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Chapter 2
The next morning, I sit staring at my phone. I just had a heated argument with my father, Richard or Dick, as I like to refer to him at these times. He was upset that I finally decided to join the world again but wasn’t coming back to Wilton. I explained why I couldn’t. He discounted my reasons as being ridiculous when I told him I didn’t want to be haunted by memories of my wife.
Going into the call, I was prepared for him to react negatively about giving me a space to live in, so I instead called my brother, Noah, afterward. He still maintained the loft he shared with Lexi when they were engaged, but rarely used it. And because it sat vacant most of the time, he permitted me to move in there as long as I had no issue sharing it when he was in town.
Zane already left for work a couple of hours ago, so I was alone in his apartment. I was waiting for Xander to courier the contracts back to the Eltech attorneys so I could go in for signature. Then I would head to the bank to transfer the funds. Before I did, though, I wanted to sharpen up my look. As much as I enjoyed the beard, it was time to let it go.
On our way home from the steakhouse the night before, I noticed an old fashioned barbershop two doors down from it. Maybe I could also stop off and buy something a little more stylish than the thick fisherman sweaters and faded jeans I usually wore.
When I walk out of the barbershop, my face is clean-shaven, and my hair barely brushes my collar. From the looks I get from women, I must be attractive. My next stop is Macy’s. I purchase some slacks, dress shirts, and shoes. No one in Zane’s office seems to wear ties, so I forgo them.
I use the lobby bathroom to change and then head upstairs to drop my bags in my office. Once that’s done, I drop by Zane’s office. His space is triple the size of my office. It’s set up with a separate seating area that contains two full-length gray couches, a glass coffee table, and two-floor lamps. His desk is a thick smoke gray glass that has to be about eight feet long.
When I knock to get his attention, he’s on his phone. He raises his eyebrows and smiles when he sees me, gesturing to the chairs in front of his desk.
Once he says goodbye to the person on the other line, he gives me an appraising look. “Shit, you clean up well. I was much happier without the competition.”
“Well, I have no plans on getting involved with anyone, so there’s not competition.”
“So you’re just going to be single the rest of your life?”
“You plan to be?” I throwback at him.
“Hey, I spend time with and fuck women. You’re not even planning on that?”
“No. It would disrespect Cassie’s memory.”
“You’re a stronger man than me. I’m not sure I could lay off the opposite sex.”
“You never faced the loss I have,” I reply defensively.
He raises his hands in surrender. “A few months in the city might change your mind. The women here are magnificent.”
“I doubt my feelings will change. Anyway, my father is not happy about me, not coming back.”
“You spoke to him?”
I nod. “This morning. I decided not to ask for an apartment.”
“So you’re going to surf on my couch for how long?”
“Until tomorrow. Noah still maintains his loft, so I’ll be staying there since he barely uses it.”
“Nice place,” Zane approves.
“Yeah, it is, but I could stay in a shoebox and be happy.”
“I doubt that,, but I’m glad you found somewhere to stay.”
After a few seconds, I tell him, “I can sign the contract now. Your legal department should have it ready.”
“Great, let’s go.”
After signing off, I leave the office to transfer the funds from my bank. It was a rare early spring day where the sun was shining, and the wind was calm. I didn’t mind walking for a bit, and by the time I get back, it was lunchtime. As I unlock my office door, Olivia rounds the corner. She is dressed in tight jeans and a dark blouse that accentuates her pale arms and neck. She stops short when she sees me.
“Mr. Wilton, you look so different,” she comments, smiling shyly at me.
“Please, call me Lucian. No need to be so formal.”
