Then You Happened (18 page)

Chapter 31

Sierra

I scoured the bar and couldn’t find any Baileys. Shit. Shit. Shit. I went through each bottle and even all the travel-size bottles were gone. Damn it. I drank too much. I walked over to the door, opened it, and looked at Sasha.

“Can you come in here for a minute?”

“Sure,” she said as she got up from her seat. “Is something wrong?”

“If you consider my coffee liquor gone, something being wrong, then yes. Your number one job working for me is to make sure my bar is stocked at all times.”

“Sierra, I just stocked it last week. There’s no way you went through that already.”

“Oh,” I said as I twisted up my face and looked up.

“Hold on,” she said as she left the office.

A few moments later, she came back in with a pint of Kahlua. “This is the emergency stash I keep hidden away.”

“I love you and you’re getting a raise.” I smiled as I took it from her and poured half coffee and half Kahlua in my travel mug.

“Good luck with the board,” she said.

“You should be wishing them luck.” I winked as I walked out and over to the boardroom.

Kirsty was placing the booklets I had her make yesterday at each member’s place. As I walked in, my phone beeped with a text from Cameron.

“Fierce. Good luck.”

“Thank you. Would you like their numbers so you can wish them luck?”

“That’s my girl.”

I read that last text and a funny feeling erupted in my stomach. Then it got worse as the board members strolled in one by one. Walking proud, holding their Styrofoam cups in their hands and file folders under their arms. Preparing themselves to launch their attack on me and the integrity of my company.

“Good morning, gentlemen,” I said as I took a long sip of my coffee. “Please have a seat.”

I took my seat at the head of the table and Kirsty took hers to the left of me. I pushed the intercom button on the phone and asked Sasha to join us with her notepad and pen.

“Sierra,” William spoke. “The reason we called this meeting is because we’re concerned about your—” He cleared this throat. “Your mental stability and how it’s going to affect this company.”

As I sat there, I stared at him with a smile plastered across my face and my hands folded neatly and resting on the table.

“We weren’t happy seeing your picture all over the front page of the newspaper. You attacked that man.”

“And that’s not how a CEO represents their company,” Julian spoke.

I looked down along the table at the twelve men that sat before me. I studied them as they all agreed with each other, nodding their heads like a bunch of Boy Scouts playing Follow the Leader.

“We’re concerned that your reputation is going to become the downfall of this company and we can’t have that. We want to make
a suggestion to you,” Bill spoke.

I picked up my cup and took the last sip of coffee. “What’s your suggestion, gentlemen?” I asked in a polite manner.

“We think you should take some time off and go seek some help. Maybe go to one of those Zen retreats or something,” Doug said. “We can appoint an interim CEO until you get back. We were thinking maybe a six-month hiatus would be good for you.”

THE. NERVE. OF. THESE. FUCKERS. I looked over at Kirsty and she smiled at me. Not her bright and cute smile, but her evil smile. The show was about to start.

I smiled as I got up from my seat and walked around the table in a complete circle before I singled out each member personally.

“Gentlemen, first of all, he’s no man. He’s a mere boy. A boy with tiny little balls. A boy on whom I took out my three years of anger because, after a seven-year relationship, he called me on the phone from wherever the hell he was and said he was never coming back. So, excuse me if I was feeling a little hurt. Did I mention he did it through a voicemail?”

Once I reached my seat, I took the pile of file folders from Kirsty. “Before I go over these files, I would like you all to take a look at the numbers and profits for the last quarter. Numbers are up over sixty percent. It must be my inner crazy that did that.” I smiled.

“Sierra, this doesn’t—”

“Ah, William,” I interrupted. “Your file just happens to be the first on top,” I said as I threw it down in front of him and leaned in closer. “How’s your son doing at Yale?”

“Have you been drinking? I swear I smell alcohol on your breath,” he said.

“Of course not. I barely drink at all. I really can’t stand the taste of alcohol. What you’re smelling is the Kahlua-flavored coffee that Sasha just bought down the street at The Beanery. She can make you a cup if you’d like.”

“No, that’s all right.”

“Now, back to your son. How does he like Yale?”

“He loves it and he’s doing well. Why are you asking?”

I walked around to the other side of the table. “Is he doing well, William? Because word on the street is he’s struggling. I wonder why that would be. You have to be uber smart even to be considered a potential candidate for Yale, and your son is uber smart, right? I mean with his 4.0 average, which really was a 3.1 until you had his transcripts doctored, along with his ACT scores. I wonder how Yale would feel about that,” I said with a twisted face.

His face was turning red as he opened the file and saw the proof sitting in front of him. “You can have that file. I have a few more copies.” I smiled.

The room was dead silent. You could hear a pin drop on the carpet if you listened close enough. Next, it was Julian’s turn. I walked over and threw his file folder in front of him.

“How’s your wife, Julian? Does she know anything about the hundreds of thousands of dollars you owe in back taxes? How’s that sporty little red Porsche of yours? Still hiding it in that storage facility so she won’t find out about it? Oh, and how’s that friend of yours doing? What’s her name?” I asked as I brought my finger to my lip.

“Alyssa,” Kirsty replied.

“Ah, yes. Alyssa. She’s how old again?”

“Eighteen,” Kirsty said.

“Yes, that’s right. I bet little eighteen-year-old Alyssa loves that red Porsche. In fact, I do believe there’s a picture of the two of you kissing in it.”

“Damn you, Sierra. That’s enough,” Julian yelled as he slammed his fists down on the table.

“Calm yourself, Julian. That’s the only warning you’re going to get. Now, moving on to you, Bill.” I smiled as I put down his folder. “How’s your divorce going? Does your wife know about the several accounts you have hiding over in the Caymans?”

“How do you know about those?” he asked with such a nervousness that I thought he was going to pass out.

“I know everything.” I smiled. “The question here is: does she know? I’m sure her attorney would love to know about those accounts and think of the life your wife could live having half of that money she’s, by law, entitled to.”

I walked around and threw the folders down in front of the rest of the members. “Let’s see, Doug. You said that I should go seek some help. How’s that sex addiction working for you? Have you looked into therapy for that?”

A look of horror swept over his face as he took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Normally, I wouldn’t give a damn who you sleep with, but I think, correct me if I’m wrong, that hiring a prostitute is illegal in our good old state of California. I’m really shocked because your wife is absolutely gorgeous. But, an illness is an illness and you really should go and get help for yours, Doug.”

When I made it back around to my chair, I took a seat and opened the bottle of water that was sitting in front of me. I took a drink before I said my final words.

“Bottom line, gentlemen. You sit there on your high horses, pointing your crooked little fingers at me because I’m a woman who you think doesn’t deserve to be the CEO of a company her father spent his whole life building. This is my company and how dare you come in here and talk about my behavior. In fact, I should ask each and every one of you in here for your resignation right now. But I’m not going to do that. Ask me why? Come on, ask me why,” I said as I lifted my hands.

“Why, Sierra?” they all said in unison.

“Because, believe it or not, you all do a damn good job, regardless of your personal issues. Just like I do. Profits are at an all-time high. We secured ten new clients in the past three months and we’re growing more and more every day. This company is in my blood and I’ll be damned if I let you fuckers try and take it from me. Are we clear?” I asked as I pointed to William first.

“Yes,” he replied.

I went down the table and pointed to each member as they all had the same answer: yes.

“Now get the hell out of here. But remember this, don’t play with fire because you will always get burned. Oh, and by the way, my attorney has a copy of each of your files. Have a great day, gentlemen.” I winked.

They got up from their chairs and walked out of the room, but not before giving me the evil eye. Sasha got up from her chair and hugged me.

“You were amazing. I’m so proud to call you my boss.”

“Thanks, Sasha. Now you better get back to work.”

Once the boardroom was clear, Kirsty reached over and gave me a hug. “I think that was the best show I’ve ever seen. Did you see the looks on their faces? I think they all shit their pants when you put their files in front of them.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you, Kirsty. Thank you.”

“We make a great team.” She smiled.

“We always have,” I replied.

I went back to my office and sat in my comfy oversized leather chair. I pulled up Cameron’s number and hit call.

“Hey, I was just thinking about you,” he answered. “How did it go?”

“It went well, very well. I think they’ve had a change of heart about me, especially when I threatened to remove them all from the board.”

“Good girl. I never doubted you for a second.”

All I could hear was banging. “What is going on?”

“Your office. That’s what’s going on. I’m taking you to dinner tonight to celebrate. In fact, ask Kirsty and James to join us.”

“You don’t have to do that, Cameron.”

“I know I don’t, Sierra. But I want to. Now, I have to go. There’s work that needs to be done.”

“Bye, Cameron.”

“Bye, Sierra.”

As the day went on and one problem after another arose, Sasha walked into the office, carrying a dozen yellow roses in a beautiful glass vase.

“Look what just arrived for you.”

“They’re beautiful. Who are they from?” I asked.

“I don’t know; read the card that came with them.” She smiled as she handed me the small, sealed envelope.

I picked up my letter opener from the desk and ran it across the top of the envelope. I pulled out the card inside that read:

Congratulations.

Your father would be very proud of you.

I know I am.

Love, Cameron

“Well, who are they from?”

“Cameron. He just congratulated me for a successful meeting today.”

“I like him. I think he’s a great guy. Very normal and down to earth. Unlike some of the others you date.”

“He is a great guy, isn’t he?”

Sasha left and I sat at my desk and stared at the beautiful roses. I picked up my phone and sent Cameron a text message.

“Thank you for the beautiful roses. You shouldn’t have done that.”

“You’re welcome and I wanted to. You deserved them.”

“Thank you, Cameron. You’re a good friend.”

“So are you, Sierra. I’ll see you later.”

As I was in deep thought, Kirsty strolled in.

“Whoa, which suit sent you those beauties?” she asked.

“They aren’t from a suit. They’re from Cameron. He sent them as a congratulations for a successful meeting.”

“I think he’s in love with you, Sierra.”

“He better not be. He knows the rules. Sex only.”

“Pish posh. Are you going to sit there and tell me that you’re not falling for him?”

“Yes, I am. He’s a good friend who is great to have sex with. Nothing more, Kirsty.”

“You’re a fool,” she said as she bent over and took a whiff of the roses.

“Actually, I’m not. I’ll never be a fool again. Life is good the way it is. I don’t need any complications. Oh, by the way, if you have plans for tonight, cancel them. Cameron is taking us and James to dinner.”

Chapter 32

Cameron

I stepped into the shower and washed away all the dirt and dust from work today. I put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and headed back to Sierra’s house. This dinner was probably going to be the most casual dinner she’d ever had. When I walked in, I found her standing in the kitchen with a bottle of water. She was dressed in a pretty and simple designer dress with a pair of designer heels on her feet. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“What’s so funny?” she asked.

“You’re going to want to change into something more casual, like jeans and t-shirt.”

“Are you serious?” she asked.

“Yeah, Sierra. I’m serious.”

“Where are you taking us?”

“It’s a surprise. But trust me, you’ll be more comfortable in jeans.”

“But I look pretty in my dress,” she pouted.

“Indeed you do. Tonight’s dinner is very casual.”

“Great,” she said as she gave me a look and walked upstairs.

As I waited for her, Rosa came in to say goodbye. “Why is Sierra upstairs complaining?” she asked.

“Because I told her she had to change out of her pretty dress and into jeans for dinner.”

Rosa burst into laughter. “Where are you taking her?”

“Danny’s Tacos.”

Her eyes suddenly widened when she heard the name. “That is my favorite place, or truck, I should say. Make sure to have your camera ready. I want to see the look on her face when you take her there. You do know she’s going to be pissed, right?”

“She’ll get over it and she’ll love it. It won’t hurt her not to go to an expensive, fancy restaurant for once.”

“No, it won’t hurt her, but she may just hurt you. You better wear some protection.” She laughed.

Kirsty and James walked in and both were dressed in jeans and
t-shirt. I had called them during the day and told them where we were going, so they were on alert.

“Where’s Sierra?” Kirsty asked.

“Upstairs, changing out of her designer dress. I made her put on jeans.”

“Way to go, Cam. I think you just ruined our night.” She smiled.

A few moments later, Sierra came down and a wide smile graced my face when I saw her in her jeans and a Bebe t-shirt. Then I looked down at her feet and began to shake my head.

“What now?” she asked with irritation.

“No heels. We’re doing a lot of walking, so you need comfortable shoes.”

“I thought we were going to dinner?”

“We are. It just involves a lot of walking.”

“You’re really starting to get on my nerves, Cole,” she said as she stomped out of the kitchen.

I chuckled along with James. Another moment passed and she came down the stairs in her black flats.

“Better, your majesty?”

“Yes. Way better.” I smiled as I kissed her cheek.

I was nervous but excited to introduce her to the best tacos in Los Angeles. When I lived in my apartment, I frequently visited Danny’s Tacos on my way home from work and grabbed a carryout. The four of us hopped in my truck and we headed to eat.

****

Sierra

I sat there, looking out the window, confused, and trying my damnedest to figure out where he was taking me to dinner. We were in Santa Monica now and he parallel parked outside of a dry cleaners.

“We’re having dinner at a dry cleaners?” I asked.

Cameron walked around and opened the door for me. I stepped out and he grabbed my hand. James and Kirsty followed behind.

“Seriously, where are we eating?”

“Why? Are you worried or something?” He smiled.

“A little bit.”

We walked up and stood in a line that was in front of a white food truck. “This is where we’re eating.”

I looked at him in confusion as I looked around. James and Kirsty were behind us, laughing.

“Where? Is this a joke or something?”

I looked straight ahead at the truck and it said
Danny’s Tacos
across the top of it. I started to laugh.

“Okay. You guys are hilarious. Come on now; let’s go the restaurant,” I said as I grabbed Cameron’s hand and began to walk away.

“This is no joke. You are going to love the food here. I promise.” He smiled.

“You’re fucking crazy if you think that I’m eating food from a truck. Oh my God, why would you do this to me?”

“Relax, Sierra. I’m sure it’s good,” Kirsty said.

Cameron leaned over and whispered in my ear. “Trust me. That’s all I ask.”

Trust him.
Those were the last words a spineless, no-balls boy said to me over the phone before he left. I could recall the conversation as if it happened yesterday.

“So you’ll be home when I get back from my trip?” I asked Ryan.

“Yeah, I’ll be waiting for you. Just have a good trip with Kirsty, Sierra, and don’t worry about anything.”

I recalled something in his voice sounded really off.

“Okay, if you say so.”

“Trust me.”

The sad part was that even though I had a bad feeling, I did trust him. Shame on me and I wouldn’t make that mistake again. I didn’t say another word about Danny’s Tacos and it was finally our turn to order. Cameron asked what everyone wanted. What he didn’t know was that I wasn’t eating it. There was no way in hell I was eating food from a truck.

“I’ll have two chicken tacos,” I said. “Do you have any tequila?” I asked with a smile.

“Just beer, ma’am.”

“Beer? You’re a Mexican truck. Tequila is your specialty.”

“Sorry, just beer.”

“Fine, give me a beer,” I said.

Cameron chuckled at me and I didn’t think it was very funny. “Beer and tacos. Way to go, Cameron.”

He put h
is arm around me. “Stop bitching or I’m going to leave your rich ass here.”

“I’ll fire you.”

“Go ahead. Good luck trying to find someone else who will give you great sex and remodel your house for cheap.” He winked.

I si
ghed. I hated when he was right, and I hated that he was starting to sound like Kirsty.

When Danny handed us our beers and bags, we walked over to a nearby park and sat down at a wooden table. Cameron and James opened the bags and handed each of us our food. I took a swig of my beer and set it down.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” Cameron asked.

“In a minute,” I replied with uncertainty.

I looked down at the tacos wrapped in white paper and slowly unwrapped them. I looked at Kirsty, who was chowing down on her
carnita
bowl.

“Sierra, this is absolutely the best,” she said.

“The best,” James said as he tore into his burrito.

I picked up my taco and, against my better judgment, I took a bite. HOLY SHIT. I wasn’t going to admit it, but it was the best taco I’d ever had. I took another bite and then another. Cameron nudged my shoulder.

“You like it, don’t you?” He smiled.

“Maybe.”

“Come on, Sierra.” He playfully nudged me again. “Admit it.”

“Okay, fine. It’s fucking fantastic. Who would’ve thought that tacos from a truck would be so damn good?”

“Do you want to try my burrito?” he asked as he held it out to me.

I wrapped my hands around his as he held it up to my mouth and I took a bite. “I want one,” I said.

“Seriously?” He smiled.

“Yes. That is one fabulous burrito.”

“I’ll be right back, then.”

“I’ll go with you,” James said.

They got up from the table and left. Kirsty looked at me and shook her head.

“Don’t. I mean it.”

They guys came back and Cameron handed me my burrito. “For you, my lady.” He smiled.

There he went again, calling me either “my girl or my lady,” like he was staking a claim on me or something. He told me he was okay with our relationship as it is. I hoped for his sake, he was not changing his mind.

“You should’ve seen Sierra in action today,” Kirsty said with enthusiasm.

“I wish I could’ve. I bet she was great.”

“I may just happen to have a video recalling the events of the day.”

“Kirsty! Tell me you did not record that.”

“Only a portion of it; my battery started to die.”

She pulled her phone from her purse and brought up the video, setting it down in front of Cameron as I ate my burrito. When it was over, he slowly turned his head and looked at me.

“Wow, Sierra. I mean, really; wow. I’m turned on right now.” He smiled.

I slipped my hand over his thigh and to his crotch and, sure enough, he was as hard as a rock. “We can role play later. I’ll be the big bad boss lady and you can be the scheming board member.” I winked.

“Deal.” He smiled.

“Let’s go over to Pacific Park,” James blurted out.

“Sounds like fun. Do you want to?” Cameron asked me.

I look
ed across at Kirsty and she nodded her head yes. I could see the excitement in her eyes, like a kid in a candy store.

“Sure. Sounds like fun,” I said.

We got up, threw our trash away, and began walking back to Cam’s truck. “Aren’t you happy that I made you change into jeans and out of those heels?”

“Of course I am. But you should be the one who’s happy because you’d be carrying me the whole time.”

“You think so? You mean like this?” He smiled as he swooped his arms underneath my legs and picked me up. I laughed and threw my arms around his neck as he carried me to the truck.

We drove to Pacific Park and it was starting to get dark, so the whole park was lit up with bright lights. The main attraction was the Pacific Wheel that was lit up so bright that it almost hurt your eyes to look at it. We walked past the games and I stopped when I saw a large white cat that looked exactly like Duchess from
The Aristocats
.

“I need to have that cat,” I said as I walked over to the ring toss and handed the guy some money.

I threw the rings and no luck. I sucked, so I whipped out some more money and handed it to him.

“Let’s try this again.” I smiled.

I threw the two rings and nothing. “Babe, you’re throwing it wrong,” Cameron said.

“Okay, Mr. Smarty. Be my guest,” I said as I handed him the ring.

He threw it and that baby landed on top of the glass bottle. “Woo hoo!” I yelled as I kissed Cameron’s cheek and the man handed me the white cat.

I squeezed it
like a little kid and Cameron hooked his arm around me. “Why that cat?” he asked.

“This is Duchess from
The Aristocats
. It was my favorite Disney cartoon. I’ve always wanted a real cat like this, but my mom hates cats and my dad always said it wasn’t the right time.”

“Why didn’t you get one when you moved into your own place?”

“I don’t know. I guess after a while, I didn’t think about it anymore.”

We saw James and Kirsty at the tub toss and Kirsty landed a ball in the bucket and won a stuffed animal. She and James started kissing and I turned my head.

“What’s wrong?” Cameron asked.

“I just can’t get used to seeing them kissing. They’re my two best friends and it’s weird for me, especially with the age difference.”

“James is really cool and he likes her a lot. He told me. He said he had for a long time, but was afraid of you.”

“That’s nice. So I am scary,” I said.

“Sometimes.” Cameron winked. “Come on; let’s go on the Pacific Wheel. Hopefully, we’ll get stuck on top and we can enjoy the beautiful view.”

“You and your views drive me nuts.” I smiled.

“I can’t help it that I enjoy beautiful views.”