She put her phone away. “I’m not sure. I don’t think I want to be. I don’t want to make weekly trips to LA and have to stay over.”
“Couldn’t you just make it a day trip?”
“Not with this woman. We got there on Friday and I’m sure we spent forty-eight of the sixty hours we were there listening to her demands.”
“Good,” I said with a grin. “I don’t like the idea of you being away all the time. I’m a little selfish.”
Her pretty smile hit me low in my gut. It had been too long since I had seen her.
“That’s sweet,” she said. “What about you? You keep talking about this big project you are working on. I’m a little worried you’re turning into one of those mad scientists.”
“I can get obsessive. I don’t think I’m getting there just yet.”
“You said it was something big?”
I quickly explained to her about the rudder and my plans to change up my current designs. “I am hoping, once I have all the details ironed out, it is going to be another big gamechanger.”
“I have no doubt in my mind that it will.”
I nodded. The excitement of being on the verge of a breakthrough was like drinking straight shots of espresso. “If it does, it will change the entire shipping industry. Not just for the United States. If my plan works, there will be fewer repairs. Ships will stay out on the water, transporting product and making everyone a little happier. Shorter shipping times and lower shipping costs are exactly what we need.”
She was nodding her head and smiling. “I agree. I can’t believe I’m sitting with the guy that is changing the world. You seem so normal.”
“I am normal,” I retorted.
“Not even close to normal. I’m normal. You are extraordinary.”
“Be careful. You’re going to give me a big head.”
She leaned forward, eyes sparkling. “I don’t need to do anything to make that happen. Your head is plenty big.”
I closed my eyes and willed the erection that was threatening to split my zipper to settle down. “You are killing me.”
She grinned. “I would never want to do that.”
“Do you have to go back to the office?” I asked, hoping she would say no and we could squeeze in a little afternoon delight.
She sighed. “I do.”
“Dammit.”
“I’m sorry. Really, I am so damn sorry. What did your brother say when you told him about your new project?”
“I didn’t tell him. I haven’t talked to him except for once since he left here.”
She frowned. “Why not?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s just how we are.”
“I thought you wanted to change that?”
“I do.”
“Then you have to do things differently than you have in the past. If you want to make a change, you have to change your ways.”
“You are right. I’ll text him. I’m not sure if he is still in the States or not.”
“Good plan,” she said with a satisfied smile. “I know he will be very proud of you. Just as proud as I am.”
“Too bad our fathers didn’t feel the same,” I muttered.
“It is too bad, but it is their loss. They are missing out on the chance to know someone really special. You will be in the history books and they will be part of the group that tried to hold you back. I’m going to be in the group that cheered you on.”
“I like having you in my cheer section.”
“What about your friend, Charlie?”
“What about him?”
“Is he cheering you on?”
I laughed. “He is now. He wasn’t quite so cheerful when I called him around three this morning.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh no! Did you really?”
“I had a new idea and I wanted to run it by him,” I explained, not really seeing anything wrong with the call. Charlie certainly had.
“Was he pissed?”
“He threatened to remove certain body parts.”
She burst into laughter. “I might have to ask him to find other ways to get back at you. I like all of your body parts right where they are, as they are.”
I grinned. “Me too.”
“Is he helping you?”
“Yes, for the most part. The guy is a genius when it comes to the mechanical side of things. He could put together a boat with his eyes closed. He knows what will work and what won’t. He’s my sounding board. My ideas can be a little wild at times.”
“I’m glad you have a friend like that.”
“He’s demanding a percentage of the profits,” I told her.
“Are you going to concede to his demands?”
“Of course. I really couldn’t have done it without him. I’m not going to tell him that. Not yet. I still have a long ways to go before I can get this on an actual ship and in the water.”
“How long did it take you to get your first design sold?” she asked.
I blew out a breath. “Years. Probably about five years. Even after I got the design sold, it took another two years before it hit the water. None of this is fast. People think the government has red tape. They should see what it takes to build a ship.”
“I can only imagine,” she said. The waitress came by to take our orders.
“How are you and your dad?” I asked, broaching the subject that was still very sensitive.
She shrugged. “We aren’t exactly talking.”
“I am so fucking sorry,” I said. “I hate that I am the cause of strife between the two of you.”
“Don’t be sorry. This is on him. I know it will take some time, but I think he will come around eventually. It’s all a little raw for him right now, but he will have to learn to deal with it.”
“Has he shown any signs of dealing with it?”
She grimaced. “No.”
“I cannot begin to tell you how guilty I feel. I hate the way things have turned out.”
“It’s okay,” she assured me. “I am okay with it. At first, yes, I was hurt and angry. I think I’ve reached the point of acceptance. I can’t change him and I’m not going to try. I accept he can’t accept my decisions. Does that make any sense?”
I smiled and sipped my soda. “It does, coming from you. What about the awards banquet? Have you decided if you are going to go?”
“I am going. He can’t stop me. I’m not going to miss it.”
“Good for you. Stand strong.”
She blew out a breath. “It isn’t easy. I think it’s a very good thing I’ve been so busy. I don’t have a lot of time to think about it. I just keep moving forward.”
“That’s all you can do.”
“Do you want to go with me to the banquet?” she asked. “I know I’ve asked you before but I’m throwing it out there again.”
I slowly shook my head. “This is a big night for him. I don’t want to ruin it. He doesn’t like me, and I get it. I have enough respect for him to let him have his night without any drama.”
“You’re right. I’ve thought that as well. I want to be there, but if he is truly that mad at me, I don’t want to make it difficult for him. He should celebrate without worrying about me.”