Page 53 of Surrender

I watch Alexandra lean in and whisper to Ava’s boss’s ear. His eyes are on me the entire time. He listens to every word before saying a couple of his own, “Thank you.” I shove my hands in my pockets trying in vain to become interested in any of the conversation going on around me. It all feels forced, fake, and trite.

When the server floats by with a tray full of champagne glasses, I don’t hesitate to grab one closest to me. I would usually ask others around me if they want one, my manners are another thing that are simply gone. I can feel Nico glaring up at me in her peripheral vision, then maintaining a smile for anyone around us.

Aaron, Julian, and Alexandra make their way into another group and conversation. I’m left with just Nico and an empty glass. “You need to perk up, Rafi. This could make or break you getting this project you wanted.”

“It’s not a matter of want anymore.”

Nicolette turns away from the crowd so no one will be able to read her lips. “Someone set you off. Tell me.”

“Nic, let it go please. I’m begging you.”

“If you want me to turn all business, fine. This is your manager talking. You have one first impression. It was fine until Aaron came over. He is not who you have to impress, but I will tell you, he has a ton of influence here in the South and up in New York. He’s not the type to be negative about anyone, however, if you piss him off, it could go that direction. I need you to tell me what I’m dealing with.”

I run my hand through my hair as I’m offered a refill and eagerly take it. “That’s not a topic I’m willing to get into here. I’m doing my best. If it’s not good enough, I can go back to the hotel.”

She smiles so no one can see the steam beginning to build inside her. “You turned on a dime. That’s not something I’m used to and more than that, talking to me like that will get you nowhere. Now, you’re an actor, turn it on and I’ll table this for later.”

“Careful, that sounds a little like blackmail,” I tell her.

“I call it a job necessity for tonight. I know what being in Atlanta for another three to six month stint would mean to you. You seemed more at ease here than I’ve seen you in a couple of months. Now I will take my manager hat off and put my partner hat on, you’re not happy. I would like to understand why. That can be part of our conversation.”

“Fine. Fuck,” I growl under my breath.

“I want you to smile that smile of yours and let’s get closer to closing this deal.” She’s right in some ways. I do want this job, not as much as an hour ago, but I know it will open many doors if it happens. “Now, I’m going to freshen up, then we can go back to working the room.” She reaches up and kisses my cheek before leaving me with my second nearly empty glass.

I take two steps forward to an empty high-top table near me and set my glass down. Reaching inside my jacket pocket, I pull out my cell phone. After unlocking it, I find I have no messages from Ava, no calls saying she wants to talk again…nothing.

“She won’t call.” I look to my right where the voice is coming from. There stands Aaron with a tumbler of something very amber in his right hand and his left hand is fully secure in his pocket. “I don’t know how well you know her, but if she’s made up her mind to be done with something, or someone, that’s what will happen.”

“I’d like to think I know her better than you assume.”

I watch his fingers flex so hard around the glass, I wait for it to shatter. “Rafael, I’m not a violent person, but I can solidly say that if we weren’t in this room surrounded by our colleagues, I’d lay you out and not think twice about it.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“You’re right. I don’t. I do know her though. She is family. I’ve made her my family. She’s not one to shy away from anything. I’ve seen changes in her over the past few weeks and I didn’t put it all together until she told me what’s been going on with her…and you.

“Ava doesn’t request much from anyone, except for one thing…honesty. She had to have been implicit about that. It’s a damn caveat to every negotiation she enters. You crossed possibly her only hard limit. I’m telling you straight, if she said goodbye to you tonight, you need to leave her be.”

My fingers reach down for the bracelet she picked out for me on the island. I rub over every blue bead in the hopes of keeping my bubbling emotions in check. “From what I gather, you have known Nicolette for a while, yes?”

“For about four years, yes,” he says.

“How well?”

“Professionally. I don’t know what that has to do with anything.”

“You don’t know anything about her, or my interactions with her personally then.”

“Again, what’s your point?”

“My point is you’re making assumptions based on what your sources have told you, what you think you see, or what you infer from what your colleagues have desired to portray. You should know better than that.”

Aaron leans in so no one else but us hears what he’s about to say. “Rafael, all I need to know is that you betrayed someone very close to me. I won’t forget that. I’m not going to ask you, I’m going to tell you, leave her alone.”

Just as his veiled threat finishes its thought in my ears, I feel a gentle hand on my elbow. “Everything all right here?” Nicolette asks.

“I think we understand each other quite well. Don’t you, Rafael?”

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