Hannah shakes her head, kissing me softly on the lips. “I don’t want to go back.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, stroking her back and looking in her eyes. “You told me your job was important to you.”
“It was, but I found something more important. And I was thinking . . . if Oliver’s going to send you to manage Wesley’s estate, you might need a partner.”
“Hmm . . .” I tease. “Well, Cassie does know the place pretty well.”
Hannah laughs, tugging on my hair. “Don’t make me go rough next time. I’ll still go Katniss on your ass if I have to.”
I laugh, kissing her soft lips. “It’d be a dream come true for us to be back there together.”
Chapter 27
Hannah
The clock is just hitting noon as I come into the office the next day after grabbing the first flight home. I was certain I’d have armed security guards waiting for me the moment I walked into Aurora, along with a team of lawyers. Nobody says anything though, but still, I feel certain they’ll read all over my face how their plan has backfired.
I was honest with Tony last night. I don’t want to come back here. But I need to talk to Myra and give my notice. She’s treated me right, and to just bounce in the middle of the night after cutting Aurora’s hamstrings isn’t right. Still, I’m nervous as I step off the elevator, expecting either icy silence or a hail of gunfire.
As it is, as soon as I step off the elevator to the fifth floor, Cassie takes one look at me and grabs my hands. “What’s going on, Hannah? Listen, I know we talked, but . . . it’s been a madhouse here this morning. Myra’s been upstairs most of the time, and I swear it’s like a mausoleum today. Myra came down a few minutes ago, and she looks like she’s aged a decade since nine this morning.”
“I—” I begin, but before I can fill Cassie in on the details of everything that happened last night, Myra pops her head out her doorway.
“Hannah? You’re finally here. I need to see you and Miss White immediately, please.”
Cassie’s eyes are desperate. She wants details about what happened, but I just shake my head at her as we walk into Myra’s office together and sit. Cassie’s right, Myra looks for the first time like a woman who’s seen her best days behind her. Her face looks slightly lined, and her hair hangs limply. Even her suit looks rumpled. She just looks tired.
“The board received a rather distressing call from Mr. Mobber this morning. He’s enacted an obscure clause in the contract that no one realized was there, the legal department included. I’m sure heads are going to roll for that. If I were either of you, I’d avoid the tenth floor unless you want to get blood on your shoes.”
“Eww,” Cassie murmurs, going a trifle paler. She’s looking rather Goth at this point, with her red lipstick and near-ash-white skin.
Myra gives a tired sort of chuckle, nodding. “Yeah. Clause 31E effectively means that he can cancel his intent to sell to Aurora with no penalties other than returning the down payment we already transferred to him.”
“That’s . . . interesting,” I reply as Myra gives me a level look. I can’t reveal that I tipped off Wesley. It’d get my ass sued from now until I’m a grandparent, and if it came out that Tony was involved too, Oliver would find himself the most successful coffee shop owner in the welfare office. I have to dance on the edge of a knife right now and pray that Wesley is as much of a shark as he claims to be. “How?”
Myra shakes her head. “Somehow, he seems to have gotten information on our plans for the property. According to Mobber, what Aurora had planned violates local laws on exploitation, and so he triggered the clause unilaterally.”
“Can he do that?” Cassie, who wasn’t involved last night, asks in shock.
“Of course he can,” Myra grumbles. “I just got back from a meeting with the board, and Mr. Thompson, head of legal, was in there. Apparently, he had the nuclear option in his back pocket the entire time and triggered it as soon as he caught wind of what we were going to do. The question the board has right now is how Mobber found out.”
“What are they thinking?” I ask, knowing my face might as well be a giant sign that’s flashing GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY over and over.
Myra gives me a look, leaning back in her chair. “There’s suspicions flying all around. I’m not going to lie. A couple of those accusations have been leveled at this floor. But Mobber’s not saying, and the company had already gotten in contact with quite a few sources in Hawaii, so it could be any number of people. Of course, everyone is denying it. They don’t want to have legal on their asses. Do you two know anything?”
I stay silent, Cassie looking at me with her lip trembling. She’s been so helpful and loyal to a fault. If she sells me out, she can save herself, maybe even get a promotion out of it. But instead, she says nothing, and I give her a look and a small nod. “I’m sorry, Myra, but I really have no idea.”
Myra nods, her face grim. “Well, let’s just say that, hypothetically, of course, Wesley got the information from someone at Aurora. The witch hunt is going to get pretty hard and heavy around here, with a lot of eyes on this floor. By the way, corporate’s told me that they’re going to be going into fire sale mode on the real estate development side.”
“Let me guess, they’ll call it corporate restructuring?” I ask, and Myra nods. I sigh, knowing what I’m going to say next is going to make this more difficult. “Then I guess I’ll get it started early. Myra, I came in today to give you my notice. I’m quitting.”
Myra doesn’t look surprised and instead leans back. “You know that by doing that, you’re going to get a lot of people saying you’re the leak. You practically broadcast it to the entire building the other day that you hated the plans.”
I nod and take a breath. “Myra, I have learned so much from you, and your mentoring has taught me many things. You taught me how to read people and negotiate, when to show your cards and when to bluff, and most importantly, to trust your gut. But the biggest lesson you taught me, I don’t think you’ve even realized.”
“What’s that?” Myra asks. Next to me, I can see Cassie watching intently. She’s being brave, oh, so brave, that I wish I could hug her right now. But I need to tell Myra this.
“Myra, you showed me, and I bet if you ask Cassie, she’ll tell you the same thing—you showed us that sometimes, you just have to do it your way. I don’t know, maybe you filtered Sinatra a bit too damn much when you were younger, but you made it by doing what you felt was the right thing. I learned that by watching and learning from you. I’m resigning because it’s the right thing to do. This company took my hard work and they perverted it from minute one. Not you, but corporate. They fed me a line of bullshit, played me like a pawn, and then at the end, they didn’t even have the presence of mind to say thank you. It’s just not the kind of place I want to work.”
Myra’s eyebrows have risen nearly to her hairline, but she doesn’t appear angry, more pleased at my little speech. “Nice speech, Hannah, but your resignation is not accepted.”
“What?” I ask, surprised, but Myra’s expression gives me pause. “What are you doing?”
“Saving your ass,” Myra says with a small smile. “Hannah Fowler, effectively immediately, you are fired. Your position is being eliminated as a budget saving measure for the real estate division of Aurora. Aurora wishes you the best in your future endeavors.”
I laugh softly. Myra’s covering my ass. If she fires me, she might take some heat, but it’ll take heat off me. “You sure about this?”
“I’m sure,” Myra says. “And if I may, one last lesson . . . I’ve always considered myself rather bold, but you have some big clanking brass balls. Use them wisely.” Myra laughs and sticks her hand out for a shake. “Best wishes, Miss Fowler. I’ll give you a glowing recommendation anytime you need one.”
With a clap, she turns to Cassie. “Alright Miss White, now with our office being shorthanded—”
“I’m leaving too,” Cassie says, her mou
th set in that same line of determination I’ve gotten used to seeing. This is the same Cassie who fought like a mongoose on speed during the tug of war. “I can’t stick around—”
“Yes, you can,” I say, reaching over and taking Cassie’s hand. “Cass, I’ve got something else lined up.” I’m sure Myra knows it, looking over at her. “But you? You need this. Stick around a little while, help Myra get the fire sale going, get the ball rolling. Cash your paychecks and make connections. Protect yourself.”
“Listen to Hannah,” Myra says quietly. “Stick around, and I’ll make sure you’re taken care of. Besides, I was going to say, you just got a promotion to my primary assistant. Real estate’s going to work as a two-woman shop until we get either absorbed or closed down. Give me three to six months, and I’ll make sure there’s a good severance check in it for you. Just make sure you’re prepared for what’s next.”
Cassie looks determined, and I give her hands another squeeze, leaning in to whisper to her. “Say yes. I just had an idea, and we’ll talk about it in my office. Let me go clean out my things.”
“Fine, fine . . . pair of crazy ass bitches around here,” Cassie mutters. “Okay, but that means I’m done cleaning out the coffee pot around here.”
I give Cassie a quick hug and collect a few things from my desk before waiting. Cassie comes out a few minutes later, looking afraid but still brave, willing to do what needs to be done. “So, you’re packed?”
“Yeah,” I reply, patting the small box of stuff. I never kept a lot of personal things in the office, and my office laptop, I just made sure was scrubbed of any personal files. “Listen, when things are done here with Aurora, give me a call. I suspect that with what’s happening, I’m going to be meeting some new people. Between your charm and a sparking recommendation from Myra and me, I’m sure we can find something you’d be perfect for.”
Cassie laughs and comes over, giving me another quick hug. “Well, if that’s the case, maybe I can cash a few checks. Don’t become a stranger, okay?”
“Stranger? I’m planning on taking you out to dinner tonight!” I tease. “Us fired people, we’ve got all the money we need. I’m getting some pizzas and then you’re helping me pack up my stuff!”
“Moving too, huh?” Cassie asks, and I nod. “I can guess where. Probably won’t need that heavy leather jacket where you’re going.”
“Not in the long term,” I agree. “In the short term, who knows? I’m just going by my gut and faith. Give me a call when you get off work, and we’ll make some plans.”
I head back to my apartment, not as bothered by its emptiness this time because I’m just here to gather up my bare necessities. I’ll have movers pack and ship the bulk of my things and donate the rest because my new life awaits in Hawaii.
Chapter 28
Anthony
“This place had better have some good rum and whiskey, otherwise I don’t think I’ll be able to handle all this riff raff!”
I grin as I look over at Ivy Jo Price, who’s scowling in her seat as the hum of the plane engine drones in the background. Armed with her cane and wide brim hat, she looks like she’s ready to do battle.
“What riff raff, Grandma?” Mindy asks, who’s sitting beside her and cooing softly to her daughter to keep her quiet. “You’re surrounded by your grandchildren and great-grand babies. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Ivy Jo stares at her granddaughter as if she’s gone nuts. “I am, but then I keep having to listen to Mary Jo go on about that damn dog! I told her she couldn’t bring the thing and she’s not letting me forget it! Like it’s my fault that dog wasn’t allowed as a carry-on!” She shakes her head mournfully. “So disrespectful. Why, when I was younger . . .”
Caleb, who’s been getting his ear talked off between Mom and Ivy Jo, gives me a look of suffering. Okay, so it was a little unfair, but that was the way first-class was laid out, three and two. And he seems to put up with the eccentricities of older women like Ivy Jo better than the rest of us. “Tony?”
“Hey, it could be worse,” I reply, pointing behind me, where Roxy and Cassie have been going since takeoff. Thankfully for Jake, he was willing to sit between two baby carriers, so Justin, my new little nephew, and Mindy’s newborn baby girl, Rachel, had plenty of care and Jake could get some sleep.
“Hey, Studmuffin, you hush before you’re in my next song!” Roxy teases, reaching around and ruffling my hair. “Gotcha!”
“You’re a mother now. You’d think you’d grow up some!” I protest, trying not to laugh. Now that I’ve got Roxy not only as a sort of sister-in-law but also as my girlfriend’s bestie, I’ve gotten to know her a lot better, and she’s been a real trip. I can see why she and Hannah get along so well.
We land and get our rental vehicles, leaving Honolulu behind to head directly to Wesley’s property. There’ll be time for touristy stuff later.
When we arrive, there’s stunned silence as everyone takes in the beauty. They’ve all seen photos—Hannah’s gigabytes of memories have helped—but there’s nothing like the real thing. Wesley’s waiting as we pull up, Mo Mo on his shoulder. “Pleasant greetings, travelers and friends! Welcome to what’s soon not going to be my home!”
I laugh, getting out to shake his hand, only slightly surprised when he gives me a huge embrace before hugging Hannah as well. He goes around shaking hands with everyone else until he reaches Mindy and Roxy’s grandmother. “What in the Lord’s name is that on your head? Looks like you took my kitchen mop and decided to use it as a hat!”
Wesley chuckles. “Well, Alani has been asking me to get it shaved off, so I guess that makes it unanimous. Would you like to have one of the locks, like they do when they cut a retiring sumo champion’s hair?”
Ivy Jo makes a face and then looks at me. “Tony, if you let your hair grow into a rat’s nest like that, I’ma take a butane torch to your head!”
“Rat nest!” Mo Mo echoes. “Don’t need no water, let the motherfucker burn!”
“I like this bird,” Roxy says, chuckling. “Good taste in music.”
“Shake your rump!” Mo Mo says, starting a little boogie on Wesley’s shoulder, and we all laugh. I let Wesley take the lead, transferring us to quad runners for the post-natal women and Ivy Jo as he shows off his property. Everyone’s enchanted, and more than once, Oliver gives me a look that says he’s counting his lucky stars.
“And right up that trail is where the hiking challenge took place,” Wesley says. “I was planning on taking you all up there for sunset. The view is fantastic.”
“Just a moment,” I interrupt. “You know, I wanted to grab a midday photo from up there. Hannah, if you don’t mind?”
“Sure,” Hannah says, not seeing as I give Wesley a wink.
Hannah gets off her quad runner, letting Gavin take over while Cassie takes mine. It gives them time to go around the long way and still get there ahead of us. I take Hannah’s hand, and we start up the trail, relishing the clean, wonderful air. “I’m glad for the quiet.”
Hannah laughs. “You know, I can’t believe how everything worked out. I’m going to be dead broke for a while longer still, but that’s okay. In the end, the right thing happened.”
“What about Cassie and Myra?” I ask, and Hannah smiles.
“Cassie says that for a little while, at least, she’s gonna help out Roxy and Jake until she figures things out. Apparently, they need a fill-in bartender over at Club Jasmine, and she’s still got her server’s license from back in college,” Hannah says. “She’ll be fine. She says she’s happier this way. Myra’s moving on too, striking out on her own. I don’t know what all she’s got planned, but knowing her, she’ll come out just fine.”
We reach the top and head over to the blue rose bush. I wrap my arms around Hannah, kissing her neck. She moans lightly, humming with happiness. “You know, I’m all sweaty. That walk wasn’t any easier this time around.”
I chuckle, wrapping my arms around her tighter and licking the salty tang off he
r skin. “I happen to know a nice little pool and cave where we can go cool off.”
“Mmmm . . . I was thinking the same thing,” Hannah says, taking my hand and placing it on her left breast. “I was thinking some other things, too.”
“Like what?”
“Like the bathroom in the airplane was too damn small to do what I wanted,” Hannah says, tilting her head and giving me a warm kiss. “Come on.”
We walk hand in hand to the pool, where the birds are quiet but the water’s crystal clear. “This place is gonna be special to us,” I say as we draw closer. “Hey, what’s that?”
“What’s what?”
“That,” I say, pointing. “Something in the shallows behind you.”
Hannah turns, seeing the glinting light. “I’m not sure . . .”
Hannah kneels and reaches into the water, and I try to hold onto my serious expression, waiting for her reaction.
“It’s a ring . . . and it looks like it’s got one hell of a diamond in it,” she says. “I wonder who it belongs to?”
“Let me see,” I say. She hands me the ring, and I grin, getting down on a knee. “It’s yours, if you’ll have me. Hannah Fowler . . . will you marry me?”
Hannah’s shocked, barely breathing as she looks at the ring, and a quiet voice comes from nowhere. “I would accept. According to some of the villagers, you’re already married.”
Hannah looks over, a startled gasp coming from her as Alani leads everyone to the other side of the pool. “What?”
“That place we went to the night of the festival,” I tell her, grinning. “According to Alani, it’s an old native temple. Basically, by doing what we did, we told the gods that we were one. So . . . how about making it legal in the eyes of modern law too?”
She’s shocked, and tears trickle from her eyes. “Oh, my God, yes. But . . . when? We’re going to be so busy with—”
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