Page 86 of Truth or More Truth
“He doesn’t own one. He just charters one sometimes for longer flights when there’s a group going with him, and I can guarantee he’ll let you tag along.”
Melissa gives me an assessing look. “Jimmie Zane won’t be in the group of people on that plane, will he?”
A snort flies out of me before I can stop it. “No. Diego is a generous man, but he can’t stand Jimmie. He’s taking a few people from his foundation along as a thank you for getting everything up and running these past few months. Unfortunately, Jimmie will be in the suite with us at the game, though. If that makes you change your mind about going, I get it.”
“I can handle Jimmie Zane.”
Now I don’t hide my smile. “I have no doubt about that.”
“Is Ash going to the game?”
Our friend runs the Diego Sanchez Foundation, so it’s a valid question. “No,” I say, “not since he just took a couple weeks off for the wedding and honeymoon.”
Melissa nods. “I should’ve guessed that. Hey, since you met with Jimmie today, does that mean you saw Leslie?”
Ash and Leslie got home from their honeymoon two days ago, and she had to jump right back into the deep end at work thanks to Jimmie’s antics.
“I did. She somehow looked both rested and exhausted at the same time. Have you seen her and Ash yet?”
“No. I wanted to give them time to get settled before bothering them.”
I take her chin between my thumb and forefinger and search her eyes. “You wouldn’t be a bother. Your friends love you like family. I hope you know that.”
She removes my hand from her face and threads our fingers together. “I do. But I’m sure it’s been hectic for them the last couple days. I’m planning to call Leslie after work tomorrow and hopefully get together with her and Wendy this weekend.”
“Good. I’m glad you have them in your life.”
“Me, too.”
“Of course I’ll take your Melissa with me on the plane. I’d do anything for you,hermano,and for my new best bud. Now she and I can be sky-trip buddies.”
Diego was waiting for me when I returned to the suite after driving Melissa home in his car, as I figured he would be. It’s well past midnight, but he’s wide awake and ready to talk.
I clap my hand against my chest. “I thought I was your best bud!”
He guffaws. “Nobody can replace you,Roberto,but I like your lady a lot, too.”
I feel the smile spread across my face, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. “So do I.”
“I can tell. You know what you need to do?”
When most people ask me a question like that, I usually know what they’re about to suggest. Not with Diego. Goodness only knows what’s going to come out of his mouth. “No. Tell me.”
“Drop that Jimmie Zane on his scrawny little?—”
“He’s a professional hockey player, my friend. Nothing about him is scrawny.”
Diego rolls his eyes. “Whatever. You know what I’m talking about. Anyway, drop Jimmie. In fact, drop every one of your clients other than me. Then you can be here all the time and act as my personal servant when you’re not making sweet, sweet love to your lady.”
He laughs at that last part, and I roll my eyes. But the first part of what he said? I’ve been thinking about it ever since Kelli mentioned cutting back on my work during our chat last weekend. In fact, I haven’t thought about much else other than how to make more time for both Melissa and Kelli in my life. The workaholic side of me has been fighting against taking a step back, because it goes against my nature to work less instead of more. But the rest of me wants a break, wants to spend more time with my daughter while she’s still at home, wants to take a real shot at this budding relationship with the first woman I’ve ever missed.
Diego adds, “I’ll even redo my contract with you to give you an extra percent to sweeten the deal. That’ll make up for almost everyone else’s fees combined.”
For Diego, that extra percent is a sacrifice. Not because he’s greedy, but because he’s generous. He wants to make as much money as possible so he can use it to do as much good as possible. So for him to offer to give that money up is a huge deal.
The lump forming in my throat keeps me from immediately replying to his offer, so he continues. “I want you to be happy. Melissa makes you happy. Kelli makes you happy. Jimmie does not. Your other clients do not.” He dramatically sweeps his hands around himself. “I do. So keep me, and let everyone else go. Spend more time with Melissa and with Kelli. Be home moreso you won’t be as worried about Nanette and Kelli when you’re away. Do this for them, but also do it for yourself. You’ve worked your tail off for the past two decades to get to where you are—which is richer and more successful than almost everyone else on Earth. You deserve to spend as much time as possible with the people who make you happy.”
I shoot him a wry grin. “You sure you haven’t been talking to my daughter this week?”
