Page 124 of Rebellious Hearts
I would give it all up for him, if that was what it meant to have him in my life.
But instead, with him in my life, I was allowed to have it all.
39
BEN
“That’s right, it’s all custom-made,” I said to my new client on the phone. “We’ll fly you in to look at the options, and you can decide exactly how you want it.”
A knock sounded on my door.
“That’s perfect. I’ll wait to hear from your assistant, and we’ll take it from there,” I said.
The door opened and someone walked in, but I focused on my laptop, entering the new details of the client so that we could get this plane sale through.
Work had been so good lately. It was almost as if my mood, my new outlook on life, changed the way clients responded to me and how many sales I made.
“I’ll be with you in a second,” I said, not looking up, and I made the final notes.
When I finally looked up, Richard Thompson stood in front of me. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed back, his beard trimmed, and his dark eyes rested on my face.
“Richard,” I said, surprised. “What are you doing here?”
I stood and walked around my desk, extending my hand.
Richard took it, to my surprise. The last time we’d seen each other we hadn’t exactly parted on good terms.
“I wanted to talk to you,” Richard said. “I thought it would be better in person.”
I nodded and gestured to the armchairs that faced my desk so he could take a seat.
“Can I get you something to drink? I can order coffee for us—”
“No, nothing, thanks,” Richard said with a wave of his hand.
He crossed one leg over the other and unbuttoned his blazer before he put both arms on the armrests and looked at me.
His expression was a little disconcerting but I kept my poker face in place, offering him a million-dollar smile.
“How can I help you?” I had no idea what he would be here for.
“I saw the press release on TV,” Richard started.
I wasn’t sure how to respond.
“Is it true that you’re funding the project yourself?”
I nodded. “We’re starting next month with the basics. The idea, as you know, is to eventually have a Blackwood factory and marina there, but the town can use the help, and I’d like to focus on that first. The yacht business is booming as it is, and the new location for our branch can wait a while longer.”
“Mm,” Richard said and I had no idea what he was thinking. “I didn’t expect that from you.”
I blinked at him. “I’m not sure what you’re referring to.”
“You, putting your own money behind it. You didn’t strike me as the humanitarian type.”
“I wasn’t, to tell you the truth,” I said honestly. “I was fighting a lot of demons, and sometimes, it makes a man unable to see past his own struggles. But I’ve had a few epiphanies along the way, and the simple fact is that the people of Harborview could really use the rejuvenation. I’ve seen what their circumstances are, and I want to make a difference.”
Richard narrowed his eyes at me. “How involved is Sofia in this?”
