Page 140 of Mr. Aster
My jet landed in New York the next day, and I woke up to a text from Titus saying that he had closed the deal that morning. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the bastard’s natural talent of charming everyone from women to family business owners. It must’ve been those goddamn eyes that everyone seemed mesmerized by each time the guy blinked.
I was still taken aback that Titus had met Darcy and even more unpleasantly surprised that they’d had adate,but I was also happy about it. If it had not been for my conversation with Titus, I wouldn’t have been landing in New York now. I had to do whatever it took to get Darcy back, primarily setting aside my preconceived notions that I knew what was best for her.
Once in my car, I dialed Jim because he was my best bet at getting information on Darcy’s whereabouts.
“Aster,” he answered. “What can I do for you?”
“Oh, are we back to business associates again, Mitchell?”
“I’m not the one who decided that. You are, remember?” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “What’s going on?”
It was almost like he knew it was a matter of time before I came crawling back, begging for Darcy.
“I’m curious if Darcy has been in contact with you. I need to speak with her.”
“Last I checked, she didn’t change her number,” Jim said.
“Last I checked, I skipped town on the woman and have been out of contact since. I don’t want to call her out of the blue. I owe her more than that to make things right.”
“I see,” he said. “So, is it safe to assume that if I give you her location, you’re going to ride up on your white horse and give her the storybook happy ending you think all women dream about?”
“You know Darcy well enough to know that if I tried to pull ahappily ever afterstunt on her, she’d probably punch me in the throat and walk away.”
I heard him softly laugh, enjoying my uncomfortable situation.
“You’re prepared for hernotto take you back, correct?”
“What have I to lose if I’ve already lost her, man?” I said, feeling a pang in my heart at Jim’s pragmatic response.
“I’m glad your head is in the right place,” he answered. “I don’t say that because she’s upset anymore, or perhapsheartbrokenis the better word,” he paused and exhaled. “It’s just that she’s worked hard to get where she is now. She’s happy again.”
“Have you seen her lately?”
“Avery and Darcy grew much closer after you disappeared,” he said, “and since she’s moved to Mexico, and I’ve invested with the Hawk brothers in a resort close to where she lives, it’s become my family’s new vacation destination.”
I half smiled, but I needed Jim to be straight and direct like always. This roundabout way of discussing things was annoying me. I just wanted answers.
“So that means you’ve seen her?” I said, trying to keep the fluff he was bringing into my inquiries out of this.
“Yes. She’s made a good life for herself in a short time living there. I only say this to warn you that it will take some effort and work on your part if you want her back. She’s living for happiness, and it’s easy to see that nothing tempts her. Not even you, groveling for a second chance.”
“I’m happy that she’s happy,” I said, concerned that my sudden appearance might ruin things for her.
“If you go at things from that angle, you might have a chance,” Jim said. “I’ve got an appointment walking in with Spence right now, so I need to jump off this call, but just keep what I said in mind. Maybe just go at things from a friendship standpoint since that wasn’t something either of you shared before you fell head-over-heels in such a short time,” he advised. “Give me an hour, and I’ll text her job location to you. I’d advise booking a scuba excursion with her, if you get what I’m saying?”
“So, book a dive with her instead of showing up at her front door?”
“Exactly, and give her a big tip for the time she’s already wasted on your ass,” he chuckled. “Give me an hour, and I’ll get the info over to you.”
“It’s a shame money doesn’t tempt her,” I joked.
“Then you better come up with something that does,” he joked, and then we ended the call.
My driver was about four blocks from my penthouse in Manhattan. Since Jim would have Darcy’s info to me within the hour, that gave me the perfect amount of time to get Charlotte packed while the pilots prepared the jet to leave for Mexico after I sent the itinerary.
“Darling,” my mother said as I stepped off the elevator and into my foyer, my driver close behind with my luggage. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine,” I said with confusion. “Why are you here?”
