“Your sister gets that from your mom, though. My dad was a little high strung, too, and I know for sure that part of the reason I fly off the handle so easy is because Dad did.” Alex shook his head. “Mark, you remember that time he couldn't get the car to start, so he put it in neutral and rolled it down that hill? Hit Old Man Martin's tree and they yelled at each other for two hours before the cops came.”
Mark laughed loudly. “Oh man. I totally had forgotten about that! Dad was a bit dramatic, too. You must have gotten every ounce of that, 'cause I didn't get any of it. I couldn’t care less what's happening. I'm not breaking a sweat over it.”
“Lucky.” Jamie gave Mark a cheeky grin before glancing over at Alex. “You did a great job today with everyone. Your presentation was spot-on. I really don't think there's much to worry about now.”
“I'll second that. You had the crowd’s attention for a good three hours this afternoon. Hell, I even wanted to buy some of the shit you were selling.” Mark picked up his beer and lifted it in the air. “To my older brother. The best businessman that money can make.”
Alex shook his head, but lifted his beer, too. “And to the two people in my life who mean more than all of it put together.”
Jamie's heart warmed at his words; not for his admission of love for her, but for Mark. It had been a rough childhood for them both, and not talking much until the last year had to be a huge strain on both of their lives. She was grateful for the leaps and bounds they'd taken in their relationship. It was going to matter when the babies were born, and Mark was able to be a big part of their lives.
“Alright, so tell Jamie about your business ideas.” Alex tilted his beer toward Jamie as he watched Mark.
“Really? I thought you didn't want to talk about that stuff for a while.” Mark lifted his menu and paused the conversation by ordering with the waitress. He waited until everyone had ordered to turn his attention back to Jamie. “I'm honestly thinking that I'd like to start a country club.”
“What? You're so humble, though. You're not a rich person kinda guy.” Jamie took a sip of her tea and studied his face.
“I know, but I love golf with an intense passion. Alex and I have been talking about me doing something that I really feel passionate about. That's golf.” He shrugged and popped another piece of bread into his mouth. “I like business, too, and I understand accounting quite well. Where I would love to play pro, there is no way. I'm not nearly good enough, nor do I want to put in the time and effort to get there, so the next best thing would be to work until I raise the capital to start investing in a country club.”
“That's a lot of capital, isn't it?” Jamie glanced between the two of them.
“Yep, but he's got a plan, and it's a good one.” Alex leaned back and rested his hands in his lap. “He's going to stay with me for the next six to twelve months and then start looking. I figure that's enough time for us to create a more stable management team at the office, and he's willing to help me.”
“It will give me time to really work on my business plan for this new venture, too.” Mark glanced over at Jamie. “I figure while Daddy Warbucks over here was working late every night, that you mig
ht be willing to help me with some of the grunt work at the house. That something you might be willing to do?”
“Of course. I'll help in any way that I can.” She moved back as their salads arrived. “This is exciting, and a little scary.”
“Agreed, and another thing I want to do is move into my own place. I love living near you guys, but I'm thinking in the next few weeks of getting a place in the city. Closer to the office for now.” Mark shrugged. “I make a lot of money working for Reid Enterprises, and where I want to save most of it, I want to start dating, too. Taking some hot, successful chick back to my basement pad that my brother owns isn't exactly going to score me any points, if you catch my drift.”
Alex laughed. “You never know. Some chicks dig the idea of taking care of a rich playboy. Take Jamie here for instance.”
“So now you're a playboy?” Jamie lifted her eyebrow, catching him off guard and loving it.
“No, I meant—”
“You stepped deep into that one, didn't you, buddy?” Mark laughed.
“Stop ganging up on me, or I'll get you both.” Alex lifted his beer to his lips and gave them a warning look.
Jamie laughed and started to work on her salad, enjoying the conversation and the company more than she ever thought possible. Things would work out at the office, and the fact that Mark and Alex had already started to plan on next steps for Mark's career was evidence that Alex believed that they would be able to handle things on their own.
Good. It's not Mark's responsibility to keep Reid Enterprises afloat. It's ours.
*
“I'm not ready to go home just yet.” Mark lifted his arms to the sky and stretched as he turned to face Jamie and Alex.
“No? What do you want to do? It's a work night.” Alex squeezed Jamie's hand and pulled her in close to him.
“I want to go see a movie. You guys up for that? Greasy popcorn, sticky seats, candy, and a horror flick?” Mark wagged his eyebrows. “Who can say no to that?”
“You guys go. I'm honestly beat, and after that huge steak that no one would share with me...” She glared at both of them. “I'm beat.”
“We'll drop you off at the house and then go to the movie, unless you want me to stay there with you?” Alex turned to her and reached out with his free hand to touch her face. “You just tell me what you want.”
“I'm good with you guys going. Just drop me off at the house. It's just right down the road. You don't even have to get out of the car.” She tugged on Alex's hand as they walked toward the car. “It's chilly out here.”