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“Well, that shouldn’t be too hard,” he says. “You majored in business, right? I’m sure there are a lot of businesses in the state of New York looking for graduates to run things for them.”
“I hope so,” I say, shrugging. “I do hope I find somewhere fast. I want to stand on my own two feet. After being away for college, staying with my folks again seems like going backward.”
He smiles. “I remember the feeling,” he says. “I moved out as quickly as I could. I think I spent about a month back at home before I realized I was never going to fit in there again.”
“That’s kind of sad, isn’t it?” I ask. “We spend all our childhood with this one set of people, and then…”
“And then we make our own set of people,” Sean says. “That’s all. I don’t think it’s sad – it’s just part of growing up. If you’re lucky, your family teaches you how to set up a great family, so when it’s time you can make someone else very happy as well.”
“I guess it’s nice when you put it that way,” I say.
“What do you see in your future?” he asks, looking out of the window. I look, too, and see that we’re near the water. “A husband? Children?”
“Um, I think so,” I say, with an awkward half-laugh. “It’s not like I’m dating someone right now. And I guess there are a lot of steps to go through before I get there. But yes, I would like my own family.”
He nods thoughtfully as if what I just said is really interesting. It occurs to me then that this is the perfect time to ask – to find out more about him. All I have to do is turn the conversation around.
“How about you?” I ask. “Do you have your own family?”
“Sir, we’re here,” the taxi driver announces loudly, to my surprise. And it’s the most unwelcome distraction because then Sean leans forward to pay him, and we’re both getting out of the car, and it seems like the question has been forgotten.
And I’m very confused because we’re not standing out in front of some big complex or the kind of old building where an exclusive members’ club might sit. Instead, we’re right on the waterfront, where a string of yachts and boats and even, further down, ferries are floating gently on the current.
“Where’s the Tempest?” I ask, looking around for some kind of hint.
“Right here,” Sean says, gesturing to a large yacht moored not far away. He puts a pair of sunglasses on, then turns to grin at me. “Our own private little hideaway.”
Chapter Thirteen
Sean
I’m so glad I thought of bringing Candace here. It’s one of the venues that I get good access to, given that I helped the owners to set up their business. They still work with my firm to this day, which means that whenever I’m in Melbourne, I stop by to get a little relaxation time. The owners consider it part of my fee, and when I don’t manage to get time to visit, those owed days build up.
Truthfully, though, I always try to make time to come here. Usually, I try to impress new business partners by bringing a group of them to spend the day here. Not only is it great for showing them what working with us can do, but it also helps them to network with each other. It’s not by coincidence that I might invite this investment banker on the same day as that fledgling CEO who needs funding.
But today, this is all for Candace. I’m glad I had it booked. I was planning to invite the guys from last night before I met her. Now I know I made the right choice, as I step onto the deck and then extend a hand for her to come up and join me.
“Wow,” she breathes, glancing around.
I’m not surprised by the reaction. It’s how I felt when I first showed up here. The owners have spared no expense in making this the finest luxury yacht that is never likely to actually sail on the sea. It’s docked here year-round, rented out for firework viewings on New Year or private parties in the summer.
We’re walking now onto the relaxation deck, where chairs are set out for people to lounge in the sun around a small private pool. The crew is ranged out to greet us, as always, another impressive show of force. I have a feeling most of them are going to be bored today.
“Mr. Fogarty,” the leader of the group says, stepping forward to shake my hand. “It’s lovely to see you again.”
“Thank you, Captain,” I say. It’s more of an honorary title. They don’t really need a Captain here, given that they never sail. But this man takes care of the other staff and ensures everyone always has what they need, so he has an important role to play. “It’s just the two of us today.”
