Dancing on Waves, page 9
Ethan strolled into the diner a short time later. My first thought was Look at the hot guy. Then it hit me; he was my hot guy. His hair was tousled. Unlike his Hawaii attire, he was wearing a pair of slacks and his dress shirt untucked.
He leaned down and kissed the top of my head. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m sorry,” I said. “I couldn’t sleep, and I didn’t want to wake you. I took Roxy for a walk and just kind of ended up here.”
“Babe, you’re not home on your island anymore,” he warned and took a seat across from me. “It’s not safe to be wandering the streets in the middle of the night.”
“I know,” I admitted. “I’m sorry.”
The waitress returned with the pot of coffee. She refilled my cup and filled his. “I’ll take what she’s having,” Ethan said.
“Be right back,” the waitress said and scurried away.
“I’m so sorry,” I said again. “I thought I was just going to run out and be back before you woke up. I started walking and ended up here. This diner is somewhere I visited quite a few times when I was in high school.”
“Really?”
I laughed at his surprise. “Yes, my mother was not happy that I hung out here. More like she didn’t like who I was hanging out with.”
“A boy?” he teased.
“Boys and girls, but they weren’t rich,” I said. “They didn’t live in the right buildings, and they didn’t have the right last names. My mother was very concerned with our image. If we didn’t hang out with the right people, we were in trouble. The last time I was in this place, my mother practically dragged me out. She humiliated me in front of my friends and everyone else in the place. That was ten years ago.”
“Oh yes.” He nodded. “The wrong side of the tracks friends. I had a few in my day.”
“They were fun and real, and I loved hanging out with them,” I sighed. “After she humiliated me, I could never show my face around them again.”
“This is a walk down memory lane for you,” he said.
“It is. It’s bittersweet.”
Chapter Fourteen
Ethan
I checked on Ava, who was sound asleep in the bedroom. We had enjoyed our breakfast and then taken refuge in the suite. Neither of us wanted to risk anyone seeing us together in the city. That was a problem for another day. She had gone to lie down thirty minutes ago. As expected, she fell asleep fairly quickly.
I wrote out a quick note and let her know I would be gone for most of the day. She knew I was going to be headed into the office. I was grateful she was okay with hanging out in the suite for the day. She had room service at her fingertips, along with anything else she wanted. All she had to do was pick up the phone.
The car I’d hired was waiting for me out front. I strolled through the lobby without making eye contact with anyone. I was sure there were a few people who recognized me. The moment I walked into the building where our headquarters were at, it would be over, anyway. Lucas warned me there had been press hanging out in front of the building.
Because I wasn’t quite ready for the craziness of journalists hounding me, I had the driver drop me off at the delivery entrance. I stepped off the elevator and into the reception area. The young woman that manned the front desk almost choked on the coffee she was drinking. She jumped up, spilling some down her front.
“Mr. Mitchell!”
I nodded and walked down the hall like I had done hundreds of times before. The looks on the faces of my staff would have been comical if I had been in a better mood. I wasn’t in a bad mood, but I wasn’t happy to have to be coming into work. There were plenty of whispers. A lesser man would cower under the scrutiny. I reminded myself I worked here. I had every right to walk into the office. I had not done a damn thing wrong. The place wasn’t falling down. I had been keeping up with my duties from afar.
My assistant was leaning against the wall flirting with one of the ladies from accounting. “Ethan!” He jumped away from the wall. “I didn’t know you were coming in today.”
“I am.”
The young woman scurried away. Matt followed me into my office. It was clean and looked just the way I left it, but it was pretty clear Matt had been using it. I walked behind my desk and sat down. My chair had been adjusted for someone else, which confirmed my suspicion.
“Do you want coffee?” he asked.
“Yes, please,” I said. “And let Lucas know I’m here.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t have a schedule for you,” he said. “I didn’t know you were coming in.”
“That’s fine,” I said. “I’d rather not have meetings today. I need to talk to Lucas. After I talk to him, I’ll let you know what I need.”
“Yes, sir,” he said.
He rushed out of the office. I heard the many conversations happening beyond the door. People were stunned to see me. I didn’t doubt some of them wished I wouldn’t have shown up. The company was getting dragged through the mud, and it was evident some of them were going to lose their jobs because we were shrinking.
I took a minute to familiarize myself with my office. It felt like I’d been gone for years. My suit felt stiff. I felt odd, out of sorts. Before I’d gone to Hawaii, being in my office was my way of life. Now it felt weird. It was like putting on a pair of shoes three sizes too small. I didn’t belong. It wasn’t me.
“He lives,” Lucas said walking into my office with Matt rushing behind him.
Matt put my coffee on the desk with the protein bar I used to eat every morning. “Anything else?” he asked.
“No. I’ll let you know if I need anything. Close the door please. And as far as anyone knows, I’m not here. I don’t want any calls coming through.”
“Understood,” he said.
Lucas sat down in one of the chairs in the conversation area. I carried my coffee over and sat in the chair opposite him. “Good to see you,” he said.
“Is it?” I asked. “Walking in here was interesting.”
“How so?”
“I was a little worried someone might shank me,” I said.
He laughed. “I hate to say it, but I think you’re right. Have you read the latest?”
I shook my head with dread. “We were in the air all day and got in late. I haven’t even checked email.”
“Your parents haven’t called you?”
“They’ve called plenty,” I said.
“Got it.” He nodded.
“What’s going on now?” I asked with resignation.
“A witness came forward,” he started. “The news gave her a time slot the night before. Yesterday, shit hit the fan. Our stock took a hit yesterday, and this morning it’s not looking any better.”
“This witness saw Collin pumping the guy with drugs?” I asked dryly.
“She says she saw the dead guy with Collin and Jenny. They were all sharing drugs.”
“I’m not sure why that’s newsworthy,” I said. “We’ve known that.”
“Because the witness has formally named Collin,” he said. “Before it was speculation. The witness claimed to have done drugs with Collin in the past. A lot of the stuff she said was bullshit, but the damage was done. People are nervous. They see the end of the company and are dumping stock as fast as they can. We can handle a little downturn, but if this turns into a freefall, I don’t have to tell you what’s going to happen.”
“Great,” I muttered.
“The board wants a meeting. Tonight. They know you’re back, and they want to see the whites of your eyes.”
“Oh joy,” I muttered. “An emergency board meeting.”
“They are looking to you to give them a lifeline,” he said. “I think it’s a good thing they are still hoping you can save this sinking ship. They trust you.”
“I don’t know that I can save the sinking ship,” I said. “If we’re experiencing this much blowback with rumors, it’s only going to get worse if he’s actually charged. I don’t have a game plan right now. I can’t tell people not to link the company with my brother, who has nothing to do with the business.”
“You can,” he said. “That’s exactly what you need to do. You have to distance him from us.”
“Oh, that will make my family really happy,” I said sarcastically. “They are demanding I come out and publicly support Collin.”
“You’re in a tough spot,” he said. “I get it, but I also have to say, this thing you’re doing with Ava isn’t making it any better.”
“My personal life is nobody’s business,” I said. “No one, not you, not my family, no one is going to tell me who I can and cannot see. I’m a grown-ass man.”
“We’re just trying to make you understand that a fling is not worth the devastation of a company that has been around for more than fifty years.”
“She’s not a fling,” I said. “Please, I’m asking you this time, never refer to her as a fling.”
He held up his hands. “All right, relax. Just so you know, your grandfather knows you’re back. He called here looking for you. I tried to tell him I didn’t know where you were, but you know him. He’s not a guy that takes no for an answer. I didn’t tell him where you were staying. He wants to talk to you. And when I say want, he demands your presence. I just said I would let you know if I saw you.”
“Great,” I groaned. “If he knows, my parents know. Did you tell them where I was staying?”
“No.” He shook his head.
“Thank you.”
“I’ve got some information for you,” he said. “We have the board meeting at five. We’ve got the quarterly statements to go over. There’s also the Maitlin deal.”
“Is it falling apart?” I asked.
“Not yet, but it’s definitely on the rocks,” he said. “We need you to work your magic and save it.”
“Didn’t I just sign off on it a few days ago?”
“You did, but then there was the interview, and we lost some of our leverage,” he said.
“I’ll deal with it. Push the board meeting.”
He looked at me with dread. “I can’t do that.”
“You can, or I will,” I said sternly. “I don’t give a fuck what the board wants. I’m still the CEO. My name is on the company letterhead. I’ve kissed the ring plenty. I’m not begging anyone. I’m not going to answer for crimes I did not commit. I’m not going to talk about my personal life. They want an emergency meeting to scold me like a child. It isn’t going to happen. Push it. I won’t be there. If they think they are going to ambush me, they’ve got another think coming. I am going to spend the day dealing with all the other bullshit, including the Maitlin deal. Then I’ve got to deal with my grandfather. If I don’t go to him, he’s going to show up here. I don’t have time to sit around and listen to a bunch of people that do nothing to improve the company tell me how to run the company that’s made them very wealthy.”
He nodded with understanding. “I’ll do what I can.”
“If they don’t want to cancel it, fine, but I’m not going to be there,” I said. “I’m not going to be on the phone. Period.”
“Someone is cranky,” he joked.
“I’m not cranky. Quite the opposite. I was in a great mood. I’m just not interested in discussing my private life.”
“Got it,” he said and got to his feet. “I’ll leave you to it. Do you remember where the bathroom is?”
“Very funny.”
I went back to my desk and took a moment to ready myself for what I knew was going to be a long day. I dug in and did what I did best. I might not particularly like the job I had, but I was damn good at it. I made some calls, asserted myself and fixed some of the damage that had been done since the scandal erupted. Halfway through my day, I called my grandfather. As expected, he was gruff and demanded I go to his house for dinner.
I wasn’t happy, but he was my grandfather. I respected him. Unfortunately, it meant I wasn’t going to be back to the hotel in time for dinner. I sent Ava a quick text letting her know. I felt guilty for leaving her alone all day.
Lucas was successful in canceling the meeting, which meant I was free. I slipped out of the office without much fanfare. On the ride to my grandfather’s brownstone, my palms were sweaty. I was nervous. I didn’t know why I turned into an adolescent boy every time I had to see him. There was something about him that still managed to intimidate me despite being damn near forty. He was a force to be reckoned with.
On the way, I got a message from Lucas. It was nothing more than a link to a news article. I clicked on it and cringed. “Fuck me.”
Fucking Marta Mikkels had a whole story about the fact I was back. There was speculation Ava was with me, but nothing confirmed. It wouldn’t be long before someone gave it away. I was pissed, but it wasn’t unexpected. I’d known it was going to happen. Ava knew as well. We were prepared for it as much as we could be. There was nothing to do but ride out the storm.
Chapter Fifteen
Ava
I tapped my fingers on the table and debated whether I should be worried or angry that Ethan wasn’t coming home. I couldn’t be angry with him. He had been very clear his family was going to want to talk to him. I suspected he was going to them in order to protect me. He wouldn’t put me in the line of fire, which I appreciated.
But it also worried me. What if they got him alone and convinced him to dump me? I dismissed the thought. I had to trust him. He had given me no reason not to trust him after coming clean about everything. I wasn’t dependent on him. I could be alone.
“It’s just you and me, Roxy,” I said from the table.
The day had been okay, but I was a little bored. It probably wouldn’t have been so bad if I hadn’t been laid up for the last couple of weeks. I ordered room service and told myself to be content with what I had. It wasn’t like I was left with nothing and starving to death. Truth be told, I missed him. I had gotten a little used to spending all my time with him. We’d been pretty much glued at the hip the last week.
A little time apart was a good thing. I had enjoyed a long soak in the huge tub and browsed the Internet. I made it a point to avoid reading anything about me or Ethan. I did cave in and read a little about my sister. The stories that were told were disappointing. There were hundreds of pictures of Jenny. Most of the pictures were of her out clubbing. It was clear she was on drugs or drunk in most of them. Some of the pictures were stolen from her social media or from clout chasers wanting to be seen with her. I was sad for her. She had gone down such a dark road. I wished there was a way to help her, but I just didn’t see how that was possible.
After enjoying my dinner with Roxy getting some bits of it, I couldn’t take it any longer. I had to get out of the penthouse. It was my proverbial gilded cage. But it was still a cage. “Roxy, let’s go for a walk,” I announced.
I pulled on my coat and wrapped a scarf around my neck with a beanie hat pulled low. I hoped it was enough to disguise myself. I walked through the lobby without looking at anyone. It was cold and dark outside. And the smells from earlier in the morning were gone. It was nothing but the usual chaos. Honking horns, sirens, and noise in general. A cold breeze blew over us. I was glad for my disguise. It served dual purposes.
We walked along the busy sidewalk, getting jostled in the hustle and bustle. After a short walk and enough time for Roxy to handle business, I was actually anxious to get back to my refuge. The city was too loud. There were too many people that didn’t look happy. Everyone looked pissed and in a hurry.
When the elevator opened on the penthouse suite floor, the first thing I noticed was a man hovering outside the door. “Shit,” I muttered under my breath.
I pulled Roxy’s leash and was about to get back on the elevator when the man spotted me. He was very well-dressed for a hack reporter.
“Wait,” he said. “Ava?”
“Go away,” I replied.
“I’m Lucas,” he said and walked toward me. “I’m not a reporter. I’m Ethan’s friend.”
I put my hand on the door to keep it from closing. “You’re Lucas?”
“I am,” he agreed. “Lucas Fenton. You’re Ava Hunt.”
“Is Ethan here?” I asked.
“No.”
That confused me. “Okay.”
“I came to talk to you,” he said.
“Oh.”
He looked at me with expectation. He was waiting for me to invite him in. It made me feel a little weird, but he was Ethan’s friend. He was the only person Ethan had been talking to since his self-imposed exile. I supposed that meant I could trust him as well.
“Did you want to come in?” I asked.
“Please.”
I unlocked the door and gestured for him to go inside. “Ethan says you secured the room for us. Thank you. I know it’s been hard for you. I mean dealing with all of this stuff happening with our families. You must really feel like you’ve been put into the middle of something horrible.”
He shrugged and helped himself to the minibar. It was a little presumptuous, but it wasn’t like I was paying for the room. The room was in his name, and I imagined it was his credit card on file. If he wanted to raid it, so be it.
“It hasn’t been easy,” he said. “It’s definitely made the situation that much worse.”
“Ethan seemed pretty confident he could handle things,” I said.
Something about the man had me on edge. I was picking up on some strange vibes. I didn’t know him, but I thought I was sensing anger. It might have just been the rich guy attitude. But something was off. I unhooked Roxy’s leash and let her do what she wanted.
Lucas made himself a drink and sat down on the couch. “We need to talk,” he said.
I took that as his invitation to sit down. “What’s up?” I asked.
“Tell me about yourself,” he said.
I shrugged. “There’s not much to tell. I live in Hawaii, Oahu to be more specific. I have a dog. I work at a coffee shop, and I own a few properties that I rent. Oh, and I walk dogs on the side.”
