Richard shook his head in disbelief. “This is amazing, Gavin!”
“It sounds great, but I will have to look over the details and have our international attorneys review it as well,” Mr. Truman mentioned.
I didn’t want to take too much credit, though. “To be honest with you, it was just good luck. We’re banking on their political issues and the poor business decision by the sellers.”
Mr. Truman wanted me to take more credit. “No, Gavin. You should be proud of what you’ve done for this company. The second that Richard suggested you work for us several years ago, I knew I wouldn’t regret the decision, and today I’m reminded of it once again.”
“I agree with him, Gavin. What you've done there is amazing, and if you do go back to close the deal, I am going with you.” Richard picked up the tablet and zoomed in on the villas.
“They’re prime real estate, that’s for sure. It’s the kind of place that I can see myself retiring in one day.”
Mr. Truman wanted to make sure that wouldn’t be in his lifetime, though. “Your retirement better be decades away, Gavin, because you’re staying right here with us. No way do we want to lose you with your remarkable business skills!”
“Of course, sir. It’ll be years before I retire.”
“Well, this is fantastic news. You guys can call it a day, especially since you have the baby shower tonight. Although, I still think it’s kind of weird that you’ll be attending.”
“Dad, I told you how much I want to be involved with this baby. Besides, there’ll be other guys there too, and I want to find out as the same time as Annie if we’re having a boy or a girl. You’ll be going, right, Gavin?” Richard asked.
I agreed that it was a bit odd for men to be attending a baby shower/gender reveal, but I’d never admitted that to my best friend. “Of course! I wouldn’t miss a party with you for the world, Richard.”
Mr. Truman shrugged. “I have to keep reminding myself that I’m from a different generation. I’ve never heard of such a thing as a gender reveal…or whatever the hell you call it. So, please forgive me. Anyhow, you guys have fun tonight.” Before shutting the door behind us he told Richard, “Hey, call me with the verdict when you get home. Your mom and I are eager to know too. And tell Jake to do the same. Okay?”
Richard waved affirmatively at his father before we walked out to our cars together, and, of course, he immediately noticed the scratch on my bumper. “Dude, what the hell happened to your car?”
“I was driving down Main Street, got distracted, and bumped into a car that was backing out. It doesn’t look that bad. I’m pretty sure I could buff that out myself.”
“What did the other driver say? Was there any damage to their car?”
“Nah, just a scratch on her bumper. But she was livid… and also drop-dead beautiful. Picture a gorgeous face that’s surrounded by long, silky red hair and a delicate body. I couldn’t even bring myself to say much of anything because she was so stunning.”
Richard seemed a bit suspicious. “So, is she going to make you pay for the damage, or is something else going on here? I know that look in your eyes, man.” He knew me too well. “I didn’t have time to get the other driver's information. After I got home from Spain earlier this morning, I ended up falling asleep on the couch longer than I’d anticipated. I didn’t have time to say much of anything to her.”
“You know my father by now, man. Neither of us would have been upset about you being a few minutes late, especially if it’s because you were busy talking with a hot chic.”
Richard had a good point, but I prided myself on always being punctual. “It’s alright. I gave her my business card, so the ball is in her court.”
“Hopefully, she calls you, but going forward, don’t ever worry about being late. You deserve to have fun. I mean, you know, you never date anymore.”
I just laughed at Richard and shook my head. “There’s a reason for avoiding women, Richard. I don’t have the same luck that you had in meeting Annie, or with Jake reconnecting with Julianna. I’ve seen the women who are attracted to me, and that’s not my scene.”
“What do you mean?”
I leaned against my car. “They see a rich businessman, someone who can buy them jewelry and take them out to expensive restaurants. I’m telling you, most of the women in the world lack substance. They’re gold diggers who only want a sugar daddy. You know that. You ran into the same situation until Annie came along.”
“You shouldn’t sell yourself short, Gavin. I know the type of women you’re referring to, but they’re the minority.”
I didn’t want to bring it up, but I had to mention his previous relationship. “Need I remind you about your ex-girlfriend, Richard? The one who tried to make you change into someone that you’re not, only to skip town and keep your child a secret from you for so long?”
It was a painful subject that he and I no longer discussed, but I had a good point. His ex-girlfriend, Heather, was the reason he stopped dating altogether.
Richard palmed his hair. “I knew you were going to bring up Heather…and yes, she was definitely a classic bitch. But take a look at Annie and Julianna. I know for a fact that both of them aren’t after the Truman fortune. They love us for who we are, not for what’s in our bank accounts. And that only makes Jake and I love them more and want to spoil them and take care of their every need.”
I thought about what he was saying. “I’m sure you’re right, man. There’s a woman out there for me somewhere, but my life is too busy right now. Dating just seems so exhausting. I hate having to date so many toxic women while telling myself there must be a normal one around the corner. You know what I’m talking about, too.”
Richard walked over and put his hands on my shoulders. “Sometimes, you gotta throw a few rotten apples out to get to the good ones, but it’s worth it in the end.”
5
