Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
“It’s been too long,” he declared, breaking the embrace, then gesturing to the table. “I want to hear everything you’ve been up to,” he said as I sat across from him.
The restaurant owner marched over as soon as we were seated. “She’s finally arrived, Mr. Thompson,” Tristan said, gesturing to me as if I were a prize. The tall, salt-and-pepper-haired man turned to drop a chaste kiss onto my cheek. “Welcome back, Ruby. What a pleasure to see you again too.”
“Thank you so much, Tristan. I see you’re as busy as ever.” I eyed the many tables with reserved signs on them, then flashed a quick smile to the man I’d known for years.
“I can’t complain,” he told me, handing us menus, then heading off.
Eli snorted as soon as Tristan scuttled away. “Can’t complain my butt,” he muttered.
I arched a questioning eyebrow.
My stepdad leaned in and whispered, “He complains about everything. He did as much this morning.”
“You saw him earlier?” I asked.
Eli flicked open his cloth napkin and spread it across his lap. “I met with him before you arrived. He wants me to back a new venture of his. Then again, doesn’t everyone?” he asked with an it’s good to be the king look in his eyes.
“I don’t know. Does everyone?” I asked dryly.
“Some days, it seems that way—everyone lining up to ask for a little of this, a little of that,” he said.
“Do you ever say yes?” I asked, spreading my own napkin over my lap.
He lowered his voice. “Rarely. I’m actually trying to retire. To devote my energy to my charitable endeavors.”
I frowned. I’d never known him to be terribly interested in charity, plus, he was obviously still working. “But you run the nightclub. It’s doing well, I hear.”
“You should see it. Dance a little, feel the Sapphire energy. It’s wonderful. Come by tonight. Amelia Stone is in town. I’ll make sure you’re on the VIP list. I won’t be there, but my manager, Nigel, will. If you need anything, he’s the man with the snake tattoo on his left arm.”
“Sounds like he’d be hard to miss, then. And I’m glad the club is doing well.” That wasn’t entirely true, but tomato, to-mah-toe. “It’s a dream nightclub,” Eli said. “Plus, it feeds my charity work. I donate all my profits.”
I wasn’t sure if I believed him on the give-it-all-away front, but I gave a that’s nice smile anyway.
After the waiter brought water and a mimosa for Eli, which I presumed was his standard drink every time he came here, we ordered our meals. Once the server left, Eli gestured to me with pride in his eyes. “Tell me everything. How is your company? What happened to that jerk who tried to sabotage your tour business? I wish you’d have let me help you with that fiasco.”
I gaped at him incredulously. “You didn’t offer,” I pointed out. I wouldn’t let him play revisionist historian. We had only spoken a few times since the divorce.
“You didn’t ask,” he said.
Touché.
“Well, anyway, Mom helped me out, and I’ve been rebuilding.”
“Good. I’m thrilled.” He took a drink of his mimosa, then leaned back in his chair and glanced briefly at the crowds click-clacking by, streaming in and out of banks. We briefly made small talk, then he asked, “But do you need anything now? My bank is right over there.”
I shook my head. “Thank you. I’m good.” It was the perfect opening. This was going to be awkward, but I didn’t let the chance slip by. “So, speaking of my mom…there’s something I wanted to bring up. A request.”
“Of course.” He sounded so genuine. “What is it?”
“It’s about the money Mom invested in your business to get you started. I think you should pay her back.” When he didn’t react, I went on with the argument I’d practiced. “You would never have funded the company without her, and that business made you rich. It’s only fair to return the seed money, especially now that you’ve retired from the business.”
But his response was a dismissive laugh. “That’s silly, dear. She has her jewelry sales.”
Seriously? That was his answer? I shoved aside the curl of annoyance in my gut and tried again. “Eli, when you needed her, she helped you in a big way, and she’s trying to rebuild her business after the divorce. Don’t you think it would be the right thing to do?”
“She doesn’t need my money if she’s busy selling jewelry again. She’s always been so talented with her little artsy tinkering.”
“Tinkering is the reason for everything you have today. And you made sure she got nothing in the divorce.”
Eli was one hundred percent a rat bastard to me just then, but if I didn’t get a hold of my anger, I’d show my hand and sink my recon mission before it started.