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“Say what?” asked Deke.
“The Sagittarius Resort?” Evan pointed in the general direction of the Pacific Ocean. “That Sagittarius?”
Lex nodded.
The five-star complex had close to a thousand rooms and sat on a stunning stretch of beach north of Malibu. It was one of the crown jewels of the California tourism industry.
“I figure it could be the start of a new chain,” said Lex.
“You can afford it?” asked Deke.
“I’d need a partner. Maybe two partners.” He sent a meaningful glance in Evan’s direction.
“Oh, no, no.” Evan took a step backward, glancing at Deke, knowing a setup when he saw one. “I don’t know how you two lost your collective minds, but you are not riding in here to rescue me. I’m fine. I am completely fine, professionally, financially and romantically.”
“What makes you think this is about you?” asked Lex.
“Of course it’s about me.” Evan was equal parts touched and horrified that his friends would suggest such an outlandish scheme.
“This is the first I’m hearing about the Sagittarius,” said Deke.
Evan didn’t know whether to believe him or not.
“I’d have to be a silent partner,” Deke continued, looking for all the world like he was taking the idea seriously. “I don’t have time for any day-to-day responsibilities. Then again, I wouldn’t need to draw a salary either.”
“No problem,” Lex responded. “I can run a hotel with my eyes closed. Evan will be in charge of international expansion. You just pony up with a check.”
Deke was nodding thoughtfully.
“Stop this,” Evan demanded, glancing from one man to the other. “You two have completely over-estimated the magnitude of my problems.”
“It’s not all about you, Evan,” said Deke.
“Ha,” Evan barked.
“What is with him?” Lex asked Deke.
“He isn’t over Angie yet.”
“I am absolutely over—”
“Well, get over Angie,” said Lex. “And think logically here. Tell me that the three of us going into business together would not be an absolute blast? I don’t want to work for someone else for the rest of my life. You and me, all three of us, we’re smarter now, more experienced, and we have some serious capital at our disposal. I know the tourism industry. You know international business. Deke, well, maybe he can build us a robotic cleaning system or something. But he can come to the annual shareholders’ meetings. We’ll have them in Hawaii, find you a hot girl, get you over your heartbreak.”
“I’m not heartbroken.” But Lex’s words had him wondering if this might not be such a bad idea.
How amazing would it be to go into business with his two old friends? Lex and Deke were both brilliant. They were innovative and hard-working. Together, the three of them would have a real shot at building something successful.
He could throw all of his energy into the venture, totally focusing on business for the foreseeable future.
“Just how far have you thought this through?” he asked Lex.
“I just spent fourteen hours on airplanes. So, fourteen hours, plus a three-hour layover.”
“Is the Sagittarius even for sale?”
“It will be,” said Lex. “The family who owns it is having some...challenges. That’s what kicked off my plan. Rita Loring just discovered her husband is sleeping with his assistant, putting the pre-nup in her favor. I know she’ll sell her share. The woman couldn’t care less about the hotel, and she’ll get a kick out of ruining Lewis Loring. Her daughter will support her. If I offer, both women will sell their shares of the business and go on a shopping spree. And Lewis will be left with a choice between staying on as a minor shareholder and cashing out. Since the place has lost money the past three years in a row, I’m betting he’ll cash out.”
“How do you know all this?” Deke asked.
“I talk to people,” said Lex. “I buy them drinks. Sometimes I sleep with them.”
“You slept with Rita Loring?” Evan voiced the first thought that popped into his mind.
Lex’s expression twisted into a grimace. “I slept with her daughter.”
Deke coughed out a laugh. “I’m in.”
“The daughter’s not ticked off?” asked Evan.
“The daughter’s already moved on. She’s got bigger fish than me to reel in. It’ll take me a week or two to put the deal together. But we’ve got to move fast.”
Both men stared at Evan.
“I have to decide right now?” He glanced at the half-built shelves, thinking his evening plans had taken a huge left turn.
“Yes, you have to decide right now,” Lex mocked. “What’s to decide?”
It was a fair question. Of all of them, Evan was the guy in the best position to make a big change in his life. He had to make a change. The status quo had ceased being an option over a week ago.
His mind shifted to Angie. He told himself, really truly told himself, that it was over. There was absolutely no going back. Forward was his only choice.
“Okay,” he said, forming a plan in his mind as he spoke. “I’ve got some liquid investments and the cash from the Pasadena house. And J.D. left me several million dollars in his will. I was going to donate it to charity or maybe burn it in protest. But I suppose it’s honorable to contribute it to the cause.”
“You’re in?” Lex asked with a grin.
“I’m in,” Evan stated with conviction.
“We need a very old bottle of scotch,” said Deke, fishing his car keys out of his pocket, “to toast our new venture.”
* * *
Angelica had dressed in an ultrafeminine outfit once again in an effort to impress Conrad. But she needn’t have bothered. He wasn’t at home, and it was Albert, the butler, who showed her and Evan inside. They were meeting with the catering manager and the florist to tour the house and settle some questions about the setup and décor for the wedding.
Kayla and Matt had made it as far as Edinburgh on their way back home. They’d sent several texts while in the airport changing planes. They were thrilled with the wedding plans and reported that everything seemed set for the art exhibit. By now, they’d be over the Atlantic on their way to New York. Once they made it to California, the wedding planning was going to get a whole lot simpler for Angelica and Evan.
Albert, who seemed exceedingly good at his job, had offered her a glass of chardonnay this time instead of the single malt. Evan had chosen a beer.
The group worked their way through an impressive kitchen and dining area, agreeing that the bride should come down the grand staircase, and discussing how the great room should be set up for the ceremony. The guests could then mingle on the terrace and even on the beach at low tide, while staff replaced the folding chairs used for the ceremony and set up the tables for a sit-down dinner.
The caterer seemed impressed with the kitchen, and had requested extra prep tables in the breakfast room. The florist took pictures and measurements, and went over photos of the arrangements Kayla had already chosen, ensuring they would still work with the new décor. Soon they had what they needed.
While Albert showed the florist and caterer out, Angelica wandered across the terrace, trying to imagine Kayla’s smile and her mother’s delight at the amazing surroundings. She made her way to the lowest level of the terrace then gave in to temptation, taking the narrow staircase down to the beach level.
The tide was out, leaving a wide strip of damp sand exposed beyond the rocky shore. She kicked off her shoes to pick her way to the shore.
The sky was clear, and the half-moon illuminated an orange buoy about thirty yards out. She captured her hair in her hand, holding it against a gust of wind. Her aqua silk wraparound dress rustled against her legs. As she moved toward the water, she heard the sound of Evan’s footfalls behind her.
“Reminds me of the opening scene in Jaws,” she observed.
“Going skinny-dipping?”
“Not on your life.”
“Chicken,” he mocked softly.
“Uh-huh,” she agreed, taking a sip of the crisp wine. “Do you think they’ll be happy?”
“Matt and Kayla?”
“Yes. Not with each other. That’s a given. I mean with the arrangements we’re making. I know we’ve done our best, but it’s hard to second-guess people.” It was shaping up to be a wedding that Angelica would love. But what bride wanted someone else to do the planning for her?
“It was their decision to go to Scotland,” said Evan. He was standing beside but slightly behind her as she gazed out at the dark water.
“They didn’t expect the storm.”
“Or the need for the extra approval.”
“At least they got the exhibit.” Kayla had come across as very excited in her texts to Angelica.
“It’s all coming together for them.” There was a wistful note in Evan’s voice.
Angelica could relate to that emotion. When they’d first introduced Matt and Kayla to each other, she and Evan had been the stable couple, happy, in love and newly engaged. Back then, it had been Matt and Kayla helping with preparation for Angelica and Evan’s wedding. A lump formed in her throat at the memories.
