Page 47 of Fake it For Good
“I’d like to do something more,” he said.
“Like?” I expected him to offer some money. I would absolutely take it.
“I’d like to supply some toys,” he said. “You can get back with me about ages and numbers and I’ll make sure my people put together an amazing package.”
I was going to cry. “Really?” I whispered.
“My company needs to do more,” he said. “Usually, I sign a check and there’s a big deal about it but that’s it. I don’t actually get to see where it’s going. I have people that deal with that kind of thing. I hate to admit it, but I don’t know how much we give or where it goes.”
I couldn’t even begin to imagine what it was like to have so much money you didn’t know where it was going. I doubted it was like a hundred bucks. He was likely giving away thousands like he didn’t miss it. I gave away ten dollars and I felt it.
“I cannot tell you what that means to me and will mean to them,” I said. “Truly amazing. Thank you.”
He smiled and reached across the table to touch my hand. “Of course. You’re helping me. It’s the least I could do.”
I wasn’t going to remind him I was being paid to help him. I couldn’t pay him to help us. I hoped it was just him being generous.
“Thank you, Cane. You’re a good man.”
“I don’t know if I would go that far, but thank you,” he said, grinning. “Want dessert? I was thinking about something with a lot of chocolate.”
“You’re speaking my language,” I said, laughing.
17
CANE
The numbers looked good. Not as good as I would have liked, but November’s numbers were solid. We had shot for a ten percent increase. We fell a little short, but that wasn’t terrible. Things were good. Life was good. I had not seen Noelle again since we got back from Texas, but we exchanged a few texts. I figured it was probably good we put some distance between us.
I didn’t know what was happening between us or if there was anything at all. We only had sex one time. But damn did I want it again. I found myself in a constant state of arousal. One time was not enough. Now that the beast had been unleashed, I wanted more. We were in a very strange situation. I didn’t know if I could ask for more. Did she want more? Would it no longer work for her to be my paid fiancée? Things were definitely fucked up, but I didn’t care.
I got laid. Finally. The celibacy streak was broken. Even if things with Noelle didn’t go anywhere, I felt like I was ready to start thinking about dating again. I wanted sex back in my life. I knew that much for certain. I wasn’t sure how that went, but I was done living without it.
“Here’s your coffee,” Dana said as she walked into the office. “You’ve got a call at eleven and another at noon. I’ve ordered your lunch to be delivered at twelve-thirty. At one, you meet with accounting and two o’clock is with sales. Three is Denton and then you have another call with Japan at four.”
I sighed and accepted the coffee. “Sounds like an exciting day.”
“That’s the perks of being the boss,” she said. “I’m working on getting the LA manager scheduled for later in the week. Do you want an hour with him?”
“Block out two,” I told her. “Just in case.”
“Got it,” she said. “Anything else?”
“No.” I pouted just a little. “Do I have a vacation on the books?”
She laughed and then stopped when I didn’t join in with her. “You’re serious?”
“I think I need a vacation. I’m burnt out.”
“I’ve been telling you that same thing for two years,” she said while wagging her finger at me. “I’ll check January and see if you’ve got some wiggle room.”
“I was kidding.”
“Too late,” she said and closed the door.
I smiled and sipped the coffee. I did need a vacation. After the divorce, I poured my heart and soul into recouping what I had lost to my vile ex-wife. It had been all hands on deck. Nothing could slip through the cracks. Replenishing the company coffers had been difficult. But when we turned the corner last year, it had been the most satisfied I had felt in a long time. Kelly didn’t sink me. She didn’t break me. I came out on top, and things were only getting better.
“I don’t think so,” I heard Denton say from beyond my door.
