“Yes. His father started them and he has taken the facilities national.”
I remembered reading an article about the success of McKenna’s expansion of the drug and alcohol clinics. His father had been a famed psychiatrist who railed against more traditional forms of drug and alcohol treatment. That was, until his own son fell victim to addiction and spent years in and out of his own facilities.
“He re-introduced the twelve step process as the main means of treating addiction in his clinics. I read it last year in theTimes.It was a great article.”
“A little bombastic for my taste, but I suppose the writer did highlight the important parts.”
Aaron and I turned to the voice behind us, and I was greeted with the most charming grin I’d ever seen. I admired the tall, slender man with golden eyes and a high bun that held his honey blond locks. The bun was almost a complete contrast to the elegant tuxedo that neatly draped his runner’s physique. If I wasn’t standing on the arm of the most gorgeous man in the room, I might’ve thought this guy was it.
“Aaron, you never told me you had such a beautiful wife…or that you even got married for that matter. Shame, my invitation got lost in the mail.” His eyes held a bit of mischief and wickedness when he turned them on me.
Aaron’s hold on my hand tightened ever so slightly and he grunted. “The people that mattered were there.”
I sighed, slapping my husband’s arm lightly. “Don’t be rude,” I chided. “Mr. McKenna, we would’ve loved to have had you in attendance but there wasn’t enough time to accommodate everyone’s schedule.”
Neil’s smile grew. “She’s good, Townsend.” He turned his eyes back to Aaron. “You should hire her to do all your public speaking for you.” Those golden eyes returned to me. “And much better to look at.”
Such a charmer, this guy.
“Pleased to meet you.” He held out his hand for mine.
“Don’t touch my wife. And she’s not for hire,” Aaron interrupted. “Don’t think this tuxedo will get in the way of me kicking your ass, McKenna.” In spite of his words, I heard the light note in Aaron’s voice. Aaron didn’t make idle threats but he was kidding when it came to Neil McKenna.
“Good to see you, too,” Neil said to Aaron, who grabbed his hand, shaking it firmly. “How’s Carter doing?”
I squinted at the question regarding my oldest brother-in-law, as if there was a story there. I turned to Aaron who gave me awe’ll discuss it laterlook. The three of us talked some more before Aaron and I made our way to another couple who wanted to discuss business with Aaron. On and on it went like that over the next hour or more. I finally glanced up and saw a man who was speaking with Neil at the opposite end of the room. Though the conversation between Neil and the man appeared to be friendly, the man’s face was set in a scowl nearly akin to the one my husband wore on a daily basis. The scowl and the eye patch he wore over his left eye didn’t detract from how handsome he was.
I turned back to Aaron, who was finishing up his conversation with a local investor, who—like most who we’d talked with—was trying to get Townsend Industries to invest in one thing or another.
“What was that about?” I asked when we walked away.
“Another hedge fund wants the Townsend name,” he sighed.
I turned to stand in front of him, placing my hand to his chest. I glanced up into his hazel eyes that put on such a good front for the world…no, not a front. He was the strong, intelligent, savvy, and cunning businessman he portrayed himself to be, but he was so much more. “I see how this can get tiring after a while. Everyone asking you for something.”
“It’s nothing,” he responded, curling his hand around mine. “I do it because I’m excellent at it and I love it. But not more than I love you and our children. The real question is, do I have your love in return?”
“A-Aaron,” I stuttered but couldn’t continue. He had more than my love. He had my entire soul.
“Are we interrupting?”
I turned, stunned by the man I saw across the room, now standing a half a foot away from us, as he stood next to Neil.
“You are,” Aaron growled.
I looked between Aaron and the man.
“Ian just wanted to say hello,” Neil interjected while Aaron and Ian had a stare off.
“Mrs. Townsend—” Neil began.
“Patience. Please call me Patience.”
He nodded. “Patience, this is Ian Zerlinger.”
I may not have recognized him at first sight but I definitely knew the name. Zerlinger Beer was one of the top leaders in the wine and spirits industry.
“Mr. Zerlinger, pleased to meet you.”
