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“What are y’all doing here?” I look past them at the darkened office. Everyone went home hours ago.
“We need to talk.” Claire barges in and stops when she hits my desk, leaning in and glaring. “Are you going to make this right?”
“I assume you mean Bizzy?”
“No, you fucking dumbass, I mean world h
unger. Of course I mean Bizzy!” She shoots my mom an apologetic look, which earns her a shrug.
“Yes, I don’t know how, but I am.” I point to the ticket on my desk. “I’ve been planning on flying into Charlotte tomorrow. I need to see her, talk to her, try and explain. I’m walking a very tight rope right now. Bizzy doesn’t need to be in the crossfire.”
“You don’t give her much credit. After all you’ve put her through, you’d think this shit would be over.”
“That’s why I’m treading lightly. I think I finally understand what everyone has been saying. My life is changing. Can I bring her down with me?”
“Crenshaw Bennett,” my mom walks straight to me and puts her hands on my shoulders, “you’ve really taken our conversation out of context. I had no idea you’d shut Lizbeth out. How could you?”
I’m too ashamed to tell her everything I’ve been thinking.
“Honey, tell me this. Do you still love her?”
“So much it hurts.”
“What about your son?”
“More than I ever knew was possible.”
“So tell her. She’s not an idiot, Shaw. She knew this was coming. She tried to explain this, but you were so focused on other things that you ignored her warnings.”
“Well, whatever shit is going through your head needs to get cleared up quick. I don’t like the fact that she’s spending Christmas alone. More than that, things are changing in Charlotte, and if you stand a chance in hell, you’d better clean up your act immediately,” Claire seethes.
“What do you mean?”
“Bizzy was asked to stay.”
My heart sinks, but I know how much she loves her position. It’s the only positive thing she tells me about when we speak. “Maybe it’s for the best. Stay for a little longer. I’ll straighten my shit up here.”
“No, you dimwit asshole! She’s been given an offer to stay, as in permanently!”
My heart starts to race, and I fight to clear the spots clouding my vision.
“Bullfuckingshit! She’s not leaving Miami! There’s no way she’s staying in Charlotte!”
“Well, stop being a pansy ass and go get her. I’ll never, ever forgive you if she stays up there.”
“You don’t have to worry. I’ll have her ass back in Miami if I have to drag her kicking and screaming!” I gather my laptop and barely hear the women through the roaring in my head.
Their chatter is ridiculous, and I snap back to reality.
The Shaw Bennett of the last month disappears when faced with losing the love of my life. I pick up the phone to call Gail then remember it’s Christmas Eve and I really am a bastard. Driving to Charlotte will take too long.
“Gail’s already approved the company jet, and it’s waiting.” Mom giggles through her excitement, reading my mind.
“Great.”
“You need to go.” Claire’s still angry.
So I do the only thing I know to try and get in her good graces. I dig the ring box out of my pocket and toss it to her. She catches it easily and pops it open, and her eyes grow wide then focus on me.
