Page 113 of Only Forever

“Come on.” I drag her to my car.

I’m relieved when no one follows us. Of course, no one else has a car here. Besides Lilac, I haven’t met another Winter Falls resident who owns a car.

“Turn here,” Lilac says when I head in the direction of her apartment.

I don’t bother asking her where we’re going and follow her directions. I park in a small lot and turn to Lilac but she’s already exiting the car. When I open the door to follow her, I hear the sound of running water. We must be at the falls for which Winter Falls is named.

“They’ll never expect us to go somewhere in nature. They think I hate nature.”

“You don’t hate nature. Your whole career is premised on saving nature.” It amazes me how little Lilac’s family and friends understand her. Especially since she’s not difficult to understand.

I grasp her hand as we begin to walk. When she doesn’t pull away, I consider it a good sign. We reach a clearing on top of the falls and stop.

“Now, let’s discuss this without everyone listening in,” she says and pulls away from me.

“What’s there to discuss?”

“What’s there to discuss?” she repeats. “How about you giving me a position because we’re involved?”

“One.” I hold up a finger. “We weren’t involved when you were elected by the board for the position since you had broken up with me.”

“Two.” I hold up a second finger. “I didn’t give you the position. You were elected by the board.”

“But how? I applied for the position over a year ago and was turned down.”

I shrug. “Perhaps the board felt you were a better fit now than you were a year ago.”

She narrows her eyes on me. “What aren’t you telling me?”

A lot. But how much will she accept of the truth?

“The shareholders wanted you to be given the position.”

“The shareholders? But I don’t know any of the shareholders.”

Here comes the tricky part. “Actually, you do.”

Her nose scrunches as she puzzles it out in her head. I’m not surprised when she nods.

“Of course. It makes sense. I should have realized. When did you become the majority shareholder?”

“Last year before I took the position of CEO.”

Her lips purse. “Aspen was right when she claimed you were wealthy.” I nod. “How much is your net worth?”

I shrug. “My parents left us a nice nest egg when they passed.” Her eyes widen in surprise, but I don’t want to talk about money. “Now, about your new position.”

She scowls. “I don’t understand how you as the majority shareholder made a board decision.”

“I didn’t. The majority of the board – Stan, Doris, Norman, and myself – all voted for you.” I don’t tell her Leonard tried to veto the vote. He won’t be in his position much longer anyway. “Have I satisfactorily answered your questions?”

“Yes, I believe you have.”

“Good.” I draw her near, but before my lips can meet hers, she stops me.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to make out with the woman I love for a while before I take her home and make love to her.”

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