“Well, first of all, you didn’t notice, but I kept this.”
I pulled one of the napkins that Ruby had sketched on last week at Midway from my pocket. I had been carrying it around since then.
"I can't believe you kept this. I was wondering where it went. I had the others because I always keep everything Isketch. I thought I accidentally threw this one out. Why’d you keep it?”
She looked at me as if I was crazy.
"You know, my parents died in that car accident when I was 17. They had life insurance money that went into a trust until I’m 25. I doubt it’s enough, but it got me thinking so I talked to my grandfather about your idea and to see if he would release my trust a year early."
Delicately, Ruby took the napkin from me. Her fingers held it softly as if it might break.
"I showed it to my grandfather and told him everything you said. And I don't know if it's just that he loves you that much,” he laughed, “or if he really does think it's a great idea, but he said that he would release my trust money early so we could do it. I don't think it's enough money. But he gave me some ideas for talking to the family to, you know, bring them in on the project so that they can profit even more from it. And it just—it all just makes sense, Ruby."
"Are you kidding me? I... I can't believe this."
"You're my future, Ruby. Whether we do this or not, whether we have fish sticks and rice for the rest of our lives, all I want is to be with you. You have this dream, and I believe in it. Because I believe in you. And that's what I want. That's what I want for my future, for our future. I want to make a career out of making you happy, out of making your dreams come true."
* * *
I refolded the napkin along its creases and carefully slipped it into my suit jacket pocket. I could understand the sentimentality behind the napkin. It was more than just a sketch. A lot more.
Tension filled my shoulders and my jaw clenched.
And yet she’s ready to throw it all away.
After all this time. After the 20 years I spent building the company for her. I did all of this for her.
But she’s unhappy.
I looked at the time and realized that Ruby's presentation to the Ocean City Council would be starting soon. We decided to have it in our offices to show them what came with working with a company like ours. A company that values community. Harding Homes wasn’t just a billion-dollar company, we were a family and that’s what mattered.
I needed to be there.
This wasn't about Ocean City anymore, or any project. This was about me being the president and CEO of Harding Homes.
I should be the one talking to the council. I should be the one making a presentation.
Chapter 13
Ruby
The conference room was packed by the time I got there. The room was mostly glass with an incredible view of the New York City skyline. It was a corner room, which I always loved because it meant that I also got a view of the Statue of Liberty.
I had been so busy over the last three days getting everything ready for the presentation that I didn’t have time for nerves. Strangely, today I felt calm. Whether the town council approved the floor plans and sketches or not, I knew I was presenting them with a great option.
At one end of the room, a lunch buffet was set up. In the center of the room was the long conference table. At the furthest end of the room was the only non-glass wall, where the 3D renderings would display.
Clutching my original sketches to my chest, I headed towards the screening area to set them down.
I hadn't spoken to Oscar in days. Not that I was avoiding him. I actually wondered if he was avoiding me.
He had been spending much more time at work, and when he was home, he was either behind closed doors in his home office or in the guest suite.
Seated at the conference table, was Nicole's husband, Dustin Hall. I went over and put my hand on his shoulder to say hello.
He jumped, startled.
"Oh, hi Ruby. I didn't see you come in. How have you been?"
