Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 97053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“No, I guess not.” There’s not much I can say to that. He’s asking why I’m here and I’m not sure I have the answer. I had nothing much else to do and I’d rather be near Iris than anywhere else.
“So, you’re dating Iris or what?” he asks. He’s straight to the point. I can’t do anything but respect that about him.
“I’d like to be dating your sister,” I say honestly. I’m not sure if what Iris and I are doing counts as dating? I’m trying to spend as much time as possible with her.
“She’s not so keen?” Bray asks.
“I think she’s… she’s good at seeing the downside.”
“What does that mean?”
I pull in a breath. “She’s looking ahead, and because I live in New York and she lives here, she assumes it’s not going to work.”
“She’s finding obstacles,” Bray says. “And you don’t think that’s because she doesn’t like you? Or doesn’t like you enough?”
I chuckle at his honest question. “I’ve definitely considered that as a possibility, but no, I think she likes me. I think she’s scared of what that means for her.”
“She drives me bananas on a regular basis,” Bray says. “But she’s the most loyal, caring, thoughtful human on the planet.”
I nod in agreement. “I know that. She’s very special.”
He looks me dead in the eye. “If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”
I get his concern. I’m some guy from New York, staying up the mountain at the fancy private members resort, who’s slumming it for a day picking fruit. I probably seem like a spoiled creep. And I’m definitely spoiled.
“I will do everything I can not to hurt Iris. I think a great deal of her.”
Bray takes a bite of his sandwich and nods. After he swallows, he says, “So when are you going back to New York?” he asks.
“I’m not sure. The initial plan was to stay a few days.” I’ve skipped a few meetings already. My father has asked his assistant where I am, but other than that, I’ve not been missed. I’ve had over thirty years learning how to be my father. I’m done with the training. There’s no need to rush back to New York. “I might stick around for a little while longer.”
I’ve not talked about my plans with Iris. Me staying might be the last thing she wants.
But it’s what I want. I’m clear about that.
I was serious when I said to her that if we give what we have some time to simmer, we’ll be able to figure out how we make things work or decide that we don’t want to.
Except, I don’t think I’ll ever decide that I don’t want to spend time with Iris. Something changed that evening in New York, walking the sidewalks in Central Park. Something in me shifted. Now I’m not sure if I work properly without Iris.
“You looking for a permanent job here at Wilde’s?” He looks concerned. I’m not sure if it’s because he doesn’t have a job to give me or because he’s worried that I can’t support myself without Iris’s family’s help. He must know that if I’m staying at the Club, I’m doing okay? Maybe he thinks Byron’s giving handouts.
I shake my head. “I thought it would be fun to come and see the farm she talks about. She told me if I wanted to work, I’d have to come to you. She wasn’t going to put a good word in for me.”
Bray chuckles. “She can be a hard-ass.”
“She’s been through a lot.”
Bray’s face darkens and he nods. “Yeah. So, you like the farm?” he asks.
I finish my soup and place the empty bowl back on the tray. “Yeah. It’s great. It’s hard to describe, but the atmosphere, the feel of the place—it’s calm. Peaceful. Not sure if that’s Wilde’s Farm or just Star Falls in general.”
“Well, the same could be said for both.”
“I was wondering if you sell any of your fruit direct?” I ask.
“Oh, we just started doing that.” He shrugs. “Really because the Club asked us to supply them. We’ve started doing it with a few other local businesses as well.”
“Are the margins better?”
He narrows his eyes at me, suspicious. I get it. Who the hell am I to him? “I’m not after your money. I’m not a competitor. I’m just… I think I like getting under the skin of businesses and figuring out what works and what doesn’t work. I like uncovering the holes and opportunities.”
“You sound like some kind of business consultant or something.”
I shrug. “Yeah. I went to business school with Byron, and we did a lot of that kind of thing and I really enjoyed it.”
“What do you do for work now?” he asks.
Inwardly, I wince a little. I never want anyone to think that I’m bragging or showing off, but I also want to be honest with Bray. “I work in my family business,” I say. “I manage our finances.”