Sicily walked up and started to run down my scheduled meetings.
“No. I need to take care of a few things before I can start all of that.” I paused by my door. “Get Gary Handlem on the phone.”
“From the U.S.?” she lifted her eyebrow.
“Yes. He’s an investor of ours.”
She gave me a knowing look and lifted her eyebrow. “I’m aware of that, sir. You know I have learned all of their names and most of their family’s names to help you out.”
“I know. Get him on the phone, please. It should be late morning there.” I walked into my office and closed the door behind me. The vibe in the office was upbeat, which was great. I figured it would start to affect me a little later when I was suffering from one hell of a hangover anymore.
The phone beeped, and I walked over to my desk and dropped down. Pressing the button, I leaned in closer. “This is Alfie.”
“Hey there, Rockstar. It’s Gary. Sicily said you wanted to chat for a minute?” Gary’s deep voice filled the room through the speakerphone.
“I did.” I took a quick breath. “So, I should have mentioned this last week at the U.S. shareholders meeting, but I honestly wasn’t sure how anyone would take it.”
“Take what?” His voice was still warm and welcoming. He was a great guy, and I was a little surprised he hadn’t moved mountains to get Molly back, but shit…maybe he had, and I was just unaware of it.
“The marketing plan that I presented was given to me by a girl I was dating at the time. Molly Anderson.”
“Molly? My Molly?”
I chuckled. “I think we would have a real fight on our hands if you believed her to be yours, though I’ve fucked things up nicely at this point.”
“I didn’t even realize the two of you were seeing each other.” He sounded surprised, not that I could blame him. “She was just getting married in London.”
“Yes, to a bastard.”
“Well, we agree on that part for sure.” He gave a hearty laugh. “She ran out of here without much notice at all. I know she’s brilliant, but not being able to rely on her much has me hesitating quite a bit.”
“I can understand that.” I ran my fingers through my hair and stifled a sigh. Molly had done a few foolish things, but who hadn’t? She’d be married and happy if Harry wasn’t such a prick.
Happy? Really?
Maybe that was pushing it a little.
“Well, I appreciate the call.” He gave a sound of appreciation. “Maybe she deserves a bit of a break. Her latest idea has made you a very wealthy man.”
“Yes, it has.” I tried hard not to think about how much I’d give up just to have her in my life as my lover, as my girl. I’d fucked that up royally. “I wouldn’t give it a second thought, Gary. Call her. Your company and your wallet will thank you.”
He chuckled. “All right, Alfie. Take care, and thank you for the call. I’ll reach out to her as soon as I get a breather.”
“Good man.” I hung up the phone and waited for the sense of relief that I wasn’t a total asshole.
It never came.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Molly
“Enough is enough,” I mumbled as I stood in front of the bathroom mirror. The large high rise in downtown New York wasn’t at all a place I wanted to spend the next thirty years of my career, but what choice did I have?
With my personal life in shambles, my working life had to get back on track. It was the only damn thing I had to look forward to. Sadly enough, I knew that it would be enough. It never was for me.
“Morning,” a soft voice called out as I turned from the mirror. A pretty blonde with a great smile gave me a wave. “You okay?”
“Oh, yeah. Of course.” I shrugged and walked toward the door. “Have a great day.”