Page 83 of Beau Pair
Beau
“What are you doing?” Gordon asks me when he comes down in the morning.
He wanted me to come with him so I could get some sleep, but it was impossible. I couldn’t stop fidgeting, so I ended up sketching the whole night.
“Oh. Designing some stuff,” I tell him, and he comes over to give me a kiss, taking a look at my sketchbook over my shoulder.
“What are these?” he asks, leaning into the crook of my neck.
“Well, you know those readers Dolly mentioned at the party yesterday? I’ve had, like, a dozen messages asking me for custom stuff. So, I thought I’d draft some ideas, and they can pick what they want. Apparently, they liked the idea of versatile toddler clothes,” I tell him.
He uses a hand to turn the pages on the book, and I turn my head to watch his reaction.
His smile deepens the more pages he turns. That’s a good sign, right?
“Those are brilliant, Beau. You know…” He lifts his head off my shoulder and sits down on the chair next to me. “You could make a business out of this. If you like it.”
I shrug and put the sketchbook down.
“Coffee?” I ask him.
“Yes, please,” he says.
I get up to put a brew on and boil the kettle a second time for some tea, and while both machines start working their magic, I look over to him.
“You really think I can make this into… something?” I ask him.
“Of course. You’re very talented, and these clothes are very nice. And I’m assuming from the barrage of messages you got there’s a gap in the market for you. I can help you set everything up. But only if you really like doing this,” he says.
“I do. I really enjoy it. And it seems my inspiration is back. Although it could be because I’m back home.”
The coffee maker beeps, and I turn to prepare his coffee.
“Great. We can put together a business plan if you want and figure out all the logistics.”
I pass him his coffee, then make my tea and sit back down.
“You don’t have to do that. You’re already busy enough,” I tell him.
“I won’t be very soon.” He sips his coffee, and I take the chance to stare him down.
“What-what does that mean?”
Gordon sets his cup down on the table and takes my hands in his.
“I was gonna tell you when we went back, but this happened,” he says. “I’ve made a decision. Well, it’s more than a decision. I’ve already announced it. I’m selling all my equity and assets.”
“What?” I gape.
Gordon loves his work. I see him checking emails every night before going to bed and putting together plans on the weekends. The man never stops and loves all his investments. Why would he do something like that?
“Why?” I ask.
Gordon smiles. “You. Elsie. All of us. I want to spend more time with my daughter. And you. I’ve been considering this for a while, but I thought my life would be boring without all the workload.”
“And… what’s changed?”
“Well, you. You made me realize how much I’m missing out on. I’d much rather lie on the couch with you in my arms watching Warrior Nuns running around on TV than micro-managing people. I’d rather have adventures with Elsie in the park than spending all day on calls trying to get a supplier to reduce their cost price.”
