Even thinking about moving on hurt my heart. “You’re right. I think I know what to do, but to actually do it freaks me out a little.”
“Let me give you a piece of advice that someone once told me a long time ago. When you wake up in the morning, do you want to think about what you should have done? Or do you want to wake up in the morning and feel that sense of calm and confidence that goes with knowing you have done all you could do?”
“Well, obviously the latter,” I answered.
He shrugged a shoulder. “I guess you know what to do.”
“Thank you,” I told him. “I’m glad we’re speaking again. I don’t like you being mad at me.”
“I wasn’t necessarily mad,” he answered.
“You were angry with my choices. I get it. We will learn from this and move forward.”
“All I ask is you don’t start hanging out at biker bars. Do not bring home a man with leather and chains. I can handle a lot, but that might be pushing it.”
“What about a rock star?” I teased.
He groaned. “I’m old, and you are trying my nerves.”
“Thanks, Dad. I appreciate your wisdom. I better get a move on. I have to meet with a client and I expect it to be a long meeting.”
“Take care of yourself,” he said. “Don’t let this eat you up. Find a way to get your answers and then move forward.”
I got up from the table. He stood as well. I gave him a hug. “I will.”
“Please reach out if you need an ear to bend. No matter what happens, I’ll support you.”
“I will. I’ve got an event Saturday. I’ll call you on Sunday.”
“Take care of yourself,” he said as I walked out.
I got in my car and released a long breath. I was so glad we were back on track with our relationship. After seeing the relationship between Xander and his father, I knew how lucky I was to have a dad that loved me. I was not going to take him for granted. We would have our differences, but I wasn’t ever going to let that happen again.
Now that I knew what to do, I just had to get the balls to actually do it. I was a straight shooter, but in this situation, I was terrified. I was worried about what his answer would be. I knew what I wanted but I didn’t want to put myself out there and let him stomp all over me. No matter how confident I was, I still had my own hang-ups and being rejected by a man like Xander was one of them.
Xander was gorgeous. He was wealthy, and whether he chose to believe it or not, he was a good man. Women would line up for the chance to be with him. Those little insecurities I felt had been creeping up on me all week.
They were making it difficult for me to believe there was a future for me and Xander.
Chapter 57
Xander
I walked out of the airport, and the California sun immediately warmed my skin. I didn’t think I would ever be back, but here I was. Charlie’s words had hit home. I needed to do something to fix the mess I created. I called earlier to have a car waiting for me at the airport. Charlie didn’t know I was coming. I wanted to surprise him like he’d surprised me.
I was dropped off at the massive building where he worked. Thankfully, security recognized me and let me in. Charlie was not on the floor, but he was in his office, which worked out great for me. I knocked once before letting myself in.
“Excuse me,” he said with irritation before he looked up and saw me. He wore a shocked look on his face. “Holy shit.”
“I’ll take that as a good holy shit.”
“You’re back!”
I held up a hand. “No. I’m here to see you.”
“Oh. I’m afraid to ask why. Do I dare ask you to sit?”
“I’m going to anyway,” I quipped.
I sat down and looked around this office. It was small, dark, and filled with books covered with greasy fingerprints.
“What’s going on?” he asked, getting right to the point.
“I thought about what you said to me,” I told him. “I’m here to fix it.”
“I said a lot to you. I think you’re going to need to be more specific.”
“About your crew,” I clarified. “You are right. I left you and them in a lurch. That wasn’t cool. I want to try and make it better.”
“Does that mean you’re going to present your design to the shipping world?”
I winced. “No.”
“Then what? I think you might have missed the entire point of our conversation. I wanted you to get back in the saddle.”
“I’m not ready to do it right now, but that doesn’t mean I won’t eventually do it.”
He sighed, shaking his head. “I’m glad you’re considering it, but I have to say that doesn’t do me a lot of good right now. Those guys out there aren’t going to feed their families with eventually. I’m sitting on my ass in here doing nothing just so I have work for at least one or two guys to do.”
“I get it. I know things are not great right now. I’m going to pay your payroll for the month. Keep them on. I don’t know if you want them to deep clean the shop or organize bolts but keep them on. I’m covering their wages.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You are not asking. I’m offering. No, I am doing it. This is how I am going to fix the problem I created.”
“Xander, I never intended for you to do that. I only wanted to explain to you the ramifications of your decisions. You are not on the hook for this.”
“I am on the hook. I’ve already talked with my accountant and the funds will be transferred to your business account to be distributed as you see fit.”
“But how do you know how much?”
I winked. “I know people who know people, and when the situation was explained, no one was fighting the influx of cash.”
“Thank you. Honestly, I do appreciate this but more importantly, those men will appreciate this. It’s not a long-term solution but I hope you are willing to talk about what that looks like.”
I nodded. “I am considering some different options. I am not willing to commit to anything, but you will be the first to know when I figure something out.”
“Good. Will you be staying in town?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Are you going home?”
“I am going to see Evie,” I answered.
He smiled. “Gee, I’m surprised.”
“She’s a lot prettier than you.”
“Are you going to stay?” he asked the question again.
“I don’t think so. I don’t feel like this is home anymore.”
“What about your house?”
“I haven’t decided.”
“I’m glad you’re back, even if it’s only for a few days. Don’t do anything rash. Not yet. Enjoy the weekend with your woman. I know she will be more persuasive than I could ever be.”
That had me smiling. “That’s for sure. Then again, I’ve been absent and neglectful. I’m not sure how happy she will be to see me.”
“Does she know you’re here?”