“What?”
“You’re... in a full suit. Was I supposed to be doing something with you?” They looked down at themselves, still in boxer briefs and an undershirt. “I need time to shower?—”
“I want to meet Daisy,” I blurted. “I’m ready.” I stood a little straighter. My hands had gone clammy, and I felt entirely undignified, but I was determined to do this.
“Today?”
“Today.” I said firmly.
Neal’s eyebrows rose high, and their mouth dropped open. “Oh? Okay, I-I’ll give her a call. I’m not sure if she’s busy or not. She’ll probably want to get out of the houseafter last night.” They rubbed the back of their neck nervously and looked back at me. “Max was a dick about us interrupting his dinner party. She made Tuth and I leave once they started going at it.”
“Is she alright?” I demanded, enraged. “How could you just leave her like that?” Horrific imaginings of her being beaten and berated by that asshat she called fiancé came to mind. While I hadn’t heard of any abuse with Daisy, he’d been in trouble in the past with abusing women, and the punch I’d seen him land on his mistress was telling.
I made a mental note to ask Neal about that night at the hotel. Why had they been so chummy with Max then, but was willing to help me now?
“She’s fine, calm down.” They waved me off. “I called her a few hours later. She cried a lot, but she’s fine. Let me go shower and clean up a bit and I’ll call her.”
“Clean up?” I shook my head. Neal huffed and stood back, offering for me to come inside. Cautiously, I stepped through and stopped short. Their living room looked like they’d been having ragers every night.
“Was there a party?” I asked, staring in mild disgust at the takeout containers, liquor bottles, various ashtrays, and clothes everywhere.
“No, I’m just a slob. Give me a few hours, actually. I’ll light a candle and open some windows,” they muttered. “The rain from last night will make it smell better.”
“It’s supposed to rain today too,” I commented, my mind elsewhere. I walked deeper into the house, shaking my head at each new room. All were various degrees of filth. A few hours of Neal’s cleaning would do nothing.
“You go shower and call Daisy. I’m going to send some of my staff over here.” I stepped on something that squished under my shoe. I swallowed, praying Neal didn’t have pets. Ilifted my foot to examine and was relieved to find it wasn’t animal shit but a pizza bagel.
“Sorry, I was really high last night. I can pay to get that cleaned.” They cringed.
“It’s fine. My staff will be over in a bit. Just do what I asked and let me know what time she’ll be here.” I started for the door.
“Why not invite her over to your place?”
I turned. I’d thought of that. It made the most sense. Show her my newfound wealth right off the bat. Explode her mind with all that I have to offer her now, but...
There was a guest currently in my private dining quarters that I didn’t want her to meet.
One big revelation at a time, Gatsby.
“No. Your home is just fine. A nice... middle ground. Thank you for this, Chief.”
“Chief?”
I winked. “Well, Old Sport feels a bit outdated.”
I left Neal standing in their messy house, scratching their head, not catching the reference. I made another mental note to gift them a copy of Fitzgerald’s most famous work after this was all said and done.
Once I had my green light.
I looked up at the sky. It was definitely going to rain today. It wasn’t ideal, but if I didn’t do this now, I would have less control over things. Eventually, she’ll discover my ruse and she’d resent me for not coming forward. No, today was the day, rain be damned.
I strode back to my estate and promptly ordered a crew to head over to Neal’s to clean. Then I went to find Dewayne and Jules.
“Jules, can you prepare some desserts?”
“Of course. What are you thinking?” He reached for his notepad.
I grinned. “Everything.”
