Page 74 of Vail

“My son visited you.”

“He did. I’m guessing he told you since I didn’t notice Rory placing a call.” I winked at Rory where he stood near the front of my studio.

“He texted me to let me know I found a good man in you. Of course, I already knew that.”

“Of course.”

“How busy are you?”

I glanced at my computer screen, at the list of orders to be completed. “Maybe I can take a break in a few months.”

“Hartley,” he growled. “If you need help, I’ll hire it for you.”

“No,” I said firmly. “I don’t care how busy I am or how many hours I put in; I’m not taking more of your money. You already gave me the store and the apartment. You paid for what I have inside. That’s more than enough.”

Instead of commenting on that, he asked, “How’s your grandfather’s house coming along?” We didn’t speak about it much. Partly because I was determined to drag it out of the debt he’d incurred on my own.

“I still have a bit to go but I was hoping to persuade you into a trip.”

“Didn’t you just say you were busy?”

“Yes, but I can get away for a weekend. Leave Friday night, fly back Sunday night. I’d like to go down there and check the place out. Make sure it’s still in one piece.” I had no family left who lived near there. Vail’s parents were still in North Carolina, but given the strained relationship he had with them, I wouldn’t ask them to look in on the house.

“I’ll contact my pilot and find out his schedule.”

“Wait, you have a pilot?”

“Yes,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Who the fuck has a pilot?” I meant that to be a thought, but I said it out loud.

“I have a plane.”

“You have a plane?” I yelled.

“Repeating what I say isn’t helping us here. What good would a pilot be without a plane?”

I stood and went into the back as Hazel quirked an eyebrow at me. At least in the break room I could close the door and not have Hazel hear me yell about the money Jordan had. “Were you ever going to tell us about your plane?”

“It hasn’t come up. Hart, I have a plane. A private jet really.”

“How much money do you have? Wait, don’t answer that. I don’t want to know. I’m still in shock about the plane.” You think you know someone and then find out they have their own fucking plane. I almost scoffed out loud. Almost.

“I’m sure I have other investments you’re unaware of that I can shock you with.” Jordan and the way he spoke… Like he was talking about what he had for lunch and not about the vast amount of money he amassed.

“Nope, I’m good. So, we’re going to take your plane to North Carolina?”

“Yes. With tomorrow being Saturday, this weekend is out and next weekend might be too soon. I’m not sure what Vail has planned. How about two weeks from now?”

“That will work. I can get anything finished I have to and be ready to spend the weekend staring at my grandfather’s run-down house.” Seeing it would remind me of the work that needed to be done. The money still owed as well. At least I was making a dent in it.

“Barry’s calling me. I’ll see you when you get home tonight.”

“Love you.”

“I love you too, Hart.”

Jordan and Vail had told me countless times how much they loved me. I still smiled when I heard it. They couldn’t say it too much. The words went right to my chest.

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