“Well, Kaylee, I think I’m actually ready to open at lunch time tomorrow. As planned.” He glances at his watch. “I’ll even get a decent night’s sleep. How can I ever thank you?”
Honestly, it feels good to do something productive and helpful. For a few hours I forgot all about Chase Covington. I don’t need any thanks. “It looks good, Ralph.”
“Hey, you know what a French restaurant really needs? A good pastry chef.”
I turn to him, but he doesn’t look like he’s messing with me. “Seriously?”
“Seriously,” he says. “You do excellent work. And you say this whole tabloid thing is behind you?”
“Oh, he’s long gone on a private jet by now.” I can’t believe my luck. A restaurant like this will pay more than Banana Burger for sure. I hate to push my luck, but there’s only one thing that could make it better. “Um, Ralph. One quick question. In my off time, and when the restaurant is closed, can I use the counter space to make my chocolates?”
“Deal,” he says, extending a hand for me to shake.
I smile, surprised at the way tonight turned out.
Who knew? The walk home is very satisfying. I helped someone in need, someone who had fired me no less, and it ended up okay in the end.
It’s a complete contrast to me helping out the billionaire who ended up stabbing me in the back. For the first time today, I feel a little bit hopeful about the future.
Chapter Sixty
Chase
I wake up in a haze. What day is it? And just how much did I drink last night?
Then it all comes flooding back to me. Blowing it with Kaylee, confronting her friends, drinking with Liam and Ashley. Ugh, I feel like shit. In every way possible. What do I do now? I’m supposed to feel better. I got exactly what I’ve always wanted, to be named CEO. But now I don’t feel better about anything.
And there’s no way in hell I’m getting on a plane. The one person I want is right here in St. Tropic.
I get out of bed and stagger into the living area to stare at the beach. Like I used to do with Kaylee. It feels like I’m standing at a crossroads.
The thing is, for a few days, Kaylee made me a better man. She had my back, even when I was being a jerk. And she wasn’t after my money. I know that now for sure. What I had with Kaylee was real, and I blew it. She even noticed what I’m passionate about. She pointed it out because she cared about me. About my future.
I make up my mind. Somehow, I have to convince her that I care about her. But where do I start?
Then I get an idea. I go back into the bedroom and grab my cellphone. I text the board of directors. Then I text Mark:
I want you to know that I just resigned my position as CEO for personal reasons. I know that when you opposed me, you did it because you felt it was best for the company. With that in mind, I give you my full and public support for the position.
I hesitate for just a moment. Then I hit send. I expect a wave of fear and dread, which never comes. Instead, I feel relieved. For the first time since I can remember, I’m fully in charge of my own destiny. I just hope that Kaylee will join me on this journey that she set in motion.
It feels really good, like the beginning of something new.
My next call is to the real estate agent. “Yes, Fred? Remember that little cottage that I pulled the offer for? Well, it’s back on the table. I’d like it today, if possible. Okay, you check with the owners and get back to me.”
That doesn’t sound certain enough for me at all. I need this for my plan to work. I decide to sweeten the deal. “Okay, tell the owners that I’ll pay twenty-five percent over asking price plus owner’s closing cost. Cash. But only if the deal gets done today.”
Fred is so excited that he practically hangs up on me. I take a deep breath. I’m still feeling nervous about winning back Kaylee, but I’m feeling better and better about all of this new me stuff.
Okay, Chase, what’s next? Coffee. Coffee’s definitely next. I make a cup while I consider what to do next.
There’s a knock on the door. I answer it. Of course, it’s Ashley and Liam. I step aside to let them in.
Liam’s got crazy eyes as he barges in the door. He starts yelling. “Chase, Mark’s gone mad. He’s spreading crazy rumors about you resigning so he can take the CEO job for himself. What are we going to do?”
I walk toward the ocean side couch and tilt my head for him to follow. “I think you’re going to have to sit down, brother.”
He sits. Ashley trails behind, interested. But she doesn’t sit.
“Remember last night when Kaylee’s friend said that thing about me not liking my job? That was true.”
As I’m saying the words, the irony hits me that Kaylee, who I’ve known for only a few days, knows me better than my friends, co-workers, and even family. It makes me miss her even more.
“What?” He asks, surprised. “Then what the hell was all of this for? This whole weekend?”
He has a very good point. I shrug. “I guess it was about winning. And I know now that’s wrong.”
“You do?” Ashley breaks in, “what’s going on with you this morning, Chase? You quit the company just when you finally get the promotion, and now you admit being wrong.”
She stops to eye me with suspicion. “Are you having a mental break? Because I know an excellent place where you can get help.”
She pulls out her phone. “My friend, Eva, went there and she’s always talking about how much it helped her. I can get the number for you.”
“I’m okay,” I tell her. “Really.
