Page 89 of Hula Girl

He sits in the chair in front of my desk. “Your Ford has to be behind this, right?”

My eyebrows come together in confusion. “Behind what?”

“Girl, please stop hiding things from me! This whole secret love story and engagement is one thing, but to keep pretending—”

“Just tell me what you’re talking about. I’m busy, Tyler.”

He rolls his eyes. “The press release from McAvoy & Associates. The one about their charitable endeavor.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Really? Like Ford didn’t tell you about this? Ford, yourfiancé?”

I sigh and do a quick Google search. It shows me the latest press release detailing a rather extraordinary and ongoing donation to a music organization for underprivileged kids. My eyes fill with tears as I read. This is what Ford did with his shares. This is how he managed to transform something negative—his disdain for being a part of McAvoy & Associates—into something positive. And not just positive, but life altering for kids in need. At the same time, I feel guilty for accusing him of wanting nothing but petty retribution. My heart feels too big in my chest. I press my left hand against it, trying to ease the emotion I’m being overwhelmed by.

“Damn, that ring,” Tyler says with a whistle. “When is the wedding, anyway?”

I look down at the ring. It’s odd how quickly it’s become a part of me.

“I, uh, I don’t know.”

“Well, fear not. Paige and I were talking, and we’ve got tons of ideas for the reception.”

I don’t register what Tyler says. My mind is still stuck on the awful feeling of Ford slipping away. He’ll soon be on a plane to Maui. I have no idea if I’ll ever see him again.

“She’s actually not as awful as you might think,” Tyler continues.

“Who?”

“Paige,” he says with exaggerated patience.

“Oh, okay.”

I look at my computer screen and click through to my calendar. I have multiple meetings throughout the day. But the most important thing I have scheduled is lunch with Randall. This is my opportunity to suggest to him that he step down. I’m going to as gently as possible point out the ways in which he’s lost a step and steer him toward understanding that his time is better spent in the company of his wife and family. That I, and others here at the firm he started, will be good stewards of all that he created.

While I want to be the person to put these things to him as plainly as possible because I believe he’ll take it best from me, I am at the same time tempted to postpone the lunch so that I can run to the airport like some lovesick heroine in aLifetimemovie of the week special. I want to catch Ford before he even makes it through the security line, throw myself into his arms, and tell him he’s right. Wecanfigure out a way to be together. That the universedidput us in the same place. That we’re meant to be with each other.

I’m startled out of this fantasy when Randall walks through my office door. Tyler stands up and stares down at his phone.

“Ah, yes, I have to get going,” he says. “Busy, busy.”

I smirk at him as he backs out of the office with his hands raised in a helpless gesture. He’s never lost his healthy respect—and fear—for Randall like I have.

“Randall, how are you?” I ask.

“Good, good.” he hesitates. “Well, actually, I’m going to have to postpone our lunch.”

I try to keep an impassive expression. “Really?”

“I’m, uh, well, I’m not feeling great. I—I didn’t sleep well. So, I’m going to take some files home and work there. Maybe for the rest of the week.”

He looks pained with this admission. I go to him and wrap my arm through his. “You know what?”

He pats my hand and smiles at me affectionately. “What?”

“I would love nothing more than to help you with those files. And how about I follow you home? I bet Alice wouldn’t mind the company. The three of us can have lunch and catch up.”

I see his face light up at the idea. And that’s all I need right now. I just need to be able to help this man who has done so much for me, who has become so much to me.

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