Chapter 61: Chapter Sixty-One

Everett

I am meeting Hugo for lunch today to discuss our new business opportunity. I have made up my mind. I will go, but only for a few weeks, no longer. I refuse to leave Aubrey for so long. If Hugo doesn’t accept my suggestions, he can find someone else to go because it won’t be me.

I arrived a few minutes ago, and I soon saw Hugo come in, glancing around, looking for me. He smiles when he spots me, strolling over and takes his seat across from me. We order our coffees before we get down to business. We can order lunch soon.

“Have you made up your mind?” he asks.

“Yes. I am not going, not for a year. I will go for a few weeks to get things started, but you will need to find someone to come with me who can take over.”

“Why only a few weeks? I thought you would have jumped at the opportunity to go somewhere new, open a new business and earn millions.”

He doesn’t sound annoyed at me, more surprised.

“Things have changed. I can’t go for a year. It is too long. I will be leaving something behind that when I return will be gone.”

Hugo rests back on the seat, and a smirk curls on his lips. “You have met someone.”

I should have been more careful about what I said, but I didn’t want to lie to him, not completely. He can know I have met someone. He doesn’t need to know who it is.

“Yes, I have. It is still new, but it is going well, and it has been a long time since I have had feelings like this for anyone. If I leave for a year, we won’t make it. Everything is far too new for me to disappear for a year.”

I wish I could tell him the truth, but I can’t. It is way too soon.

“Oh, wow, it has been a long time since you have had feelings. Who is she? How did you meet?”

“As I said, everything is still new. I don’t want to say too much or jinx it. I will introduce her to you all when we are ready, not before. We met at a bar. And no, she isn’t like all those other women I end up sleeping with. It is more than that. She is more than that. I am sorry, Hugo, but I can’t go for an entire year.”

“I can’t wait to meet her when you are both ready. I understand why you don’t want to go. Do you think you could go for a month? I will send someone with you who can take over after, but I need to make sure everything is going smoothly. With you there, no one will mess around. I would come with you, but I can’t be away from my family for so long.”

We have great employees, more than one who will be suitable, but we need to make sure whoever we pick doesn’t have a family or a reason to stay. A lot of people would jump at the chance to spend a year in London, be in charge.

“I can try. We need to find the right person. I don’t mind flying back and forth every couple of months to check on everything.”

It would be fine to do that. It would only be for a few days here and there, nothing more.

“Thank you. Yes, I can come with you to check in, too. A few days away will be fine. I know Aubrey would come and stay with Erica and the kids while I am gone if I asked.”

I try not to smile at the mention of Aubrey’s name. I keep it together because I don’t want him sensing even for a second that the person I am talking about is Aubrey.

“We will make it work,” I say confidently.

“We will. So, this new woman, is she your girlfriend?”

“Yes, she is my girlfriend.”

Hugo smiles brightly. “Aww, check my big brother growing up, finally.” He teases.

I laugh loudly. “I am grown up.”

“I am happy for you, Everett. I really am. You seem happy. You must really like her if you are picking her over London. It is about time you find someone who can put up with your nonsense,” he laughs.

I flip him off, laughing too. “I am happy. She is amazing. She knows how to deal with me. I need to be careful, though. She has been through a lot and is still healing. I don’t want to hurt her in any way.”

“You will be fine. It will work out. We expect to meet her sooner rather than later.”

I nod and pick up the menu to hide my face and sigh. Hugo won’t be as happy for me when he finds out the truth.

“When we are ready. When she is ready. Should we order?”

I wanted to change the subject before he started asking too many questions. We glance over the menu, placing our orders. Hugo disappears to the bathroom, and I take the opportunity to text Aubrey.

Hey, baby girl. Hugo and I talked. I am going for a month. Will you be okay with that? He knows I am seeing someone, but obviously I didn’t tell him who xx

I am sure we can make it a month. You did? Why? xx

The words came from my mouth before I could stop them. He would have worked it out anyway, because it would be the only reason to keep me here xx

True. As long as he doesn’t work out, it is me xx

He won’t. I promise. I should go, Hugo will be back from the bathroom soon. I will see you later, beautiful xx

See you later, handsome xx

I put my cell away in time for Hugo to return to the table. I make sure we keep the conversation about business or Erica and the kids, swaying him away from my relationship. We make a plan for London, booking my flights and hotel for when I am there. Whoever is coming with me, we will add to the booking when we work it out. Hopefully, I can sneak Aubrey to London one of the weekends while I am in London.

“Are you going to tell me anything about your girlfriend?”

I laugh. “All you need to know is that she is incredible, beautiful, and kind. Everything else you will find out when you meet her.”

Hugo raises his brow at me. “You can at least tell me a name, or I will begin to think you are making her up.”

“Addie.” I lie.

It is the first name that came to my mind.

“Can’t she go to London with you?”

I shake my head. “No, she has too many things here. Maybe she will come and visit one weekend.” I smile.

Thankfully, our food arrives, ending the conversation. There is a chance it won’t be the end of it, though. He will tell Erica, and then she will question and pester me about when she can meet the mysterious woman. I can worry about that when it happens.