“So what’s this I hear that you’re cooking for the guys now?”
My shoulders sagged. He had let it go. “Yeah, I felt bad. I’m going to cook for the whole group this weekend.”
He chuckled, “I’m sure they’ll love it, no matter what you cook.”
I slid back under my covers. We talked for another hour, the longest conversation I ever had over the phone. I could’ve continued for another hour, but I told him to go to sleep after I heard his exhaustion. He sighed into the phone, “It’s good to hear your voice, Emma. I’ve missed you too.”
I couldn’t hold back a grin. “Good night, Carter.”
“Good night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Then I heard the dial tone and laid the phone next to me. I slept with it beside me.
When he put his phone away, his associate glanced up from the parallel seat. He asked, “Is she alright?”
“She feels frustrated and trapped. She doesn’t know what’s going on and it’s making her angry.”
The older man frowned. “She told you all that?”
“She doesn’t know she feels all of that.”
“But you do?”
Carter threw his comrade a grin. “I always do. I know things about you too. Would you like me to enlighten you?”
He started to open his mouth again, but Gene groaned, “Please don’t.” He paused for a second. “Are you going to tell her what’s going on?”
“Not yet. I want to wait.”
The older man lifted his phone. “I got off the phone with Christian.”
Carter waited, more alert and quiet, if that was possible. When his comrade hesitated, he lifted an eyebrow. “Am I supposed to guess? Is this when you’re going to question my intuitive senses?”
“Shut up.” A grin slipped from the other man. He shook his head. Carter reminded him of his son. It was why he vouched for him when Farve brought him into the family. Carter never knew that and he didn’t want him to know, although it was a fair assumption that Carter probably did. He treated him differently, but then again, Carter Reed had demanded different treatment than the others. He’d always been better than the rest. He had proved that again with the feat he pulled off.
“Gene,” Carter prompted.
“They’re deliberating right now. We’ll know the decision by tomorrow.” He eyed the younger man. He seemed as unfazed and cold as always. “You’re not worried?”
“Legitimate business is always good business. They won’t pass on it.”
“If they do?”
Carter turned back to his window. “Then I’ll figure something else out.”
Gene shifted in his seat, trying to stretch his long legs. He had no doubt Carter would find a different way. He always did. Then he cursed. The damn jets were so cramped, even the private ones could use bigger leg spaces.
It was the next day, at the end of my shift when I learned the real reason he was headed to New York. Theresa called me and gushed over the phone, “You’re back on!”
“I’m back on what?” I grinned as I heard her excitement and pulled the office door shut behind me. As it clicked in place, I turned for the elevator. The whole day had been torturous. I knew that I’d see Carter that evening. The day went slower because of that.
“The Bourbon account. You’re back on.” She laughed. “Allison was horrible. She was so flustered by your boyfriend, she kept dropping everything. She almost dropped the computer equipment, but Noah sent her out of the room. So you’re back in. That’s great, right?”
“Yeah…” I frowned. “My boyfriend?”
“Yeah, about that.” She turned serious. “Not cool, Emma.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Carter Reed. Your boyfriend. The guy I saw you with at the club, but, stupid me, didn’t realize was Carter Reed.” She grew quiet. “Were you laughing at me? Was that why you didn’t say anything?”
“What?” I punched the elevator button. “No. How do you know about Carter? I didn’t think you had ever met him.”
“What do you mean, how do I know? He’s Noah’s best friend and he owns some shares in the hotel.”
“I thought you said Noah offered him shares and he turned him down?”
“He offered him more shares and he turned those down, but he already owns 32% of the business. I thought you knew that.” She sounded sheepish, “Okay. I’ll admit that I never believed Noah, but I’m realizing that I judged him wrong before I ever really met him.”
I stepped inside the elevator and pushed my button. “Carter and I don’t talk about that stuff.”
“Oh.”
I sighed in frustration. A headache was coming on. “Carter was there? He was in the meeting?” And that was why he was going to New York, not for me, not like he had said.
“Of course he was there. We had to present the new account to the board so that we can go through with making it a brand. You knew that?”
But I hadn’t. I really hadn’t. I sighed into the phone, “Look, I have to go. Can we talk about this later?”
“No, that’s the thing. We’re flying back now. We’re on his jet with him. He’s being nice, Emma. And he said that he wants to treat us tonight. I’m calling you to tell you to get your cute butt all dressed and sexified. We’re going to Octave tonight, and we’re going to be with the owner. Can you imagine what perks go with that? It’s awesome enough just when Noah and I go there because Noah knows him, but actually being with the owner?! I’m really excited. And Brianna’s going to be there too. We already asked. He promoted her once he found out that she was working there. I’m not sure what she does, but Noah’s okay with her working there now. Obviously, your boyfriend did that for him.”