Like the place?
“I can’t believe you actually asked that.” I giggled. “This suite is gorgeous and the view is to die for.”
“I suppose it’s nice. I guess. But the place my parents are staying at has an even greater view.
“Hmm, that is just as well, we need to keep a low profile after all.”
“Hey, I thought we were madly in love.” He grinned, moving his eyes up and down my body.
“Yeah, but we don’t want people to ask too many questions.”
I turned my head backward. A mammoth four-poster bed was to the right of the window. It had fine navy silk sheets and filled with plush, cute pillows. The room exuded an aroma of lilacs and wildflowers. Although the view out of the window overlooked the busy street. The room looked so comfortable and luxurious I felt compelled to jump up and down on the bed.
“Keeping the bed warm wasn’t part of our deal.” In my head, I knew he probably steadied his expectations, making sure his disappointment wasn’t plainly in sight.
“C’mon, do you really think I would beg you into something like that. I’m a proper gentleman. The bed is entirely yours - if you fancy. I’ve always found the sofas as comfortable as a pile of compressed clouds. And I might just get back to my actual apartment for a nap before the start of the day.”
I let out an unladylike snort. No way I would believe him. And he playfully rolled his eyes back at me.
“Of course, if you want me in the bed…” Logan began, his tone becoming low.
“It’s totally on your mind - why else would you bring it up? Relax, I can change my schedule I will make it work for you. Although, my legs have been restless on occasion.”
A bubble of laughter broke in my chest and I chuckled maddeningly. “Oh, get lost! I bet you’re just waiting for me to let my guard down around you. I’m no some random hook up you’re trying to seduce, remember? We’re madly in love. At least that’s the cover you decided when you plugged me into this so craz
y it just might work scheme.
He took seductive steps toward me. “Look, Jess, we’re kinda, well we’re supposed to be engaged. Technically it wouldn’t be casual sex.”
“Logan.” When I was about to rebuke his advance, it felt like there was a magnetic force compelling me to take him up on it. I bit my lip and lifted my head to look him in the eyes.
“Okay, then” He relented with a soft laugh and pulled out his right arm to check his Rolex. “Hmm, there’s business I have to arrange before the parents take center stage. But, there’s something you could do for me?”
“Really? Sounds interesting.”
He opened his briefcase, which had a thick wax sealed envelope, and handed it to me.
“This, my intrepid accomplice, is my life.”
“Is this your tragic origin story? Or just things I should know about your parents?”
“A little column A, a little column B. Just the mission critical notes - To ensure everything goes off without a hitch.”
“…But you know nothing about me. “I said.
“Maybe you could sit down with me and go over a few things? He asked. “A little hard work always pays off in the end. Right, the last thing I need from you is to go down to Fifth avenue and get yourself something nice.”
“Huh, um…” I blinked. “Is this - for real.”
“Yes.” He said firmly. “You have to dress for the part. I’m not making a statement about your wardrobe. You always look wonderful. But you need to dress to show you’re a beacon of the values women in my tax code embody: pomp, excess and glamour. Besides, my mother would absolutely become mad if she knew my fiancée wasn’t treated to the trendiest boutiques and jewellers New York has to offer. So, go. Update your wardrobe for this challenging week. Don’t worry about anything, my limit is large.”
“Size isn’t everything.”
“Oh, if only you knew.” Logan chuckled.
I felt a warmth invade my cheeks and held back a smile.
“That doesn’t sound like a likely story.” I said.
And adopted the tone of a spoiled valley girl. "Oh, certainly dear, that’s all you need to do, charge all of these dresses, bags, and priceless jewellery to this card. I’m totally not a con artist.”
“Heh, I love the forethought. Luckily it’s something we both share.”
“You? I am I’m not trying to hurt you or anything but, if that were the case, we wouldn’t be here.”
Logan folded his arms and grinned. “That hurt. You’ve words are sharp.
I laughed. “What do you want. When I’m around you something seems to rise to the surface.”
His face relaxed and a fieriness rose in his eyes, making him look even more handsome. “I’ve made arrangements, you see, I told the shops to welcome you, so that’s solved.”
“When I get into a problem, can I lose my shit like a snobby housewife and demand to see the manager?”
Logan raised his head to the ceiling and roared with laughter. “No, really, that sounds amazing, an obnoxious reputation isn’t bad if you’re going to run in my mother’s circles.”
14
LOGAN
It felt like I went back in time waiting for my dad to scold me for some offense at boarding school. It wasn’t something I wanted to get used to and I didn't know how to deal with it.
Hmm now I drank alcohol or had sex. But I didn’t want to find someone right now and being drunk around my parents was the last thing I wanted. But I could get some drinks from my private cabinet to cool my nerves, at least my employees wouldn’t be able to say anything.
The plane had landed a couple hours ago, but dad immediately retreated into a slew of business meetings instead of greeting me.
My nostrils flared. I knew the delay was some half-baked power tactic. An intimidation ploy meant to show whose time is important it was inadvertent a way to cope with decades of business with an unscrupulous business people and decadent lifestyles of his peers.
But it burnt hot in my chest knowing he thoughtlessly used them on his own son.
I had hoped things would change. But I was wrong.
My shoulders stiffened in resentment. I settled it by playing a couple rounds of darts. I had a kooky plan to complete and conflicted emotions would mess with my timing, would give me too much of an edge. I needed to be a changed man. The perfect child. I was getting married soon and being the perfect gentleman to boot I would play the part or witness my father’s wrath.
I didn’t want to do this I didn’t want to resent my dad. I wanted him to celebrate my accomplishments my decisions but that was less likely than me getting married and having an army of children Dad made the point clear, branded into my head was only one path to my future: whatever he said I should become. Any anything else was a miserable failure
I had been through my rebellious youth phase, the typical fuck up with the devil may care attitude. I didn’t care about my dad’s traditions I cared about making him proud through my accomplishments. Didn’t take readily. My dad ignored anything I did whether it was creative or my own business ventures He never breathed life into my interests.
Then the event with Camille had been the spark that lit the fuse. The last trial into fitting into the society I was born for, destined for. And in the end my reasons were many, when I had asked my father one day, a three years ago, to ask for the first thing, a request I had never regretted.
Heartbroken, and disillusioned with my life, I told my dad I would leave and use my trust fund to form a company in New York. I made sure it would be the only item I asked my dad for anything.
So, escaping any reminder of my old life, I packed up and moved to New York. Surprisingly, I took to real estate quick enough, which brought endless shocks to my father. But I knew people and I could always sniff changes to the real estate market. Everything else was just blood sweat and willpower, forging my team my workers into a machine that would never bring oversight from headquarters. Whether it was money, expensive cars, booze, women, and homes -I had everything I wanted - and I also had nothing I wanted.
I stood at the bar, with a drink in my had. I wondered if I had made a mistake. Would the drinks really have made him crazy for one night. Granted, different drinks made people do crazy things. Who knew that a couple shots of tequila would make the sanest man go crazy?
I’d made bad decisions when I was drunk, especially back in Houston - but this was specific and malicious. Felt anxious paranoid that something queer afoot.
Perhaps a small part of my subconscious wanted to become his father’s son.
“Fuck it,” I said to myself shaking the thought out of my head I gulped down the last of my drink and put the shot glass on the table.
It was time to go. I wanted everything to come to a conclusion. Quickly.
The only thought that brought a smile to my face was the thought Jess buying the dresses to look the part. She was gorgeous, she didn’t need any help to look stunning but I would take no chances. She was crazy in her own right for agreeing to this mess. She didn’t owe me and I wouldn’t in her position take away that huge engagement ring and disappear.
I had led a couple ladies astray in the past, maybe it would make up for some things. The only thing that would settle me down was to get some word done.
My heart pulsed rapidly and as insidious as it was, the realization that I didn’t know anything, the future was unseen dropped down on me.
Dad would come to the building whenever he pleased, he would probably try to surprise me and sneak his way and barge his way to my office without telling me. He did whatever he wanted but luckily, I had complete faith in Jess’s performance. I was honestly, more worried I would let slip something so inconsequential that I knew my dad would whiff on it and everything would fall into and be displaced.
I walked to my office and let out a breath of air when I saw Alex, walking into an elevator.
"Hey, man." Alex said cheerfully.
“I was about to text you and see
how things progressed. Is everything going to pan he said in a tone that said he thought anything but that was possible.”
"Is everything working out?"
I sighed and leaned on the wall in front of my friend. “Yeah, for now I guess. Still I’ve got the wife, mow we just need to put a warm united front.”
Alex gave a thumbs-up and it felt like everything would turn out all right.
"Positive man, everything’s going to work out, no matter what happens. Just one step at a time."
"Did anyone ever tell you you’ve got too much hope. I never know how you pull that shit out of your ass."