“You don’t think that there are going to be any last minute changes, do you?”
Harley shrugs again. “No, I don’t think so. It all looks good to me. There hasn’t been any complaint about any of the terms of the deal. I guess you were right. They wanted something like this and you swooped in at exactly the right moment. You should congratulate yourself on that.”
I will have to thank Lee. Yet again, he has saved my ass. This is why I trust him; his intuition is somewhat incredible. Something to really rely on, as much as I do myself.
“Great, well set up the meeting then. I want to get this all done as soon as possible.”
Then once this is done, I can focus on moving forward, where I need to be. Carrying on with my business, just like I always do. I will be comfortable and happy to be back to normal once more.
I head out, leaving earlier than everyone else today because I have done my part and I head to the nearest bar, right outside my office. I don’t exactly have the playboy life style anymore, I gave that up when I got married to Anna and I have no desire to go back there, but I’m still partial to a good drink and this bar is perfect for it. It’s right outside the office, not far from my home, and I know all of the staff.
“Hey there, Carter,” Ryan, the bartender calls out to me. “How’s it going?”
“Really good.” I point to the expensive bottle of whiskey on the top shelf, my usual. “I think I might be about to sign a deal that changes everything, putting me right back on top.”
“Well, I still don’t know much about what you do, but I imagine that you’re always on top.”
I smile widely. “Yeah, you’re right about that. I will just be even higher up.”
“Well, that sounds like a celebration to me.”
“It is actually, yes. A celebration of my business kicking ass all over again. As usual.”
“Well, that is just fantastic to hear. I’m really happy for you. You definitely deserve this. You work so hard.”
I raise my glass. “Thank you for noticing.”
Neither of us comment on it, but I’m sure that we’re both thinking the same thing. It’s a bit sad that I’m celebrating in my usual bar outside my office, all by myself, like I don’t have anyone in my life. In a way, that’s quite accurate. I don’t. I block off any attention from women because of Anna, and I find it hard to really trust friends again because of Daniel. They both really screwed me over.
But it’s fine. It isn’t like I’m lonely or anything, I’m just fine. I don’t need anyone. I don’t have time to be lonely. Plus, I’m here with Ryan now anyway. If I buy him a drink, he’ll have one with me…
Urgh, that even sounds tragic. I need to get out of here. I’m better off alone. I sink the rest of my drink back quickly and get the hell out of the bar because I can’t stand how sad it is anymore. At least when I’m at home, no one can judge me for being by myself. It’s just me, and that’s okay.
4
Raelyn
“I don’t know about this,” I say to Leon for what feels like the millionth time. “Are you sure we should do this? I mean, partnering up with our rivals is just stupid, isn’t it? A foolish mistake.”
“The legal team said that it was the best way that you could expand.”
“But an investor…” I still can’t let go of that idea. “Surely, we should look into that.”
“You know that won’t work quick enough.” Leon gives me a meaningful look. “You are hungry, Raelyn. You want to expand at the speed of light. This is the best way for you to do that.”
I nod and try to catch my breath, while examining the sleek, powerful looking Lace Enterprises building. I told myself over and over again that I wouldn’t get intimidated, but I can’t seem to help it. My mouth is dry, my stomach is flip flopping and my heart is pounding hard against my rib cage. I’m probably even shaking like a fool. Thank goodness Leon is here with me. He’s really here to see the production side of things, to make sure that it will benefit us because I’m not going into this without making sure that we will benefit a lot, but he’s also here to support me. Just in case I lose the power that has got me to where I am today. And to be honest, while looking at this building, I can feel it slipping off me like a wet dream, leaving me naked and exposed.
“You need to own it in this meeting, Raelyn,” Leon reminds me. “Prove that you kick ass.”
I blow out a couple of sharp breaths and nod. “I know. I do, you’re right.”
“Remember who you are. Remember where you came from. Remember what you can do.”
“Yes, right. I can do all of those things. No problem. Nothing to worry about at all.”
He squeezes my shoulder, ever so lightly, to give me some reassurance, then he nods towards the building. It’s time to go in, to face the music, to get this done. My heels clip clop along the ground, somehow, making my pulse race even faster, I even get a little dizzy, but I keep moving forwards into my future.
This is good, I try to convince myself. This will be good for all of us.