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“Yes,” Jamie answered for me. “There are plenty of music shops around, we can get a guitar.”
“Perfect, here . . .” He dug in his pocket and pulled out a business card. “I’m serious. I’ll fly your band members out for the night. I’d love to have you guys play. Just call me when you talk to your band okay. Sounds like you need to call them about the label anyway. Talk to you soon, Elliot.”
I smiled at his use of my real name and waved as he walked off.
“Well then.” I sighed, looking at the car in my hand.
“I have one request,” Jamie said, leaning into me.
“What's that?”
“You need to sing the song that reminds you of me.”
I approached Jamie’s dad with caution that night. After talking to Bennett, who was, with no surprise, extremely elated to send tracks to the CEO of the record label, I knew I had to talk to someone about my company. It was a weight on my shoulders I had been able to ignore thanks to Jamie, but fact of the matter was I was avoiding the topic. Her father had shown interest in the company ever since we mentioned how much it was worth. He had brought the topic up a few times, and Jamie was able to divert the conversation. But now I needed to talk to him.
If Clay was serious about coming to Portland to actually put the company for sale, I figured I should talk to a man who has sold his business before. Since my father–and Jacob—were out of the question, Mr. Gaines was my best bet.
I left Jamie at the dinner table with her siblings and nephew as I went to join Mr. Gaines in the living room. I felt myself go stiff, turning into that awkward Elliot that Jamie had mentioned before.Except here, I was awkward Daxton, and I wasn’t quite sure how to act. Do I tell him I’m not actually an architect? Do I tell him why I’m selling? I had no idea how to approach him. Thankfully I didn’t have to speak first, Mr. Gaines took care of that.
“Something on your mind, Daxton?” he asked, setting his glass on the side table next to the chair he had settled on.
I took a deep breath and looked over my shoulder. I could feel Jamie’s eyes on me as I sat on the couch across from her dad. I rested my elbows on my knees, not the most professional stance I could take, but I tried to force myself to relax.
“Yes, sir, I was actually wondering if you could help me with something in regard to my company.”
“Made the decision to sell?” He raised a single eyebrow.
I nodded. “Yes, sir, I think I have. An opportunity was tossed my way today and I don’t want to miss it, but to take it I need to sell the company.”
“This is a company you inherited, correct?”
I took another deep breath. That was two. How many deep breaths would I take during this conversation? “Yes, sir, it was my fathers, I took control . . .”
“After he passed? I’m sorry to hear that Dax . . .”
“No, sir, he’s alive. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a few years ago. He worked until he couldn’t anymore and then I took over. I went to school for business, sir, not for architecture.” I mumbled, almost afraid to tell him the truth. I didn’t have to let the cat out of the bag with Jamie and how I’m “fake dating” her, but at least he could know the truth there.
Narrowing his eyes, he lifted his chin before giving me a slight nod. He hummed. “For someone who’s not an architect, you knew a lot about it.”
“Well, sir.” I chuckled. “I’ve been working with him for three years and showing clients their projects. I work closely with my team and I do enjoy the work, I just . . . I’d rather do something I love, not something that is from nine-to-five.”
“And what's that?”
“I have a band, sir. I’m the lead singer and we may get offered a record deal soon. I love being on the stage more than behind a desk. It’s where I really think I’m meant to be, and . . . the company . . .”
“Is just in the way.” He finished my thought for me.
I looked up at Mr. Gaines through my eyelashes, fearing that his reaction was going to be the same as my dad’s, as Jacobs, but instead, he was smiling. I nodded, looking back down at my feet.
“Have you talked to your family about the desire to sell?” he asked, breaking the awkward silence that sat between us.
I nodded. “Yes, my dad . . . well, he’s not in control of the company anymore. I am . . . solely. My mother accepted and gave me her blessing, and my brother, well, he wasn’t too happy about it, but I think he will live.” I rubbed my palms together. “I decided before this trip I was going to sell. Jamie and I didn’t know how to bring it up to you, but now that my accountant found a broker and is going to travel to help close the finances, it’s getting real . . . and I was hoping . . .”
“I could give you some guidance?”
I met his gaze and gave him a soft nod. “Yes, sir. I’m a fish out of water selling a company. I just want to be on stage. I want this to go smoothly and be stress free and I just . . . I want it to be simple. I don’t want the weight on my shoulders anymore.”
“Selling a company is no easy task.”
