Page 4 of Elemental Love
“Time is a strange thing. When you’re young and curious, it drags its heels. When you’re old and crotchety like me, it speeds past in the blink of an eye. Make every moment an adventure, Evrain. Don’t let the weight of responsibility bow those young shoulders before their time.”
“Wow, getting a bit deep there, Gregory. Why don’t we get back to what you were lying through your teeth about?”
“Ah. Well. I suppose I should confess that I do have a small stake in ThInk.”
“A small stake. What exactly does that mean?” Evrain forced himself to keep his voice low. “You have a few shares in the place, or you were best man at the chief executive’s wedding?”
“I might own the company,” Gregory mumbled.
“You own it. The whole company. Well, fuck.” Evrain downed the rest of his drink in one and regretted the lack of alcohol. “Unbelievable. Grandma’s been trying to persuade me to move to the States for the last three years. Is this all a collusion between the two of you to get me out of the UK?”
“Get off your high horse, boy. I showed Chip Franklin some of your work. It was his decision to offer you an interview. I had nothing to do with it.”
“You’re not messing with me? Because I can get off this plane in Seattle, buy a new ticket and head straight back across the pond, you know.”
“Evrain, I don’t want to swell that already cocky head of yours, but you have talent. You graduated a year early, for Christ’s sake. Your work is original, fresh… Perfect for a company like ThInk. Chip isn’t stupid. You’ll bring in big commissions and make him look good to the board. If he didn’t think you were worth the investment, he would have had no hesitation in kicking you into touch.”
Evrain slumped in his seat and tried not to smile. Pride had his lips twitching.
“Iamgood, aren’t I?”
Gregory rolled his eyes. “And arrogant with it. It’s time you learned to deal with the real world. It’ll do you good.”
“Hey, it’s hardly my fault that I’ve never had the chance.” Evrain picked at a loose thread in the seam of his black jeans. “You and Grandma saw to it that all my holidays were fully occupied. I could have stayed at home and flipped burgers to earn some pocket money.”
“The last time I ate one of your burgers at a family barbecue, I almost broke a tooth. It was like chewing on a lump of coal.”
“Flames don’t like me, you know that,” Evrain protested. “It just got away from me, and, before you ask, no I didn’t throw extra fuel on it.”
“Oh, believe me, I know you didn’t.”
Evrain gave his enigmatic godfather a sharp look. “Why is it that I always get the feeling there are double meanings in half the things you say? Grandma is just as bad. I’m convinced there’s some deep, dark family secret that you’re both keeping from me.”
Gregory drummed his fingers on the armrest of his seat. “What’s on that lunch menu? I’m starving.”
Evrain growled. He knew it was pointless to carry on interrogating Gregory. Once his godfather decided to clam up, there was no prizing open his lips. He retrieved his menu.
“Roasted cod, minted lamb shank or spinach and mushroom pasta. You’ll go for the lamb,” he said with some confidence.
“I’m getting predictable in my old age. You’re probably deciding between the fish or the vegetarian option.”
“I like the sound of both.”
“Bat your lashes at Samuel and he’ll probably let you have one of each. I’m paying enough for the damn tickets. He should be accommodating.”
“Think I’ll stick with the pasta.” Evrain glanced around the half-full cabin. Samuel was still serving drinks.
“Probably wise. There are some great seafood places in Portland if you know where to look. Of course, it’s not the same as being able to eat al fresco. Damn place is so wet.”
“I enjoy the rain,” Evrain said. He wasn’t kidding, he loved the romanticism of wild weather.
“Well, you’ll have plenty of fun in Oregon then.”
“I’m looking forward to city living. It’s great to have an apartment set up ready for me.”
“You’ll pay rent just like all the other tenants. No family favors because I own the building. It is in a nice spot, though, and I had to fight off several potential tenants to keep this unit free for you. It’s fully furnished but I’m sure you’ll add your own touches. Though Coryn has already been in there. He said it needed to be more ‘homey and welcoming’.”
“That’s kind of him. If you had your way, everything would be gray and black.”
