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“I don’t even care about getting that promotion. There’ll be other opportunities. But you only have one shot at launching this thing, just you and Enzo. And of all the drugs I’ve seen come through my office, I’m confident this one will make a mark. It’ll save lives, like so many of the others we approve, but it will also change behavior. Bars, restaurants, drinking itself will never be the same. This is huge, Hayden. What you and Enzo are doing is remarkable.”
My chest swells with pride. She’s never talked about Angel, Inc. before. With good reason.
“And I refuse to mess this up for you.”
I think of Enzo . . . and his approval.
I think of my dad . . . and his meddling ways.
I think of Ada in my arms, loving her. When it comes down to it, there’s no decision.
“I love you, Ada.”
Wow, it feels strange to say that. But I’ll be damned if I’m not going to lean into it with everything I’ve got.
“I have never said those words to another woman before, but I’m saying them now because it’s true. I love you and will not wait two years to be with you. If you want to keep this on the down-low, fine. If you want to recuse yourself from our case and bring us out into the open, that’s fine too. Actually, more than fine. If we’re approved now or in five months, great.”
If she looks shocked, then I haven’t done a good enough job of making her feel loved. But I aim to fix that.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said about my parents. Even talked to my mom last night for almost an hour. Were they shitty parents? Yes. Am I jealous of Enzo and his big crazy Italian family? Of course. But you’re right. My parents do love me, in their own messed-up way. My dad didn’t have to loan us jack shit. But he did, and sure, he only did it under his terms, but he’s looking out for his interests too. Maybe I haven’t given him enough of a reason to trust my business instincts. As long as I have you by my side, I really don’t care if he’s involved in the business. Enzo retains his share no matter what. And I’m living proof—” I laugh bitterly, “—that money certainly doesn’t buy happiness. I don’t need more than a quarter share.”
“Hayden . . .” She wipes away a tear.
I don’t let her say no. “Let me come over there. Let’s talk about this in person.”
“Hayden,” she repeats, “I can’t let you do this. You say it’s OK now, but what if it’s worse than you think? What if you’re miserable about it in a few years? Besides, we don’t have to stay apart forever. Once the post-approval period expires . . .”
She didn’t say it back. She didn’t say she loves me, and I can tell she intends to go through with this. My throat, my lungs . . .
“You said that could be up to two years,” I manage to say.
“In some cases, yes. But probably more like fifteen months.”
“No.” That’s the only answer I have for her. “No way.”
“I understand if you don’t want to wait that long . . .”
“Wait that long? I don’t want to wait a week. Or even a day. Did you hear me, Ada? I want to be with you.”
No wonder there are so many songs about unrequited love and pain and misery. A broken heart feels worse than a broken nose. I would know.
It sucks.
“If that’s true,” she starts, but I interrupt.
“It is, Ada. I promise it’s true, and you know I don’t break a promise. Except that once.” I try to smile, but it doesn’t work.
“Then you’ll accept my terms.”
“Anything.”
“When you are no longer my sponsor, I’m yours.”
I look at her through the small screen. Did she just say . . .
“Ada . . .” I stop just short of begging. Ada doesn’t reveal her hand very often, but when she does, my lioness is fiercely determined.
I don’t know what else to say. I laid it all out there, told her how I felt, and it didn’t do any good. I can see her mind is made up, which is why she didn’t want to come here. To tell me in person.
