“Sorry. Ranting. Now listening,” he said. It was one of the things they had agreed to work on.
“Thank you. As I was saying, my father won’t give me my old job back. However, I’m back at the company.”
“Now I’m confused,” he said.
“He wants to train me to one day take over the company.”
That was extraordinary news. “You must be excited, yet you’re sitting here and not jumping for joy. Why is that?”
“It’s in Miami and you’re here in New York. Ethan, a long distance relationship is…hard. I hated being away from you just for a few days. How will I be able to do it on a regular basis? I mean, I think about you after a long day at work, what is the point of going home, if the person you love isn’t there? I’m worried that I’ll do just like my father did, and work to fill the emptiness. I don’t want that. I want…I want what Mabel and Roy have. A life with the one they love. A life with you,” she said.
She was given an opportunity that she couldn’t pass up. This was her family’s business, not someone elses. From what she had told him, it wasn’t like Connor wanted to take it over. He couldn’t let her walk away from this. But she was right; his work was in New York.
This wasn’t something he could make a snap decision on, but there was no reason why he couldn’t be the one to travel to Miami to see her. Ethan had to adjust to the changes in his brothers’ lives, they would have to do the same. What Ethan had learned over the last few weeks was change wasn’t always a bad thing. It was also the one constant. How to accept and adapt to it, is what makes the difference.
Ethan knew he wasn’t the same guy he was before meeting Kollette. Things that he was adamant about never doing, or not wanting, weren’t so cut and dry. Compromise wasn’t a Lawson trait, but he was trying, and because of how important Kollette was to him, he’d keep trying.
Would time change his wanting to be with her? No. The only thing it would do was delay what he knew he should do. This wasn’t like he was choosing between Lawson Steel and Kollette. He wasn’t leaving the company. And he sure as hell wasn’t going to leave Kollette either. But right now it was time not to think just what is best for him, but what is best for them, as a couple. He said he loved her. It was time to prove it. And what’s best for us.
She was what was best for him. So without any hesitation, he said, “I can work from any location. Yes I will need to be in New York at times. And other times, I’ll have to travel where I’m needed. But you need to do this Kollette. You’ve worked hard to get where you are. And if I’m hearing you correctly, your father is trying to rebuild something with you. I won’t stand in the way of that.”
“What are you saying Ethan?”
“Not a fan of living in Miami, but I’m sure we can find something close. Something that works for us both. What do you say?”
“You’ll do that for me? Why?”
“Because I love you. And you’re all your father has. He might not be willing to admit it, but he needs you. And honestly, I think you need him too.”
“He had Connor too, but I know what you mean. I’ve been working with him and have been there all along.”
“And not putting Connor down, but I think you understand your father more. Connor is on his own path. And from what you said, he has been for a long time.”
Kollette nodded. Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and said, “I love you Ethan. And yes I need my father, but it’s you I couldn’t live without.”
“I love you to Kollette. So when does this all take place?” he asked.
She looked at him and said, “My father invited us to have dinner with him Sunday night.”
“Sunday? That’s tomorrow. You’re going back to Miami tomorrow?” That was a lot sooner than he’d hoped.
“Just for dinner. And I’m assuming we can talk about our plans then.”
“And your father invited us, not just you?” His last meeting with Ralph hadn’t gone very smoothly. They ended on a business note, but the personal one, had been rough. He had a feeling it was going to be even more intense with Kollette there in the middle. Two men both wanting what’s best for her, neither agreeing on what that is. Oh yeah. It was going to be a great time.
“Of course he wants you there. He knows how much you mean to me. What do you say? Want to fly down to Miami with me?”
“And leave all this cold weather?” he joked.
“Don’t worry, we have air conditioning. But if you get too cold, I’ll try to keep you warm,” she grinned.
“Kollette, you’re so hot, you could melt an ice glacier.”
“I’ll settle for melting your heart,” she said.
“That, my love, you’ve already done.” Pulling her into his arms he asked, “Are you sure you want breakfast or can you wait till lunch?”
“I’m not that hungry after all,” she said, leaning in for his kiss.