Without a Hitch(8)

“Tilly, this is just recon. You’re collecting information. You’ve done this a thousand times by my side. I have full confidence in you.” He speaks to me like I’m a little sister about to head off to summer camp for the first time.

“Thanks,” I grumble.

“Hey.” He waits until I peer up at the screen again. “I wouldn’t send you out alone if I didn’t know you could do it, so believe in yourself. Until we get this mess sorted out, you’re the only one I trust to get things done. I’m heading to my brother’s place in Vermont, but I’ll be available 24/7 via phone.”

“I know. I still can’t believe this is happening.”

“When you’re successful, Tilly, people will always try to hit you where it hurts. I got caught with my pants down. Literally.” He rolls his eyes, but I see pain there too. “And now we have to sift through this PR nightmare. Maybe I should be more of an asshole like Lochlan. At least no one bothers him.”

Ah, yes. His mysterious friend, Lochlan. Hotelier and rumored curmudgeon. I don’t understand how they’re friends if the rumors are true.

“What’s that look for?” Colton asks with a smirk that could rival any of my teenage obsession’s posters that lined my childhood bedroom.

“I just don’t get it. Assistants talk, you know? Your friend has a reputation for being a miserable jerk.” I clamp my lips shut. Colton and I may have a different kind of relationship, but he’s still my boss.

His hearty laughter revives my heartbeat to a steady rhythm again.

“He does. And he is, but he’s a good friend. It might be different if I had a vagina, but he’s a good guy at heart.”

“Why would it be different if you had a vagina?” I can’t help it. I laugh.

“Lochlan lives his life like Cupid is the boogeyman. Women are drawn to him. He’s a wealthy, pretty face, but he views love and marriage as a prison sentence. If you have a vagina, he’s either going to screw you or shut you down.” I scrunch my nose up, and he laughs again. “I didn’t say his thinking was right, but Loch doesn’t believe in fairytales. Not anymore anyway. As long as I’ve known him, he’s been a skeptical, broody bastard. But he's become nearly unbearable in the last couple of years.”

“That’s really sad.”

He nods at the screen. “It is, but maybe if I were more like him, there wouldn’t be photographs of my naked ass all over the tabloids right now.”

Poor Colton. I do feel bad for him. He doesn’t have a malicious bone in his body, but someone has been selling stories to every gossip column in the world, and he’s had to go on administrative leave to protect their company.

“What are you doing tonight?”

I frown because I know he’s digging for information. Ever since I let it slip that I was making my dream of running my own business a reality, he’s been relentless. I haven’t given him or Preston any details because it’s just a dream right now. My blog is taking off, but it’s not a business per se. Plus, the second I tell either of them, they’ll step in to make my dreams a reality I didn’t work for. I need to work for it. Emory gave up so much to make sure my other two sisters and I had everything we needed. It’s my turn to prove to her and myself that I can stand on my own.

Dropping my chin into my palms, I stare at him. “I’m in the bar right now. I’ll have dinner, work on my business plan, then go to bed.”

“And where are you on your business plan? What steps have you taken?”

“The right ones,” I hedge with a smile.

“Jesus, Tilly. You’re so stubborn. We’ve always known you won’t be my assistant forever. You’re too talented for that, but why must you venture out on your own? We just want to help, you know?”

“I do know, and I appreciate it. But when you grow up learning how to survive, not thrive, at some point, you have to stop simply surviving and make your own path.”

Colton grins, causing his kind eyes to crinkle at the corners.

I don’t want to admit to these billionaires that I’m scared to make the leap. Everyone in my life is so dedicated, so motivated. It’s embarrassing to admit I feel lost. I’ve always been better at existing in the background, helping everyone else find their dreams. Chasing my own is terrifying.

“Okay, well, you know where to find me if you change your mind. While I’m out on leave, you won’t have much to do unless assignments like this one come up. Take this time to really figure out what you need. If you can’t make it happen on your own, there’s no shame in asking us for help. Even if it’s just for advice. We’re family, and family helps one another.”

“I know. Thanks, Colt.”

“No worries. Tomorrow, just stick to the outline I gave you, and you’ll do great. Oh, and if you mess up, it’s only ten million we’ll lose out on.”

My drink sprays from my nose. “Ten million?” I splutter, trying to wipe the burning sensation from my nostrils.

He smirks like he did it on purpose. “Yup, just ten million. It’s a drop in the bucket to us.”

“Right. Billionaires and all.” I can’t contain my eye roll, and he chuckles.

“That’s right. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. I believe in you. You should try it sometime.” His signature grin is on full display.