Jenson’s got a baby face. But Denver trusts him, and his work is impeccable. He’s smart with good instincts. The bravado and cockiness that rolls off him will lessen with age and experience.
I throw him a brief wink so he knows we’re messing.
“All right. Keep me up to date and let me know if you need anything else.”
“Boss.” Denver nods, exiting my office with Jenson and Killian on his heels.
“So this date you’re going on?” Mal arches a brow, his lips curling up.
“To appease Sinclair, that’s all.”
“Hey, we’ve known each other long enough now. I’m happy for you. I know you and Elaina were… I know things weren’t good in those months before she died. You should think about what Sinclair wants for you. Maybe she’s right. Maybe it’s time.”
I crack my knuckles, tension bunching up the muscles in my shoulders.
“Maybe it will never be time.”
“Sinclair and Sullivan are adults now. They don’t need you the same as they once did.”
I wince at his words, and he sighs.
“Why not get some happiness for you?”
“I’m not lonely…”
“When was the last time you saw the same woman twice? Shared a bed with her for more than a night?”
I shake my head. “Don’t.”
“I’m just saying. You only live once. Make it count.”
“Are you heading back to Africa before I go to LA to check on things there?”
Mal chuckles. “Trying to get rid of me, huh? How long will you be gone?”
“Only a day or two. I’ll check on the club. Visit Clay.”
Mal nods. “Give your brother my regards.”
“I will.”
The LA club is fine without me. Bradley has been doing a good job since he came onboard as a manager six months ago. But I still like to check in once a month. It’s what I do.
Work.
Sinclair pursued modeling after what happened. And Sullivan told me he wanted to take over as CEO of Beaufort Diamonds earlier than we had planned. We all needed to keep busy, by any means possible.
Everything changed the day we lost them both.
“I’ll head out in a week or so. Ade already knows how my chat with Sullivan went, but I’ll visit him in person. Then I’ll be back. Trudy’s mother is coming to stay next month,” Mal says, breaking the contemplative silence.
I chuckle at his grimace. “Ah, the mother-in-law.”
“Yeah. Maybe I’ll stay in Africa.” He snorts. “At least my mother loved you.”
“God rest her soul,” I say.
Mal nods. “God rest all their souls.”
