Page 84 of Visions of You

I snapped my head up and managed a smile as Abigail, an executiveassistant, walked by. She gave me a long, assessing look that I didn’t return. “Thanks.”

As soon as she passed, my eyes dropped to the phone again. To April’s messages. Which I still hadn’t answered, like an asshole.

But I had no idea what to say.

I had so much to tell her—things that terrified me. And none of it was appropriate for a text message. I was nearing the final stretch now and needed to get this deal signed. I could tell her everything in person when I got back to Calypso Key. Hopefully tonight. But I had to saysomething. I flinched, imagining her thinking I was ignoring her.

Or worse, that I didn’t care.

My feelings hadn’t changed overnight. In fact, they’d solidified even more. I had to make this happen, proving to her in the process that I wasn’t a lazy bastard just using her until someone else came along. Like those other pricks she’d been with.

My mind kept returning to that conversation with Dad.Beforehe’d dropped the bomb about the balloon payment. When he’d said I’d know when I’d met the woman who would change my mind about love. About sharing my life.

I knew it, all right.

A flash of stunning clarity had swept over me in his office, unlike anything I’d ever experienced. When I was with April, I feltfree. And utterly terrified she didn’t feel the same way about me.

My thumbs were frozen over the screen, and I needed to get back in the room with Jake.

Finally, I typed out something stupid about being in Miami and talking when I got home.

There. At least I answered, and she isn’t just hanging. I’ll make it up to her.

An ice-cold knife twisted in my gut. Yeah, I’d make it up to her if she still wanted me. I was in love with a woman who had told me she didn’t want a deep relationship. I was flying blind here, trying to prove my intentions. I had no idea how April would take my news.She’d managed her side of our pact to a tee, even leaving my bed the other night after I’d fallen asleep.

Shit, that doesn’t sound like someone head over heels in love with me.

Time to focus. I was in Miami for a reason, and it was time to finish the job. Shutting my phone completely off, I tucked it into the inside pocket of my gray suit jacket. I adjusted my red tie, frowning at the constriction. After months of not wearing one, I didn’t miss the damn thing in the slightest.

A heavyset, middle-aged woman marched down the hall toward me, a stack of manila file folders cradled against her ample bosom. We nodded to each other, then I turned around and opened the wooden door to the boardroom.

A wall of windows overlooked downtown Miami, but the display was nothing but skyscrapers and a dull, afternoon sky spitting rain. Not turquoise water and white sand. How had I ever thought this was what I wanted?

Jake Tolling sat across the huge rectangular table. A lock of brown hair had fallen across his forehead, and he swept it back. He leaned back in the black leather chair, his legs on the table and crossed at the ankles.

“Mona is coming now with the files,” I said, taking a seat across from him.

“Oh, shit!” Jake jerked his feet off the table and sat up, smoothing his tie.

I smirked. Even though we were the two executive officers, Mona was a legend in the office, and everyone treated her with wary respect. After two firm raps, the door opened again, and she entered. She placed the stack of folders in front of me.

“The bottom is your copy, Gabe. I’ve flagged where you need to sign on the top copy in blue, then Jake needs to sign the green flags.” She stopped and cleared her throat. “I wish you the very best. You’ll be missed.”

“Thank you.” I pushed to my feet and took her into myembrace, ignoring the way her eyes became shiny in the overhead lights. To be honest, I was a little surprised. Mona and I had always gotten along well. I treated her with unfailing politeness and courtesy, and in return she never once took a sharp tone with me. But it wasn’t a close relationship. At least, I hadn’t thought so. Maybe I’d misjudged her. “Take care, Mona. If you ever need some downtime, give me a call. I know a pretty nice resort you might enjoy.”

The right side of her mouth twitched. “Be careful with that, young man. I might take you up on it.”

“I hope you do.”

She patted my upper arms, then turned and walked out the door, closing it softly behind her. My mind turned back to home and April. And what I still had to do after I got back. Whether this risk would pay off.

I sat again and stared at the folders.

“You sure about this?” Jake asked. “I know it’s the family business, but do you want out completely?”

I raised my eyes to meet his blue ones. “Yeah. I’m sure. It’s time to commit myself.”By selling outright to Jake, I’d have enough cash to pay off the balloon note and finance the resort improvements. But this was the only way—a reduced ownership percentage wouldn’t be enough.

I picked up a black fountain pen and opened the folder, signing my name where indicated.

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