Now I have a view of the lake, the mountains, and my girlfriend.
Girlfriend. It feels natural to think of her as that, to call her that, but a part of me wonders what the hell I’m doing.
“I can’t imagine anyone coming here and actually leaving,” she says dreamily.
“Like us?” I remind her.
“OK, leaving and not coming back.”
“So I take it you’ll approve of me taking the European market lead from Hayden?”
Chari’s eyes widen. “Are you serious?”
“Deadly serious,” I manage without a smile.
“But you’re already so busy.”
I can’t argue with her on that front.
“We shifted some things around this morning. With his baby and all”—I shrug—“it makes sense. Besides, I told him there’s no chance you’ll miss out on the next Montreux trip.”
“So we’ll be back?” The excitement in her eyes will make the added workload worth it. I really shouldn’t have suggested it. Hayden thinks I’m nuts. But I can tell this place has burrowed its way into Chari’s soul. And sure, we’ll have to work around her school schedule for trips, but we can do it. I think.
“We will,” I say.
Chari and I exchange a look. It’s time.
“I’m not a hundred percent positive how this is going to work,” I admit. “With you in PA. I work a ton, Chari.”
She takes a sip of coffee, looking out toward the balcony where I just spent three hours on my laptop. “I can see that.”
“In some ways, we’re still a start-up. Between my involvement in the development side of things and my inability to give up control, it’s a lot.”
Chari laughs. “At least you can admit to your faults.”
“Some of us actually have them,” I tease.
“Are you kidding me? I have a ton of them.”
I try to think of one. “Such as?”
“Well, there’s the whole eggs with ketchup thing. Lisa would definitely count that as one of my faults.”
“So your palate isn’t totally refined. What else?”
Chari cocks her head to the side. “I’m too optimistic.”
“That’s one of those non-fault faults,” I say with a laugh. “And you know it.”
“And I’ve been told I’m a hypochondriac.”
“That I won’t argue with.” Chari has a long history of being convinced she has one ailment or another. Personally, I think it has something to do with her father. I can’t remember when she last brought him up in conversation, which I’m sure can’t be a good thing.
Though I’m no psychologist. If I were, I’d have fixed myself years ago.
“So that’s it? You like ketchup with eggs, and I’ll need to keep your doctor on speed dial? I think I can handle that.”
A shadow passes quickly across her face, and it’s obvious from her expression that her mood has turned more serious.
“What is it?”
Chari pretends to be nonchalant, but I can tell she’s anything but.
“I hope I can hang with all of this.”
“All of what?”
“This.” She waves a hand around the room. “The luxuries. The protocols. There are times I feel”—she frowns—“like a country bumpkin.”
I remember that feeling well.
“It’s a lot,” I admit. “But I had Hayden to show me the ropes. And you have me.”
I lean forward to make sure she understands this point is important. “More importantly, it doesn’t matter. If you use the wrong fork, say the wrong thing . . . I don’t give a shit. And neither should you.”
I can tell she’s not convinced, so I try a different tactic. Reaching for my phone, I press the screen to check the time and mumble, “Plenty of time.”
Her brows furrow. “For?”
I put down my coffee mug. “You have to ask?”
Chari realizes my intentions pretty quickly. I grab her as she stands from her chair, my hands not waiting until we reach the bed.
“If you ever decide to start wearing underwear,” I manage, “we’re done.”
Her laugh echoes in my ear just before it turns into the sweetest sharp gasp as I plunge my fingers into her wet warmth.
No, I don’t want to leave Switzerland. Or Chari.
But unfortunately, I have to do both today. Just not before I make sure this is one long weekend she won’t forget anytime soon.
24
Chari
“Oh my God, it’s Enzo.”
Lisa and I are on her couch, a pizza box on the table in front of us. From DeLuca’s, of course. I can’t help but think how different this Friday night is from the one I had a week ago.
Lisa was about to stream French Kiss, an old movie, but she has an unhealthy love affair with Kevin Kline. No one gets it, including me. But the news caught her attention. Our attention. Sure enough, there he is.
“Turn it up.” I lean forward to listen.
“A successful European launch of Angel, Inc. begins to raise some of the same questions as it has in the States. With the success of a unique alcohol and its accompanying antidote, will DeLuca and Tanner, owners of a now-global brand, be faced with mounting pressure from brewers and wine-makers alike to partner with them?”
I try to place the setting and realize this must have been filmed last Friday morning, when Enzo left the hotel early for his meetings. He didn’t even mention being interviewed.
“As always, we’re going to keep our focus on what our brand offers, which is a safer way to consume alcohol, whether it’s here in Europe or anywhere else in the world.”
“Holy shit, Char. He’s so freaking hot. When did that happen?”
I roll my eyes. “Ages ago. How did you not notice?”
Lisa grabs a slice of pizza. “I mean, it’s hard not to notice the DeLuca brothers. But you know I’ve always thought Tris was the cute one.”
I’m only half listening as the interview with Enzo wraps up.
“Did you hear anything I just said?”
I look at her, guilty. “Something about Tris?”
Lisa finishes chewing her pizza. “If I were to date a DeLuca, it would be Tris. But I do get Enzo’s appeal.”
I stare at her openmouthed. “You get his appeal?” There are no words really. “The guy is drop-dead gorgeous. He’s super nice. A good friend. Hardworking. Smart. A true romantic. And don’t get me started on how good he is in bed. Seriously, I can’t close my eyes without remembering—”
She waved me off. “Like I said, I get it. No need to sell me on him.”
“I’m just saying, how could you compare him to Tris?”
Lisa shrugs. “Maybe because I’m not in love with him?”
I blink, pretending I haven’t already turned the thought around in my mind. It’s not some big revelation, really. I’ve sort of been in love with Enzo for most of my life. But now that we’re actually together . . .
“Look at you. You’re a million miles away.”
She’s right. My poor kiddos. It’s been impossible to concentrate at work.