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"I have a problem, more than one," Joel said tensely. "My senior staff is about to stage a mutiny. My father is in the middle of the uprising. I need to go to New York today."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
Joel ran a hand through his hair, his gaze agitated. "I don't know if I'm going to be able to make this work, Decker. I keep telling myself I can, but maybe I can't."
"Go home and talk to your dad. Maybe he just needs to be reassured. Or perhaps you can come up with a compromise. He is your father. He wants you to be happy."
"I'm not sure that's what he wants," Joel said darkly. "It has always been about his company. That's his real child."
"No, it's not. You're his kid and he might not show it, but he loves you, and he's proud of you."
"I don't feel his pride. When I'm in New York, when I'm in his house, in the building he built, I feel about two feet tall. He looms over me."
"You're not two feet tall. You're not a kid anymore. You're a smart, capable businessman. Don't forget that. And you do a damn good job running his company."
Joel's tension eased at his words. "Thanks for saying that."
As Joel paced around the room, Decker gave him a thoughtful glance. "Is there something else?"
"I heard from Sylvie last night," Joel said. "She wants to talk. I told her we have nothing to talk about, but I know she's going to find out that I'm back in town."
"You don't have to see Sylvie."
"You're right. I don't need to deal with her. I have Chloe." He blew out a breath. "Chloe will be pissed when I miss the brunch."
"Then go to New York tomorrow."
"I can't. They're going to vote on some shit tomorrow. I need to be there for that. Chloe will forgive me, right?"
He shrugged. "I would assume so. She seems pretty understanding."
"I hope so. And I won't be gone that long, two-three days, at the most. It will be fine."
Selfishly, Decker hoped it wouldn't be fine, but that was stupid. Even if Joel and Chloe broke up, it didn't mean he would step in. He was leaving in two months. They might be in the same place now, but Chloe needed someone who would always be in that place, and that wouldn't be him. He just wasn't sure it would be Joel, either.
ChapterFourteen
"I'msorry Joel couldn't make it," Decker told Chloe as he met up with her on the patio at the Firefly Inn, where Lizzie and Justin were serving up mimosas. Chloe had arrived a few minutes earlier with Leo, who had gone off to play with a couple of other kids.
"Me, too," Chloe said shortly, tension in her eyes. "I guess he has a crisis on his hands."
He couldn't tell how angry she was, but there was something simmering behind her calm demeanor, a decided edge to her voice. "I know it was the last thing he wanted to do. He was upset about it."
"I'm sure he was."
He changed the subject. "This inn is nice. How long has Lizzie owned it?"
"Six years now, I think. She's a fantastic innkeeper. She treats her guests like family. You'll see that today. She invited all the guests for brunch, a movie for the kids, and a trivia game for the adults. She loves to throw a party."
"I'm impressed so far. These mimosas have a kick to them."
Chloe smiled. "Personally, I'd rather just have a glass of champagne."
He smiled back at her. "I'd rather just have a beer. But these are good, too." He tapped his glass to hers. "I tried out that Greek restaurant you told me about last night—Atticus. It was good. Not as good as your café, but good."
"Since I don't make Greek food, I'm not in competition with Atticus. It's a completely different dining experience. I also love the owner. Theo is a friend of mine. I'm happy to send him business."
"I met him." He gave me a complimentary dessert when I told him you recommended the restaurant.
