Chapter 38
Dane
I was sitting in the lobby of the hotel, with a glass of whiskey in my hand. It was the middle of the day and the sun was bright and strong outside. It was no time to drink…especially not whiskey, but I needed something with a punch. Seeing Emilia playing and laughing, spending time with her that morning, had revitalized those paternal feelings I felt for her when I saw her for the first time. And also, my feelings for Sydney were confused and mixed up and I had no idea what to do with them.
I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see that Jane Lebowski had found me again. She was in a bikini top as before and a short denim skirt. Her dog was on a leash and pulling at it as usual. The previous day, when I attempted to go for a walk with her to distract myself, I had ended up eventually making an excuse and walking back towards Sydney’s house immediately after. Now, she had her hands on her hips and her dark glasses pushed up on her head.
“Where did you disappear to yesterday, Mr Forsyth?” she asked with a naughty smile dancing on her lips. I was in no mood to entertain her, but she didn’t seem to get the hint. Instead, she sat down with a thump on the sprawling leather couch in front of me and crossed her endlessly long bare legs. I could tell that she was trying to entice me.
“I had some business to attend to,” I said and drank from my glass. She watched me with keen eyes, but that smile didn’t leave her face.
“Whiskey, at this hour?” she asked with a menacing arch of her brows. “You never told me what you’re doing here, by yourself,” she added and I looked away from her. The last thing I needed right then, was small talk.
“I’m here on vacation, just like you,” I said in a flat voice, hoping that she would quickly leave me alone.
“I always imagined you to be the kind of person who couldn’t go on vacation alone. Not without the company of a stunning female companion,” she said teasingly and I noticed the way she was thrusting her cleavage out towards me. Before…probably before I met Sydney, this would have been all the coaxing I would have needed to invite her to lunch and then a tumble in my hotel room soon after. But now, it seemed tasteless. I didn’t even recognize that guy in me any more. This was a good reminder of who I really wanted to be with.
“You shouldn’t believe everything they write about me in the tabloids, Jane,” I said and she threw back her head and laughed loudly.
“You’re right, I shouldn’t…but they got one thing right about you. You’re absolutely delicious,” she said and gently she grazed my knee with her pinkie finger. I moved my knee away from her and took another large sip of my whiskey.
“You know what, the truth is that I’m not on vacation. I’m here because I’m in love with a woman I can’t have,” I said and stood up from my seat. There was no point prolonging this conversation and neither was there any point in leading her on. I was done with that life. It was time to face up to what I actually wanted.
Jane Lebowski looked stunned, she sat back in her chair with her mouth hanging open and her dog pulling at the lead on her side.
“You’re in love with someone?” she asked, in disbelief. I emptied the remaining whiskey from my glass and slapped it down on the coffee table between us. There was no need for an actual response to that question. She had heard me correctly.
“Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a phone call to make. It was nice meeting you Jane,” I said and without waiting for a response, I walked away from her and out through the hotel doors into the sun.
I walked back over to the promenade before I pulled my phone out of the pocket of my pants. I hesitated, only for a moment, before I dialed Matthew Bradbury’s number. It went through to his secretary who eventually connected me to him after a few rings.
“Dane! Where the Hell are you? These people have been telling me that you’re out of reach!” Matthew sounded pissed off. And I didn’t blame him. Not only had I slept with his daughter, I had also disappeared the next day, without a word to anyone. Only Tina knew where I was and she was sealed up like a vault. I couldn’t even imagine the number of phone calls and people she had to keep at bay, to keep my location hidden.
“I had some personal things to attend to, Matthew,” I said and he didn’t sound like he was pleased by that response.
“You left us in hot water, son. Are you back now?” he asked, in a grim voice and I took in a deep breath.
“I’m not, Matthew and I’m not sure when I’ll be back,” I said and there was silence on the other end. I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to broach the other subject, but I didn’t want to be a coward and not say anything. Fortunately, Matthew did it for me.
“Is this about Piper?” he asked, in a more calm voice.
“What did she tell you?” I said and I heard Matthew sigh.
“What she always says about all the men she sleeps with to get to me. I was wondering when it was going to be your turn,” he said and I was surprised to hear how calm he sounded.
“This has happened before?” I asked.
“Too often to count. Friends, colleagues, employees, sons of friends, sons of colleagues…you name it. Piper’s sexual life is dictated around what she can to do to get on my nerves. This isn’t new,” he said and I looked out at the ocean.
“Well, either way, I believe an apology is in order, Matthew. I don’t know what I was thinking and I should have conducted myself in a better way around your daughter,” I said, trying to sound as clinical as possible.
“Don’t worry about it. I have no opinion about your personal life, son, and what Piper does is her business too. I really don’t care about that. I’m hoping it’s a phase that she’ll eventually grow out of. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t give two hoots what happens between the two of you,” he continued and I felt a huge weight being lifted off my shoulder.
We were both silent for some time.
“So, will you be back soon then? Now that this is all sorted out?” he asked and I pressed my eyes close.
“I have a daughter, Matthew,” I said to him, and it felt good to say it out loud. Matthew was silent for a few seconds, after which he breathed heavily through his nose.
“Why have you kept this from all of us?” he asked.
“I didn’t know about her till yesterday either. She’s nine months old and her name is Emilia,” I said into the phone.
“Well, congratulations are in order then, son,” he said and when I said nothing, he added, “unless this isn’t good news.”
“No, it’s brilliant news. I love her already, she’s changed my life, Matthew,” I said, not sure why I was discussing this with my boss, but I realized then that I had nobody else to really discuss this with.
“Then, what is the problem? Bring her over here,” he said in a more joyous voice.
“I’m in love with her mother. That was why I came here…where I am, in Florida. I came here to be with Sydney and now I’ve found out that we also have a child together,” I said and neither of us said anything for a while. Clearly, this had boggled Matthew’s mind just as much as it was boggling mine. Matthew took in a deep breath and then sighed.
“Take all the time you need to figure things out, Dane. On second thought, we don’t need you here right away. I’ll tell you son, I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes right now,” he said and a small nervous laugh escaped my lips.
“Thanks Matthew, I’ll keep you posted and hopefully I wouldn’t have to stay away too long,” I said and hung up.
I was facing the waves now and I remained standing where I was. The beach was already beginning to fill up with new tourists and locals. It was an exceptionally beautiful day and even the breeze was warm. There were palm trees swaying along the promenade and the call of seagulls was peaceful.
I felt a sudden urge to see Emilia again.