In my search, Janice, my PA waves at me from the path leading to the beach. “What’s she doing here?”
“Sir,” she says, out of breath as if she ran here. “I’ve been trying to call you. The phone at the office hasn’t stopped ringing all morning.”
“I’ve had my phone on silent for the ceremony. What on earth’s happened?”
“It’s the development in Candy Cane Key. The land owner’s changed his mind about selling. He’s backing out of the deal and the word is that Exclusive Escapes Enterprises want the land for a holiday-themed resort. The owner is over there now with the landowner, drinking eggnog and smoking cigars. It’s all oversocial media.” She thrusts a phone in front of my face with the two of them, enjoying a drink on the very land I wanted.
“Dammit. This is six months of work down the drain.” I tug at what little hair I have left on my head, fisting the short grey strands in frustration. “Do you think he wants more money?”
“I’m not sure, sir. Bob at the office spoke with him and he said if you want to discuss, he’ll meet with you today.”
“Fuck.” I pull my phone from my pocket and scroll through the missed calls from Bob, my development manager, and Janice, my PA. “Set up a call. I’ll excuse myself from the wedding celebrations for half an hour. I’m sure no one will miss me for thirty minutes.”
“He wants to see you in person, sir. I’ve booked you on a flight this afternoon so you can suck up to him and his family and win him over.”
Merryssa meanders over with a glass of champagne in hand, now that the family photographs are over. At least I made it for the ceremony and the photographs.
Her smile falters when she sees the pained look on my face. “What’s wrong?”
My chest burns with a serious case of indigestion, any thoughts of canapés now making me nauseous. We’ve been here too many times before. And it always seems to hit harder during family occasions. Unable to speak, I run a hand over my face.
Merry looks between Janice and me. “Hi, I’m sorry for my rude ex-husband not introducing us.” She offers Janice a hand. “I’m Merryssa Jones, formerly Fitzpatrick.”
“Hi, I’m Mr. Fitzpatrick’s PA. Nice to meet you.” Janice shakes her hand.
“Would you like a drink?”
“No. I just came to see Mr. Fitzpatrick. I’m on the guest list for tonight.”
There’s a worried expression on Merry’s face as she takes in Janice’s youth and slim-fitting dress, black heels. You don’t need to be a genius to know she’s wondering if I’m having an affair with my personal assistant.
“There’s been a situation at work, Merry.” I want to squash any thoughts of her putting two and two together and making six.
“Oh. Can it be resolved?”
“Yes ma’am. I’ve booked Mr. Fitzpatrick on a flight to the Keys this afternoon.” Janice turns to me. “You need to leave now if you’re to make the flight. Your driver’s waiting for you.”
Merry’s eyes glaze over. A sympathetic smile settles on her face, as if she feels sorry for me. “Can’t anyone else go?”
“The landowner won’t deal with anyone else, ma’am.”
I look back to Finn and Shelly outside the marquee, chatting with guests while the wedding reception tables are arranged.
“Are you going to say goodbye to our son?” Merry says, kicking at the sand where it’s blown onto the grass.
“He’ll understand. He knows I’ve been working on this deal for the last six months. I’ve invested a lot of time and money into this project. If it goes well, there’s a lot of money to be made when I flip it. Millions.”
“He might understand, but is that because he expects nothing else from you?” She continues to kick at the sand. “How much money do you need, Alex?”
I cover my face with my palms and groan out in frustration. I wouldn’t have thought twice about leaving and getting on a plane twenty years ago. This exact scenario is the reason Merry and I divorced. But I’m torn between my heart and my head.
“What shall I do, Merry?” My eyes plead with her, hoping she can give me some sense of direction. Tell me to stay. Give me the ultimatum she gave me twenty years ago.
“I can’t tell you what to do, Alex. Do what you feel is important to you. And if you need to deal with business, then go. I’ll smooth things over with Finn, and I can do a speech on your behalf.”
I’m surprised that she’s giving me the green light to go. The last time we were in this situation, she was mad. But we were married then. “I’m sorry, Merry.”
“You don’t need to be sorry to me.” She turns around and walks away, the spring in her step from this morning gone.
