“Not really.”
“Well, don’t worry. I have my next moves figured out.”
“Okay. I have faith in you. Just remember to crack a few jokes and make her laugh. It’s hard to hate a man who can make you laugh. And you have to invite me to the wedding.”
“Of course. I expect a lavish wedding gift,” I say, trying my hand at a joke. Yuna has a point about not hating people who can make you laugh. Jo also said she initially fell for her ex because he was funny.
“Ugh. You Westerners and your obsession with gifts. Cash is so much better.” Yuna hangs up.
Hmm. Didn’t work. But then, she probably didn’t get it because she isn’t American.
Instead of putting my phone away, I text my PI. Linda works for me, not the family, which is a significant distinction. Jere Schiro, a bald ex-cop who works for the family, answers to Dad. I don’t need that kind of conflict of interest.
I instruct her to get some background on this Aaron Korvid guy. A man that pathetic and morally reprehensible will have some skeletons in his closet. Perhaps even dinosaur fossils. I’m going to find them and beat him with them until he goes away, permanently.
While Linda’s working on her task, I’m going to start tackling Jo’s second objection—whatever feeling she has for me fizzling in four months. Obviously if she’s used to dating someone like that Aaron guy… Well, she’s been living on Grade D hamburger. I’ll be her steak. No problem.
Actually, this might turn out to be easier to deal with than I thought.
Afterward, I’ll tackle her third objection, about our respective cities of residence. She most likely doesn’t want to give up her career, and I can’t imagine Tempérane having a lot of demand for her services. On the other hand, I can’t stay in L.A. indefinitely. Dad’s going to retire soon, and I need to be there to lead Blackwood Energy.
But I can work in Tempérane from Monday through Thursday, fly to Los Angeles, then work remotely on Fridays. That will give me, Jo and our child three days a week together, plus holidays and vacations. It’s the most logical solution. Private jets are wonderful things.
A vast amount of optimism glows through me. I swing myself out of bed, shower, put on a dress shirt and slacks, and join Tony and Ivy for breakfast.
Tony pours a new cup of coffee when he sees me. Ivy’s digging into the French toast in front of her like a woman who hasn’t seen carbs in decades, which I know is untrue, since she had a huge tower of pancakes for lunch yesterday.
Tony hands me the coffee, which I take with murmured thanks. I sit down and grab some bacon from the platter in the center of the table.
“How did it go?” Ivy asks around her food. “What did Jo say?”
I should’ve known she’d want to know. Tony probably told her everything I told her in the study. And Ivy saw me walk out to get into my car to head to Manny’s Tacos yesterday. I’m surprised she didn’t jump on me the moment I walked in last night. Tony probably dragged her to bed to get some sleep.
“He’s not crying,” my brother says with a wide grin.
“Oh!” Her eyes sparkle. “When’s the wedding?”
No wonder Yuna calls Ivy her soul sister. They both want to know the same things. “There’s no wedding,” I say. “Yet.”
Tony frowns. “Did you forget the ring?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I had the ring.” Which is infinitely superior to the horrible sapphire ring Jo had. She should’ve accepted based on jewelry alone. Contrary to what Yuna said, cake and flowers are optional, and probably not even all that helpful. I’ve never heard of women bragging about engagement cakes or engagement flowers. “I need a realtor. Tony, I’d appreciate a recommendation if you have one.”
Ivy’s eyes grow round. “She wants an engagement house?”
I shake my head. “No. She wants me to convince her that this relationship can last longer than four months. I can’t have her move in with me if I don’t have a place of my own.”
“So you’re going to be in L.A. for four months?” Tony tilts his head. “What about the company?”
“Dad’s still in Tempérane, and we have teleconferencing,” I say, instead of telling him one of the biggest reasons I don’t want to be there—Dad dating Mom, perhaps even intending to remarry her… I’m still unsure how to bring it up without upsetting Tony and Ivy. “There’s no reason I can’t handle the business remotely. Besides, I can fly back every so often to check up on things.”
Ivy’s eyes grow soft. “You must really love this woman. It’s so sweet.”
Love? “She’s pregnant with my child. I’m trying to do the right thing.”
Ivy looks at me balefully. “I hope you tried to make it sound more romantic than that.”
“I’m trying to be practical and responsible.” Those two traits should matter more than romance, which is as useful as used toilet paper.