This is an unexpected surprise.
Chapter 3
Lindsey
I don’t hear a word Cora is saying about the new game idea as I watch Gibson and Mary wander off together. The buzz of the shots simmers through me, at least I think that’s what I’m feeling, because now I’m flushed and feeling really warm all over.
It was easy to sip on a drink with everyone. I think Peter and Cora caught on to the fact that I wasn't throwing them back at the same rate as everyone else. When shots came into play, I couldn’t fake those.
For a brief moment, I’d gotten lost in the games, and they were actually working. As silly as it looked and sounded, I was getting to know people, and everyone was relaxing. The more time we spent together, the more I felt like I fit. Then again, we haven't been talking much business or anything that went over my head.
Then there was Gibson. He was sobering and what felt like a knock right back to reality.
When I look back, I see him glancing over his shoulder at me. His eyes lock with mine for a brief moment before Mary says something that snags his attention. I can’t tell if he’s irritated, but he didn’t look like he was okay with the knowledge of my brother's departure from the company.
“I know,” Cora says, plopping down in the seat next to mine. “He’s more handsome in person.”
When I look back to where he was standing, I realize he and Mary are gone. Handsome? That was putting it mildly. He’s a mountain in a suit. Short dark hair with a dark gaze to match. His suit was expensive but functional. No extra flair or a need to draw attention to himself. He had a strong and steady vibe to him, and in the brief encounter I could tell he’s most likely a man that gets to the point. He was irritated he had to be here to begin with and I’d gone and pushed him right over the edge.
“Who is he?”
Cora is the bubbly one of the group. She reminds me a little of the twins, but that might be because she’s about their age and I’m missing them a lot lately. She also doesn't have much of a filter. Allison and Amber don’t have a single one between the two of them. They could be a little quieter apart, but together they’re hell on wheels.
“Gibson Fox started off owning a few warehouses that helped relieve some of the shipping demands in the city. He grew from three warehouses to thousands. Then he built software that helped them be more efficient. After that he invented that robot thing that can make deliveries too and something with drones. I thought he’d be a lot older.” She scrunches her nose.
I’ve noticed she does this a lot when she’s thinking. Cora is head of human resources, and I thought she was a little young herself for the job. Then I watched her work the room and saw she could strike up a conversation with even the most introverted person in the vicinity.
“I guess Darian is young, too, for all he’s done,” she says, then nods, agreeing with her own conclusion. “A lot of companies have been trying to buy him out. It’s pretty cool your brother snagged him up. Why haven't I gotten the paperwork yet?” She mumbles the last part to herself.
I know of the name Fox because I’d read an article a year ago about the robot. I remember telling my brother about it and how I thought it was interesting. I guess Darian took a deeper look for himself.
For the next few hours, I go through the motions with the group, wondering when Mary and Gibson are going to return. After an early dinner where I forget to eat, I decide to go in search of Mary.
She wouldn't disappear this long unless something was up. To be honest, more than anything I want to know more about this Gibson guy and what role he’s going to play at the company.
In the few moments I’d gotten alone, I searched the internet. The storm was making it extra hard, giving me shit service, but that didn’t really matter because I couldn't find much. I kept hoping to find personal information or social media, but nothing. I suppose I didn't get any social media until recently, and that was to keep up with the twins.
When I finally see Mary in the hallway later, I try not to seem overeager. “Everything okay?” I ask, but her face doesn’t give away anything.
“I think so.” She nods for me to follow her over toward an empty set of chairs. I glance out the window to see the storm pounding down worse than ever, but maybe it only looks that way because the sun is starting to set. I swallow, dreading going up to my room soon. “He was blindsided that Darian stepped away from the company.”
“Does he want to leave?” The insecurities from this morning are coming back.
“I guess he could quit, because we can’t stop that, but I hope he doesn't. We own everything he’s created at this point, but the potential…” Ah, Mary’s favorite word. Potential. She shrugs. “No, I think it’s okay. He’s staying.”
My heart sinks when the overhead lights flash inside the resort, but thankfully they stay on. How am I still scared of storms? I swallow, not wanting to go there.
“Not much of a choice,” I point out. “No one is going anywhere right now.”
“Yes, the storm, but I think he might have other things that are keeping him here as well,” she says as her eyes go over my shoulder. “Sorry, I need to grab Cora really quick.” Mary pops up before I can ask her what she meant. If we need to keep Gibson invested in staying, I want to know everything I can.
If anyone will know about Gibson, it’s my brother. I send him a text, but it doesn't go through and I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. A rumble of thunder has me jumping to my feet to get away from the window I’m sitting next to. I head for the elevator but think better of that idea when I reach it. I spot the stairs and curse because this is going to be a climb.
When I finally make it to my floor, all I want to do is take a long bath, but when I slip my key into the door, the light on the lock blinks red. I can hear the rain and wind beating down outside even from the hallway. I try the key over and over, but it doesn't work. I groan and then lean my forehead against the door. I don’t want to make that trek downstairs for a new key.
Just as I’m contemplating sleeping in the hallway, the lights above me flicker and go out. This time they don’t come back on, and I close my eyes. This is not happening. Breathe, I remind myself. I’m not a little girl anymore, and I’m in a safe building with lots of people.
“You okay?”
I scream in surprise at the sound of a deep male voice, then spin around to see Gibson in the doorway of the room across from mine.
“Shit, sorry. Didn't mean to scare you, Lindsey.” My name rolls off his lips.
Lightning flashes through the window in the hallway, filling up the space with light for a moment. Hearing his voice gives me that same hot flash I’d gotten the first time I ran into him.
Thunder hits so hard it shakes the whole building, and I do something I’ve never done in my whole life—I rush into a man’s arms.
Chapter 4
Gibson
“It’s okay.” I try to keep my voice even because I can feel the tremble in her arms and back.
“I’m sorry, I…” She tries to push against my chest, but I keep my arms firm.