Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
He snaps his head to the side to look at me. “She’s weighing her options, but leaning toward holding onto it.”
I’d ask why she had the change of heart, but I don’t give a shit. Buying either of them out comes with the risk of complicating my relationship with Evangeline. I want her to see me for the man I’m trying to be. That’s a man who values friendship over finances.
He goes on to explain, “I’ve brought up the idea of running Emmel’s together. She’ll own it independently, of course, but I’ll take on a senior administration role.” He grins before finishing the last mouthful of scotch. “As for Azelius, a couple of months ago, I asked Pete if he knew anyone who would want to take over as CEO so I’d have things in place before I went to my fiancée with the idea of working with her at Emmel’s.”
I nod. “So, Pete is the one who started the rumor that you’re selling?”
“I wouldn’t put it past him.” He chuckles. “Then it hit me. I talked to my sisters since they had joked about wanting to inherit the spa if I kicked the bucket prematurely. It turns out they were on board to be co-CEOs. So that’s the plan. We’ll keep it in the family.”
“It all worked out,” I say, stunned that I was scheming to buy out two businesses that aren’t for sale.
“You should have asked me about this weeks ago.” His voice lowers. “I know you don’t view our friendship through the same lens I do, but I hope you know that you can come to me with anything, Reid. Business, personal, what you’re feeling for Evie. All of it.”
Stunned, I glance at him. “What I’m feeling for Evie?”
“You’re in love with her,” he states matter-of-factly. “I saw it when we were in East Hampton. You’ve got it bad for her. Does she know?”
“She knows I was scheming to buy Azelius and Emmel’s.” I shake my head. “She overheard me discussing it with Baden and Vance. She thinks I’m a ruthless asshole, Randall.”
“Everyone thinks that.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “I don’t want her to think that.”
“Go talk to her,” he says like it’s as easy as that.
“She’s at Charlotte’s.” I toss my head back in frustration. “Unless you give me your fiancée’s address, I have no way of contacting Evangeline. She’s not answering my texts or calls.”
“She’s not at Charlotte’s.” He opens the messaging app on his phone. “Charlotte texted me less than an hour ago to tell me she’s alone for the next few hours, so I should think about getting my ass over to her apartment for our last fuck before we get married.”
“Maybe Evie went home,” I whisper.
He pushes to stand. “Mack’s waiting for me downstairs. I can walk to Charlotte’s apartment from here, so take the car. Go see the woman you love.”
I stand, too, and wrap my arms around him the way I used to when we were kids. “Thanks for everything.”
He pats the center of my back. “I chose you to be my best man because that’s who you are. Don’t forget it.”
I step back to look him in the face. “I won’t. I need to go.”
My phone chimes, signaling an incoming text message. I reach inside my jacket pocket to slide it out, hoping Evie is reaching out.
It’s not her. It’s Kevin Dalca. His text message turns my world upside down. I’m so shocked that I fall back onto my ass on the couch.
“What the hell?” Randall sits back down, too. “What’s wrong? What is it, Reid?”
Without a word, I slide my phone into his hands. He reads Kevin’s message out loud, “Hey, Reid. I stopped by the house today and met Evie. Lovely girl. She’s there by herself now. I think she’d like to see you.”
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE
Evie
I run my fingers over the fabric of the yellowing curtains hanging in the kitchen window. The bottom hem on the left one isn’t perfectly straight. I lean closer and realize almost immediately that they were hand-sewn. I can’t help but wonder if one of Reid’s grandparents made them, or maybe it was him or his sister.
As I let the fabric fall from my fingers, I hear a noise at the front door. All of the warnings my mom subjected me to about intruders and protecting myself storm through my mind. I quietly open one kitchen drawer to find a multitude of plastic container covers. The next drawer contains a variety of kitchen utensils, so I reach in and grab the first thing I can get my hand around. It’s a garlic press.
I curse under my breath, but since I hear the front door creaking open, I don’t have time to go in for something that’s a more suitable weapon. This will have to do.