Her jaw fell open. “Wait a second, your mother commit—?”
I held up my hand. “If you need to leave, take the car. I’ve got some things I want to check up on with the yachts anyway. But, if you aren’t leaving, follow me. There’s still much for you to learn.”
I had no idea why in the world I was attempting to sympathize with this woman when I knew damn good and well I couldn’t. For some reason, though, my gut tried. My heart tried. Hell, my fucking soul tried. I didn’t like where the conversation was headed, though. I didn’t like talking about my childhood, so I wasn’t sure what prompted me to bring it up in the first place.
So, with my hands swinging at my sides, I started toward one of the rental yachts.
Before I heard Leslie rush up behind me in her heels. “How many yachts do you have to rent out?”
I drew in a deep breath of the salty ocean air. “About half the marina.”
“You’re kidding.”
I shook my head. “Nope.”
“Half of these hummers are yours?”
I grinned at her choice of words. “They are, yes.”
“Do you have multiple businesses? Or just the yacht and the PR stuff?”
I darted over toward a black and red yacht that people were always willing to shell out money to rent. “I’ve got multiple little things I dip my hands into that don’t bring me much money. Those small things are what keep me sane when the yacht rentals and the PR firm get out of control.”
“Will I be dealing with any of those smaller businesses?”
“In time. But for now, you have your hands full. By the way, what are your dinner plans?” I stopped abruptly and gazed down at her, and she almost ran into me.
Almost, at least.
“Uh, well. Since Aurora isn’t feeling very well, I’ll probably just go home and make us up some soup,” she said.
I nodded. “I’ll need you for a business dinner before you head out if you aren’t leaving to tend to your daughter.”
She crooked an eyebrow. “A business dinner? What for?”
I blinked. “For business, of course. Don’t worry, the company card will be utilized for something like this.”
She took a step back, almost as if she were on the defense. “Did you always take your prior secretaries out for ‘business dinners?’”
I didn’t like her use of quotes. “Yes. Usually, every Monday and Friday evening. Why? Is that an issue?”
Her face almost seemed deflated. “Oh. Well, I’ll have to text Suri—”
I waved my hand in the air. “Text whomever you need to. We have much to discuss over dinner, though, so I hope you’ll find a way to make it.”
After checking out the yacht and making sure my newly hired cleaning crew had done a job fit for my reputation, I came back to find Leslie still standing there. I smirked to myself as I beckoned for my driver to pull up, and together we made our way toward my favorite dinner spot.
A surf-and-turf restaurant right on the edge of the ocean.
“What does this place serve?” Leslie asked as we pulled up.
I pointed. “Just pull us up to the front, Daveed, and you can head home for the evening. Leslie and I will catch cabs home.”
My driver spoke. “Are you sure, Mr. Cataline?”
I nodded. “It’s your daughter’s birthday tomorrow, go home and enjoy it.”
“That’s sweet of you,” Leslie said.
