Page 9 of Park Avenue Princess

“Sure enough, just yesterday.”

Addison sighs and shakes her head. “I’m losing all track of time lately, it seems.”

“And it was all Guy’s doing,” Hollis says. “He organized the event and procured the speakers.”

I notice Elodie’s proud smile, making me warm, then notice Addison’s quick glance back to me, surprise in her eyes as she nods in admiration.

I nod in return. “And when one of them had to back out at the last minute, Hollis saved my ass by coming in to take his place.”

“Like I said, happy to do it. How’d the remainder of the event go?”

“Super. Had a lot of great comments and feedback. Even had some volunteers approach me for next year already.”

“That’s great.”

At that moment, Hailey stops next to Hollis who relieves her shoulders of a squirming Ben. “Hey, kiddo! Having fun?”

“Yes!” The adorable little boy turns to me, his light brown hair sticking out everywhere and his blue eyes just as piercing as his mother’s. “Hi! Did you bring me a present?”

“Ben!” Elodie playfully scolds him. “I think you have more than enough presents for twenty little boys.”

Everyone laughs as Ben suddenly shouts it’s time for cake.

“Okay, rascal, let’s dig in!” Hollis carries his son across the room, holding him in that classic way like he’s an airplane flying while Ben makes motors noises in between giggles.

Elodie slings an arm around Hailey as they follow, leaving me with Addison and Peter, who then says he’ll grab drinks for them.

Addison faces me with a genuinely pleasant smile. “So, Guy, I know a bit about you from Hollis, but I want to hear all your secrets.” She loops her arm around mine and laughs. “Talk to me like your talking to your buddies.”

I laugh in return, knowing this is her personality as Hollis had explained. He told me Addison was like a best friend, a bud, and he couldn’t have found a better business partner.

We make our way over to the table holding the cake with a giant number four on it and Ben sitting at one end with a crown on his head. Everyone sings the happy birthday song, Ben blows out the candle, and Elodie proceeds to cut and dish out the cake. I happily accept a plate and begin to spill my story to Addison.

“I grew up in Queens, same neighborhood as Elodie. My dad came from a humble family. He wasn’t fortunate enough to go to college but was damn smart. Became a property manager before working his way into real estate, eventually becoming a developer. My mom always had a love of books and became a librarian. In my senior year, he moved us out of Queens and into Manhattan. Had to be among the elite where he thought he belonged.” I try to keep my voice neutral, but Addison’s bound to detect the hint of sarcasm. I’m not shy about speaking my mind.

“But you didn’t have the same opinion as him, as evidenced by you returning to Queens for college.”

“Oh, I did one better. I joined the Marines two days after my eighteenth birthday. Spent four years in service as a supply clerk.”

Addison sputters a laugh. “Sorry, sorry.” She clears her throat. “Damn, I like your spirit, but why not something that would’ve been a better use of your brains? I mean, I’m not trying to demean supply clerks. They’re very necessary.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, well, I wanted to learn from the ground up. I may have been a smart kid, but I was just a kid. My time in service taught me a lot more about discipline and teamwork. I’m not saying it was all perfect. Also taught me a bit about waste and ways to better utilize time and budget.

“Anyhow, my dad was, well, I’d like to think he’s still is a good man, just forgot his roots, his humble background. He thinks he’s king shit when it comes to his business, and yeah, I guess he is, but he’s turned into a controlling snob. Wanted to dictate my path. First with the best college then by me following in his footsteps. Not as an equal partner, mind you, working side-by-side, making my own share of decisions. No, he made it clear he’d call the shots until his last breath.”

“And you wanted none of that.”

“Hell, no. I wanted my own path. After the Marines, I got my degree in Economics and Finance while also learning about real estate development as well and dabbling in civil engineering.”

“Dabbling in civil engineering,” Addison laughs. “I love it. You must be wicked smaht,” she teases, exaggerating with that typical Boston accent.

I shrug. “I love having a well-rounded knowledge base. As for my father’s business, I honestly have no desire to work for, with, or take over. There are better qualified people to do so and whowantto do so.” I take a few bites of the forgotten cake in my hand, as does Addison. Others around us continue to laugh and play with Ben, but the two of us are caught up in our conversation, drowning out their revelry.

“From what I hear, your father is a shrewd businessman with far-reaching investments.”

“True.”

“And your mom?”

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