Chapter Twenty-Three
Alfie
Hot water trailed down the back my neck as I stood under the spray of the shower trying to mentally prepare for the day. This would be the last meeting I needed to have in the U.S. with the investors before I could return back to my life in London and Devon. While I felt a trickle of relief at the thought, now that I had Molly’s brilliant marketing plan tucked away in my briefcase, I didn’t want to leave just yet.
The investors would be pleased with the marketing idea. Running a hand over my face, I tilted my head up to let the hot water blast against my skin. I needed to do something fast to save this part of my company, but I couldn’t stop the twist of guilt in my stomach.
I had no idea what the investors would think knowing that this idea came from outside of my company, and well outside of my own marketing team back in London. They were picky about where they invested their money, and they didn’t like outsiders when it came to the dollar amounts that they willingly put into the company.
I turned the hot water off with a sigh before stepping out of the shower to enter the bedroom suite. I dressed quickly when I glanced at the clock on the bedside table. A text message alert on my phone buzzed. Heart sinking, I picked it up to read Molly’s quick and positive message: Good luck with the meeting today. Let me know how it goes! I can’t wait to see you later.
Prick. That’s all I could think as I tucked my phone into the front pocket of my shirt without bothering with a reply. I was a selfish prick for taking Molly’s marketing idea to the investors, but she hadn’t asked for credit. She was well aware of how complicated these types of matters were, but it didn’t ease up the guilt in my stomach. She had lost her job and gave up her apartment in the city for Harry. I knew, even if she didn’t mention it, that she needed a foot in the door again for her career.
I’d spent the night in the city at a fancy ass hotel just to be near downtown the next morning. It wasn’t as cozy as staying at Logan’s place, but I made due for the night.
I took the elevator down to the hotel lobby after I texted my driver to meet me out front in five minutes while I got coffee from the hotel’s tiny coffee shop. Cradling a cup, I stepped outside to greet the warm and busy morning as people streamed by me in their down directions of work. My driver pulled up in an SUV a minute later, and I hopped in the back passenger seat while I mentally ran the marketing idea over again.
The investors were already waiting in the conference room when I arrived twenty minutes later. It was tempting then to text Molly, to go over the idea one last time in her words, but I forced that thought away. This was my business. I needed to do something to protect it there in the States.
“Alfie. Good to see you.” One of the other gentlemen stood, the ring leader of the pack.
“You as well, Richard. Thanks to all of you for coming by.” I extended my hand and shook all of theirs, taking the time to look them each in the face. They needed to know that they could trust me, and they could.
My father had started our company when I was a baby, and I’d done everything in my power to not only maintain the name of it but to grow it into a developing, forward-thinking corporation. My father would have been proud. Hell, I was proud.
“Of course.” Douglas shook my hand last. “We want to make sure that you’re prepared to launch this next product as well as you launched the last.”
“I’m only as good as my last miracle, hm?” I chuckled, and they joined me. After walking to the front, I took a few seconds to set everything up and then launched into the marketing presentation without missing a beat. I was in my element, and I had full confidence in Molly’s idea. It was brilliant, as was she.
By the end, a room full of grey heads were bobbing back and forth in agreement. I got a quick round of applause as I wrapped up questions on the plan and bid the guys goodbye. Douglas Marx met me at the door.
“Excellent job.” He smiled broadly and shook my hand. “I have to say that it is exceedingly rare to find an innovative entrepreneurial type that can also sell the hell out of something, but you seem to be doing it.”
Guilt raced through me. Where I understood marketing, it wasn’t at all my strong suit. The marketing idea hadn’t belonged to me, and though I owned it during the presentation, the truth sat on the tip of my tongue. It was Molly.
It’s not that I wanted credit for the plan. I didn’t. I just didn’t want to ruffle any features by talking about an outsider. It would have been different if it were Bill or one of his team members. That would have been an easy thing to deal with. I’d just have given them credit. Always.
“Thank you, sir. I do believe this next product is going to take the company to a new level. You should see some forward momentum by Friday this week.” I shook his hand once more before releasing it and walking out of the building. I reached up and tugged my tie loose as I let out a long sigh.
For such a great turn out and response to the plan…I sure felt like shit.
*
“So? How did it go?” Logan met me at the door as I walked in with a small suitcase in my hand.
“Good.” I nodded and walked down the hall to the bedroom to deposit the thing. “They love it. The product is being well received, and Molly’s marketing plan was a huge hit.”
“That’s great news, man. I know that has to remove some weight from your shoulders, right?” He stood behind me in the doorway, his hands up on either side of the door as he leaned in, stretching.
“Yeah, but I feel like shit about not giving Mol credit. I just couldn’t. Those guys are so sensitive about bringing in anyone that isn’t part of the company or the shareholder family. Talking about a product to anyone outside of that tight-knit group is a big no-no.” I let out a sigh and walked toward him.
He backed up. “Damn. I can understand that from both sides.”
“Right? I’m picking her up for dinner in an hour or so, and I feel like I should apologize the minute I see her.” I walked to the kitchen with him and took the beer he handed me as he moved to the fridge and pulled a few out.
“No, don’t do that.” He took a sip of his beer. “She’s not trying to get a job with you guys, right?”
“I don’t think so, though having her join me wouldn’t be a bad idea at all.” I shrugged. “It’s something I might bring up to her, but no. She’s applying to get her old position back, I do believe.”
“Then leave it alone. You didn’t do it for nefarious reasons. It’s all good.” He sat down at the table. “Come on. Take off a load.”
I walked over and dropped down, letting out a long sigh. “You’re right. I need to just let it go.”
“There you go, buddy. Finally listening to a wise man’s advice.”
I glanced around and smiled. “I don’t see a wise man. I see a wise ass. Same thing?”
He laughed and launched into telling me about his day. The next hour flew by with us shooting the shit, and I found myself rushing around like crazy, trying to get ready for my date with Molly, which I should have had plenty of time to do.
I waved at Logan and walked out of the house as my heart fluttered. Had I done wrong by her? It wouldn’t have mattered so much if I weren’t falling for her. I didn’t want anything to come between us just in case we had a real chance at something.
I must have gotten good and lost in my thoughts because I looked up a few minutes later, and I was sitting in front of Peyton’s townhouse. My phone had directed me the whole way, and luckily enough, the voice on it hadn’t been a cheeky bitch and landed me in the middle of the field.
It had happened many times before.
I got out of the car and jogged to the front door as all thoughts and worries dissipated. Nothing mattered but spending the evening with Molly.
“Hi, Alfie. Good to see you again.” Peyton opened the door and gave me a quick, formal hug before moving back. “Come on in. Molly is still getting ready.”
“Good to see you too.” I walked in and breathed in deeply. The scent of Molly’s perfume filled the place. “I hate that the last time we saw each other, we were running around Ashburton looking for Molly.”
“Right? Fucking Harry,” she mumbled and walked toward the kitchen. “Come on in here and talk to me. I’m making some brownies. She’ll be right down.”
“Nope. No sitting down. I’m ready.” Molly walked through the other opening in the kitchen, stealing my breath. Her dark hair was half down and half up, and the cream-colored sundress she wore accented her heavy breasts and thick hips.
My whole body locked up as the blood from every extremity raced to my cock. Fuck. She was everything I’d ever dreamt of having in my life. How could I tell her that I wanted her forever when we barely knew each other? She’d just been through hell too. There was no way around it. I was just going to have to win her over slowly.
“Wow,” I whispered and moved over to stand in front of her. The heat between us was almost too much as I glanced down at her. “Don’t you look beautiful?”
“You like it?” She turned around and giggled softly. “Peyton made me buy it for our date.”
I glanced over my shoulder as my heart tried to beat its way out of my chest. “Thank you, Peyton.”
She glanced up and laughed. “Don’t mention it. Now, get out of here. I don’t have a date, and I’m getting jealous already!”
I turned back to Molly and leaned down, brushing my lips against hers as I pulled her close. “Where are we going, love?”
“Let’s grab sandwiches and go to my favorite spot in all of New York.”
“Which is?” I lifted an eyebrow and smirked.
“I’m not telling you. You’ll just have to wait and find out.” She lifted to her toes and pulled me down for another kiss.
Peyton clearing her throat behind us had us chuckling and leaving.
“You kids have fun!” Peyton called out as she stood at the front door.
“We will.” Molly slipped her hand into mine. “I’ve missed you.”
“You’ve no idea, lass. You’ve no idea.”