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“How can I help them if Nat isn’t speaking to me?”
“Help her brother overcome his demons,” Jim continued. “It’s what you set out to do in the first place.”
“True. I haven’t even returned his calls yet,” I said, feeling like a bastard for ghosting him too.
“Yeah, well, thank God we’ve wrangled the kid while you’ve been on a mission to punish your mother,” Alex said. “How’s that working out for you?”
“I’ve got nothing on her, and now, my brother and I are no longer speaking to each other.”
“How do you feel about losing your brother over this?” Jim asked.
“Horrible, like this is one big fucking mess,” I answered. “I just need to prioritize. I can’t lose Natalia. I need her in my life. We barely began a solid relationship before I burned it to the ground.”
“Forgiveness is a beautiful thing,” Jim said, “and it all starts with humility. You need to start somewhere, and I think working with her brother is the only way you’ll get yourself back in her life.”
“Then that’s where I start,” I said. “I’ll fund any program he needs.”
“Stop throwing money at things,” Jake said. “I know we’re all born and bred to use our wealth as an answer to everything. But, trust me, you want to be helpful in a hands-on approach and go from there. If money is needed, then use it, but stop instantly assuming that financing anything will help them. Got me?”
“I’m with you. I need to meet with Shane and figure out where he’s at with everything. You’re sure I shouldn’t contact her?”
“What does your gut tell you when you think about doing it?” Alex questioned.
“That if I don’t try and reach out, then she’s got nothing. She at least needs me to do something to show my heart is still with her, whether she loves or hates me. I won’t rest easy if I don’t.”
“Text the woman,” Jim stood, “and then get ahold of her brother. And while you’re working on that, let’s get some dinner and talk about the Yarmin Company.”
“Right behind you guys,” I said as the trio stood to leave. “And thank you. I appreciate it.”
“We just want to ensure you’re both happy,” Jim said.
“Gotta get that lady back,” Alex said before they disappeared from my office, leaving me to pack up and pull my shit together.
I knew what I needed to do; if I lost Nat, I lost her. However, I would not allow her to suffer without me trying to be there for her.
I was worried that her father was her enemy, and in my determination to figure that out, I also became an enemy. Fuck. Being a fixer had bit me in the ass this time, but if I wished for Nat to forgive me, I needed to find the strength to forgive myself first.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
NAT
I walked out of the showing with my clients, completely satisfied with how it went. I turned back and smiled at the newlywed couple who, from the looks on their faces, were already deciding which room would be the nursery.
“And I’m sure you’re both going to want to place an offer as soon as I get back to the office,” I said presumptively.
“I think we should probably discuss this property a little more,” the young man said, daring to look at his wife for her reaction to his comment.
“Listen, Travis, I need to level with you since your beautiful wife here has eyes that are begging me to be the bad guy in this,” I teased, glancing at her subtle nod. I looked up at the beautiful home nestled in Hollywood Hills, knowing this was the right place for them. “It’s got everything you want: the pool, the feel of privacy, and multiple rooms to accommodate a growing family. I could go on and on, but as we’ve discussed over the tour, it meets every need you both have. That said, you need to know that at least four other couples love this house and its amenities as much as you do.” I’d worked with too many couples like this to count, and I didn’t want this house to slip away from them. “Now, I can get your offer in as soon as possible. I happen to be great friends with the listing agent, and I know she’ll put in a good word for us, but we can’t wait too long.”
“I know what you’re trying to do,” Travis said as his wife—who owned a boutique clothing store on Rodeo Drive and could single-handedly fund the acquisition of this home and then some—clung to him, pleading for him to say yes.
“Oh, you do?” I questioned with a smile. “You mean, place pressure on you, so you make a decision that will get you laid tonight?”
Travis coughed, and I chuckled. Thankfully, these two were fun and had a sense of humor, or else I couldn’t be my usual self.
“Well, if that’s the case,” Travis eyed his adorable wife.
“I assume this is our home, then?” Natasha finally broke her silence and allowed us to hear her soft French accent. Her excitement was understated but infectious.
