Page 92 of The Holidays with Mr. Mitchell
Rather than feeling guilty about having to review the Palisades project before Titus left for Madrid, I arranged for us to take a helicopter to make up for missing out on a ride in one of the luxurious party buses. I knew Avery would enjoy the short flight and seeing my version of the North Pole that Karen had created from the same vantage point as if she had arrived in Santa’s sleigh.
So, everything would fall into place, even if I had last-minute business to attend to before my North Pole party in the San Bernardino mountains.
I glanced at my Rolex, knowing that Alastair should arrive with all three of my girls within the next five minutes at myprivate helipad, where all of the company’s private helicopters were stored and managed by my flight staff and crews.
Titus and I were wrapping up in my office on the top floors. The L.A. skyline stretched behind him like molten glass as the sun dipped low, setting early as always during the winter months. The Palisades resort project glowed on the wall screen, its modern lines slicing into the Pacific like a cinematic statement piece.
“Permits are nearly finalized on the additions we came up with two weeks ago,” Titus said, flipping his tablet toward me. “New construction on those additions will start mid-January. You’ll have your first-look tour before spring.”
I nodded, scanning the numbers. “Palisades is certainly a beast, but you’ve built empires on worse odds.” I glanced up at him, “You’ll make the average person believe they can afford thegoodchampagne.”
He smirked. “Spoken like a man who’s tired of hearing about my resorts that don’t include prices for the average middle-class family.”
“Spoken like a man impressed that you’re skilled at following my vision,” I said. “That all aside, I’m happy to see you make this work, not just for the wealthy, but for anyone who wishes to indulge themselves in the same lavish environment without having to mortgage their homes to do so.”
Titus leaned back, studying me. “Listen to you and your bragging about your visions.”
“Not bragging. It’s exactly why you chose to enter into business with me, good friend,” I smirked. “You preferred my vision as something unique and more of a challenge than anything. However, it’syourvision that’s bringing this to life.”
“Really? Because lately, it’s been James Mitchell andhis visionsthat people are talking aboutwhen they mentionyou," he chuckled. “Good grief, man. You’ve managed to go viraltwice this month over these visions. First, the dead tree rescue debacle, and then losing your wife. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone posts about your company party scheduled for tonight, either.”
“That makes two of us,” I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure I’ll be trending by the time the event starts.”
Titus laughed again, “You replicating the North Pole in the San Bernardino mountains?Dios mio, I’m pretty sure that you’ll be trending under#SantaMitchellsoon enough.”
I exhaled through a laugh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Yeah, well, none of this shit was exactly on my Q4 objectives list.”
“Maybe not, but it’s entertaining,” he said, shaking his head. “Tell me you’re writing all these off as marketing expenses.”
“Of course I am,” I said. “My accountant has a special column labeledAvery’s Christmas Circus.”
Titus laughed, deep and genuine. “Only you would turn a domestic rivalry into a tax deduction.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“Only because I can’t relate, hermano,” he said, setting his tablet aside. “Bachelor life doesn’t come with holiday wars or a wife hijacking my company events.”
“Exactly,” I said, leaning back. “You wouldn’t understand the thrill of this kind of nonsense. The looks on my girls’ faces when they saw my venue last night, or even them making me and Avery Christmas waffles for breakfast?” I smiled at his expression that couldn’t figure out my happiness and fulfillment if he tried. “Or the way Avery pretends she’s not impressed, but lately? The woman has shown me she’s beyond impressed with everything.”
“Is that so?” he smirked.
I nodded, “Thatisso, and that, good friend, is the good stuff. That’s the payoff.”
He studied me for a long moment, eyes narrowing in that way Titus did when he actually respected you. “So, I take it your previous bachelor years are no longer missed?”
“No.” I shook my head, internally shuddering at the thought of life before my girls. “Before Avery, life was all about acquisitions, headlines, and sinful distractions to fill a void I didn’t realize existed before her. Now, it’s complete, wholesome, and I wouldn’t trade a second of it.”
Titus grinned. “You’re a sentimental bastard, Mitchell.”
“I’ve been called worse.”
“Well, I am familiar with the void you mention, but rather than trying to fill it, I prefer to keep my mistresses at a safe distance and use them only when necessary.
“You say that now,” Jim smirked, “but it is only because you’re buried in business transactions that you find yourself comfortable in your lonely, lavish life.”
“Call it whatever you want,” Titus chuckled, “but I assure you…loneliness is thelastword I’d use to describe how I’m living life.”
“Right,” I laughed and stood. “So, will you and this week’s mistress be at tonight’s event?”
