A World To Give - 4

A World To Give

Nelson steps in to help out his company when his twin sister, Rowan,
unexpectedly leaves to take another job. While assuming her identity, he
realizes that there is a lot more to the world than he’d previously known and
he decides to take some chances he never took before.

Nelson discovered a whole new world!

---

Author's Note: Things take a twist in this chapter. I truly hope you are enjoying it! ~Clara.

Image Credit: https://perchance.org/beautiful-people
 
 
Chapter 4
 
“So, are you going to tell him at lunch today?” Melissa asked, as she worked on Nelson’s makeup.

“I am,” he said. “I wish I could think of some way that this might all work out, but I don’t think it’s possible.” He frowned. “It’s a shame. I really like him.”

“Well, maybe if you tell him the truth…”

“What? If I tell him the truth, he’ll overlook the fact that I have a penis, no breasts or a vagina, and we’ll live happily ever after? I don’t think that’s very realistic, do you?”

“I guess not,” Melissa shrugged, “but maybe he’d be ok with it.”

“I doubt it,” Nelson scoffed. “I’m not going to pretend that I’m a great judge of these things, but I didn’t get any sort of a ‘gay vibe’ off of Bill O’Connell.”

“No. Neither did I,” Melissa admitted, putting away her makeup. She stood, went to a nearby chair and picked up a hanger with a fairly run of the mill, nice enough, but nothing special dress. “I pulled this out of Rowan’s closet for you.”

Nelson looked at it critically. “Thank you, but…” he went to the closet and pulled out a dress, turning to show it to Melissa, “… I’m going to wear this.”

Melissa’s eyes opened wide. “Really? That’s pretty flashy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Rowan wear it.”

“I have, and she looked amazing in it – so I will look amazing in it too.”

“And that’s what you want?”

“That’s what I want.” He laid the dress on the bed. “This relationship may be unlikely, maybe even impossible, but I’m going to do everything I possibly can to try to make this guy want me.”

“Who are you?” Melissa laughed. “You are definitely not quiet little Nelson Egan anymore.”

“Damned right,” he said, stepping into the dress. “I’m Nelly Egan, now, and Nelly is a girl who does everything she can to get her man.”
 
 

 
 
“Have you spoken to him today?” Nadine asked.

“No,” Jessie sighed. “I’ve been afraid to call him. I got an earful from Rowan, and she said he was really upset. Crying so hard she could hardly understand what he was saying.”

“Wow. I never saw that coming.”

“Me neither. I didn’t think that Nelson had a romantic bone in his body, and I certainly never expected him to fall for…”

“Ummm… Jess…” Nadine was pointing out of Jessie’s office towards the entrance where someone who looked an awful lot like Rowan Egan strutted into the office wearing a flowing dress that demanded attention. The blouse of it was a silky black material with a notched collar, long sleeves with slightly puffed shoulders and long cuffs. The high-waisted, full length, blousy skirt was a tea-stain color with large black blotches that may or may not have been flowers. Her makeup was well done, as was her hair, and she wore three-inch, black heels that looked very expensive.

“That’s Rowan, right?” Nadine asked.

“It can’t be. She was in London a few hours ago. That has to be Nelson.”

“Geez. Now I know how Dr Frankenstein felt.”

Rowan/Nelson went directly into Nelson’s office.

“It’s Nelson,” Jessie said. “I guess I should go have a chat with him.”

“Do you want me to come with you?”

Jessie sighed. “This is all my responsibility. I should go alone.”

“Ok.”

“What do you mean ‘ok?’ Of course I want you to come with me.”

“Knock, knock,” Jessie said as they arrived at Nelson’s office door. “Can we come in?”

“Of course,” Nelson said.

“Look, Nelson…” Jessie wasn’t quite sure what she wanted to say but knew she needed to say something. “… I’m really sorry that things have taken the turn that they have…”

Nelson held up his hand to stop her. “Look, Jessie, this is a weird situation, I know, but I’m a very different person today than I was yesterday, and I’m really happy about that. I never spoke out at a meeting before, I never went on a date before, and I know this sounds really weird coming from me, I have never, ever had feelings for anyone like I do for Bill before. I never thought I’d feel affection of any kind for anyone, and I certainly never thought I’d fall this hard for a man, but I did. Now, I know the chances of this having a happy ending are really, really slim, but because of all of this, Jessie… I have found parts of me I never knew existed. And for that, I am grateful. Will my heart break if it all falls apart? Oh, yeah. It broke last night when I realized how impossible this whole thing was, but… I think that it might all be worth it anyway, just to know what it’s like to fall in love.”

“I don’t understand,” Jessie said. “A few hours ago, Rowan was all upset because you were inconsolable. Now you seem…”

“Determined,” Nadine finished the sentence for her. “And I get it.”

“You do?” Jessie asked, shocked.

“Sure. Before I met Kris I was married to a nice guy. I thought I loved him and I was happy enough. I never once thought I was gay. I don’t think I even had any gay friends. For three years I was fine with a nice, quiet, married-to-a-nice-guy life. Then, just by chance, I happened to go to a karaoke bar with some friends one night and I saw Kris across the room. That was it. I was hooked and I knew it. Sometimes it happens that way.”

“I never knew that,” Jessie said.

Nadine nodded. “It was a wonderful and very hard time. My husband was a nice guy. He didn’t deserve to have a wife tell him he’d done nothing wrong, but she was leaving him anyway. He deserved better. I’m not proud of that, but I was in love and I had to do what I had to do.”

There was a long silence.

“Wow,” Jessie said at last, and she squeezed Nadine’s hand in support. Looking at Nelson, she said, “Do what you need to do, Nelson. I should never have put you in this situation. So, if this deal falls apart…” she sighed, “so be it.” She shook her head. “What a mess I’ve made.”

“It is a mess, and I feel like a lot of it is my fault, too,” Nelson said, “but I can’t see any way that I end up with Bill that doesn’t involve the deal going forward, and I don’t see any way that I don’t end up with Bill that doesn’t involve the deal getting canceled. So… fingers crossed for all of us.”

Just then, Nelson’s phone rang. “It’s Rowan. I’ll put it on speaker.” He did. “Hi, Ro. Jessie and Nadine are here too. You’re on speaker.”

Rowan sounded tired and frustrated. “A meeting of the minds, huh? That’s good because I’m drawing a blank as to how to proceed here.”

“It’s ok, Ro. I have a plan,” Nelson said.

“You do? Tell me about it.” Nelson had rarely used the nickname ‘Ro’ with his sister. Something was different.

“I’m going to go to lunch with Bill and see if I still feel the same. If I do, then I’m going to figure out a way to tell him the truth.”

Rowan was speechless for a few moments. “Sounds risky all around, Nelly. Are you sure.”

“Ro, this morning you said that we were the two smartest people we know, and I think that’s probably true, and I think we’re smart enough to know that the only way to resolve this is with the truth. So, that’s the solution, right?”

“Yeah,” she sounded defeated and sad. “That’s the solution.” After a pause she asked, “Jess, are ok with this?”

“Yeah… I mean… what’s a couple if hundred million dollars between friends, right?”

“Ok, then…” Rowan sounded concerned. “You know I love you, Nelly, right?”

“I know. I love you, too.” That seemed easier now for some reason.

“Call me if you need me.”

“I will.”
 
 

 
 
When the call ended, Rowan sat and stared at the wall for at least ten minutes before typing an email to her supervisor:
 
 
‘Good afternoon, Simon,
I am sorry to do this, but I must return to the US this weekend to deal with a family issue caused by my abrupt departure this week. I am requesting tomorrow off, and I will be back on Monday. I promise I will not make a habit of this.
Thank you
Rowan’
 
 
Less than two minutes later a response came:
 
 
‘I understand. Safe travels. Back at it Monday, then.
Simon’
 
 

 
 
“Ms Egan, you have a visitor,” Renee, the receptionist, called through on Nelson’s desk phone.

“Send him in.” He looked at Jessie and Nadine, who had hovered near him all morning.

“Are you ready for this?” Jessie asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“You could do it here with us to back you up, if you’d like,” Nadine offered.

“Yeah, but I got all dressed up, so… and besides… this really should be done in private.”

“Ok,” Jessie said. Then she smiled as Bill O’Connell entered the office. “Well, hi there,” she smiled. “Don’t keep her out too long, ok?”

“I’ll try,” he returned the smile, “but I’m not making any promises.

He entered as Jessie and Nadine exited. “Ready?”

“Ready,” Nelson said, goosebumps breaking out all over his body. This man…! Good God he was gorgeous!

“I have a reservation at a steakhouse downtown. They say it’s very good. Not as fancy as the dinner club last night, but… holy moly, look at you,” he said, interrupting himself.

“Am I dressed ok?”

“Ok? Nelly, you’d make Kate Middleton jealous looking that good.”

Nelson smiled. “Thank you. You look very handsome.” And he certainly did. He was wearing a very attractive Irish knit sweater with a V-neck, a crisp collared shirt and a smart tie, atop dress pants and dress shoes.

“Next to you, I look like I’m dressed for gym class,” he smiled. “Ahh, well. Nothing to be done about it now. Shall we?” He offered an arm.

It was a short drive to the restaurant, just a few blocks, really. In warmer weather, it would have been a nice walk. Nelson noticed that they had the same driver as the previous evening, and that Bill called him Andy. He also noticed that Andy referred to Bill as ‘Boss.’

The restaurant was quite nice, certainly not as fancy as the place where they’d dined the evening before, but much nicer than anywhere else Nelson had ever been. They sat and, at Nelson’s request, Bill ordered for both of them.

The wine steward brought a bottle of a red wine to the table. He poured a small amount in a glass for Bill’s approval. He sniffed it, then tasted it, then nodded. Two glasses were poured and they were alone.

“So,” Bill started, “I had a great time last night. I hope you did too.”

“I did.”

“Good. Good. Look, Nell, time’s a little tight here, because I have to fly out tonight, but I’d like us to get to know as much about each other as possible before I have to leave, ok?”

Nelson nodded. “I’d like that too.” Bill had called him ‘Nell.’ He really liked that. ‘Nell.’

At Nelson’s insistence, Bill went first.

“Ok… I’m thirty-two, which I know is older than you, but I’m hoping we can get past that. Like I told you last night, I didn’t know my father. My mom raised me by herself in a tiny house in a tiny town in Ohio. She was a schoolteacher and forced me to be a reasonably good student. I got a scholarship to Ohio State, then went to Yale Business School and got incredibly lucky right out of college. I started an investment company that did well, then did better and better and that’s how I met you.”

“I keep a small apartment in Manhattan, I have a condo near my mom in Florida, nice place in Key West and another condo in Seattle, but mostly I live out of a suitcase, which I have come to hate and I want to stop. No matter what, I plan to retire before I turn forty, but I’d be willing to retire earlier if I found the right person to start enjoying life with.”

Nelson was in awe of how casually Bill had rattled off the details of an extraordinary life.

“Questions?” Bill laughed.

“Girlfriends? Relationships?”

Bill shook his head. “None. Never had time. I mean, I’ve had dates, but nothing ever developed. Nell, I thought you were very pretty and funny when we talked online, but from the moment I met you… your energy, your humor, your smile, everything about you is intriguing and I’d really like to pursue this and see where it goes.”

A tear formed in Nelson’s eye. He wiped it quickly away.

“Are you ok?”

“Yeah,” Nelson lied. “I’m fine.”

The soup course arrived.

“Ok,” Bill said, after a few tastes of the soup. “Your turn. Fill in the blanks in your story.”

Nelson put down his spoon and sighed. “Honestly, I told you the bulk of it last night, but I admit I left out a huge item.”

Bill cocked his head a bit and waited.

Nelson looked around. They were in a secluded part of the restaurant, but there were other patrons dining on the far side of the establishment, so this wouldn’t be as private as he’d hoped. There was going to be a scene – that much was obvious.

He hated having to do this.

He took a deep breath. “Bill… I really, really like you, and I wish there was some way that this could all work out, but…” he looked at the most handsome person he’d ever seen, and the only person he’d ever been attracted to and a lump caught in his throat. He swallowed it down. “… but there isn’t.”

Suddenly, Bill looked as if he’d been hit by a bus. It took a moment or two for him to regroup. “There isn’t? Why? Are you married or something?”

Nelson shook his head. “Bill, I swear to you, I have never, ever had feelings for anyone before I met you. My life has always been numbers. No beauty, no fun, no… anything… just numbers. Yesterday, when you walked into the office… it was like a bomb went off inside me. Bill… honest to God, I’m so deeply in love with you, and I know that’s crazy, because I know we just met and that when I tell you the truth, you’re going to walk out that door and forget about me.”

“I doubt that,” Bill half-laughed. “I mean, when someone says something like that to you, chances are you’re not going to forget that person.” He waited patiently, but Nelson remained quiet. “Just say it, Nell. It can’t be all that bad.”

The server arrived, but Bill waived him away.

Nelson took another breath and steeled himself. “Remember that picture of my family you saw?”

“Yeah. In your apartment. You said it was taken on Cape Cod.”

“Right… Well, the little girl in that picture… that wasn’t me. That was my sister. Her name is Rowan. That was her apartment we were in.”

‘Ok…” Bill waited. ‘So…”

“So, I was the little boy in that picture.”

‘Ok… So, I am thoroughly confused,” Bill admitted, but he remained calm. “Did you, like, have sex reassignment procedures, or start taking hormones? I need more information, Nell – and while we’re at it, why did you pretend to be Rowan? And did I actually speak to Rowan online and on the phone?”

“Yes, you did.” Nelson went on to explain how Rowan got a new job in London, how the firm was afraid of losing Bill’s business and how he, Nelson, was talked into becoming Rowan’s stand-in.

As he finished the server returned. “Sir, your food is getting cold…”

‘Yes,” said Bill. “So is our soup. Take it away and throw away the main course. I’ll pay for it. When we’re ready, I’ll call you over and we’ll get hot soup and and you can prepare the main course again.”

“But sir…”

“Young lady,” Bill interrupted, “I am involved in a very serious and interesting conversation with my friend. Now, please leave us until I call you over again. If we’re taking up space that you need for other customers, I’ll pay for that, too. Now… some privacy, please.”

‘My friend.’ Bill had said ‘My friend’ he didn’t even seem upset. Just very interested.

“Please, continue,” he said to Nelson.

Nelson was shocked. “You’re not angry or upset?”

“About what? Nell, since we met yesterday, I thought you were the most interesting person I’d ever met, and now I find out that you’re a thousand times more interesting than I thought. Go on.”

Nelson was relieved, to say the very least. “Well, that’s really about it, except that yesterday morning I met you and I can’t stop thinking about you. Look, I know you’re rich and all that, but that has nothing to do with it, Bill. You could have walked in to deliver sandwiches, and I would have fallen in love with you, honest.”

“Wow,” Bill laughed, “and you thought I had an interesting story to tell. So… now that I know your story.” He smiled a bit. “This not going to impact my deal with Global, by the way. That’s business and Global is a good company. But, now that I know the truth, are you going to go back to being Nelson, or is Nelly here to stay?”

Nelson laughed. “I made that decision this morning. Nelson Egan is gone. Nelly… no… I’ve never loved that name. Rowan used it to tease me. Nelly is gone too. Nell… Bill, when you call me ‘Nell,’ it’s like… like I’m a whole new person and I love it. I love how it sounds when you say it and I love how I feel when I hear it. Nell is here to stay.”

Bill smiled, “I think that’s wonderful. I like Nell, too. I like Nell quite a bit, actually.”

He motioned to the server, who brought new cups of soup. As they ate, Bill asked, “So do you plan to pursue becoming a woman?”

Nell shrugged. “I don’t think so, at least not right now. I know it’s expensive and involves a lot of commitment, and this is all new to me. I didn’t even know I was gay until about twenty-six hours ago. I think I’m a gay man who just wants to present as a woman. Does that sound ok?”

“Fine with me,” Bill smiled.

The soup was delicious, but Nell was uncertain as to what it was. Slightly fishy, but spicy, too. He really liked it.

When dinner arrived, Nell had to ask, “What is this?”

“What the gentleman ordered for you, Miss. Soy Ginger Chilean Sea Bass.”

“Thank you,” Nell smiled, then, as the server left, said to Bill, “To be honest, I’ve only been to a few sit-down restaurants in my whole life. This food is all amazing.”

“No money for extras, huh? Same for us. Pizza was a big deal.”

“Doctored ramen noodles and whatever we got from the food-bank, but we got by until Rowan and I started making money. I think she’s more money driven than me. I save a lot – almost everything, really. She invests, frets over things, always wants the best, is driven to succeed. I got her in at Global and hoped we’d be together there forever, but she saw that opportunity in London and felt she had to take it. No challenge is too small for Rowan.”

‘You don’t begrudge her that, do you?”

“I don’t know. I did, but… if she hadn’t gone, I wouldn’t have met you.”

Bill swallowed a bite and sipped some wine. “Getting back to that… I’d really like to explore… us… a bit more fully. If that’s ok with you.”

“Really?” Nell could not suppress a huge smile. “There’s still the possibility of an ‘us,’ even though I’m not a woman?”

Bill shrugged. “Nell, I have had sex a grand total of twice in my life. Both times with women I had no interest in and both times I was drunk. You interest me, Nell. You attract me. You… fascinate me. I’m not saying we should jump into bed together - I’ve never thought of myself as gay, either, but the more I sit here talking with you, the deeper my feelings for you are growing. I think I had a crush on Rowan because I thought she was cute. You’re just as cute as Rowan, but you are a thousand times more attractive. I think I’m falling in love with you, Nell. Now, where that will lead, I can’t say? Will it be sexual, again, I can’t say, but goddamn, girl, you are something and I want you to be a part of my life. Would you like to be?”

The smile on Nell’s face could not have been wider. “Bill, I came here expecting to have to call an Uber to get back to the office. I want nothing more than to be a part of your life and have you be a part of mine. And for the record, the sexual aspect of a relationship is kind of new and scary to me too, so I’d like to take that kind of slow as well.”

Bill grinned and nodded. “Ok. Ok. What are you doing tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow? It’s Friday. I’m working. Why?”

“Fly to Key West and spend the weekend with me. Get out of this gawd awful cold and snow and come enjoy some sunshine on the beach with me. We’ll talk. We’ll have a drink or two. We’ll eat good food. We’ll take it slow and… be a couple. Get to know each other. See how we feel when we’re together. It’ll be great. Please. Come.”

Nell could not believe this was happening. It seemed unreal. He was lightheaded. The goosebumps were back. This was nuts. “I’ll have to talk to Jessie and…”

“Call her now.”

Nell laughed. This was completely outside of his realm of experience. “Ok.”

He pulled out his phone and touched Jessie’s contact. When she picked up, it sounded like she was in mid sentence. “Oh, my God, Nelson, how did he react? Did he yell? Did he hit you? Is the deal off? Should I come get you? Where are you? It’s been over two hours! I’ve been so worried!”

“Jessie, Jessie, calm down. I told Bill everything, and he’s ok with it.”

“He’s ok with it? With what? With you having a penis? With the deal? With what?”

“With everything, Jess. He’s ok with everything.”

“Oh, my God,” she sounded breathless, then spoke to someone else, probably Nadine, “He’s ok with everything.” Then, back into the phone. “That’s… great, Nelson, so… what happens now?”

“That’s why I’m calling. I need tomorrow off.”

“Tomorrow? Honey… sure… why… I mean… are you ok? Do you need someone to be with you tomorrow?”

“No, I’m fine, really, I just need…”

Bill interrupted. “Let me talk to her.”

Nell handed him the phone. “Jessie? Bill O’Connell, here. Look, I need my girlfriend to fly to Key West with me tomorrow, so we can have a few days alone to get to know each other. Does that work for you?”

Back in the office, Jessie stared at Nadine, then said into the phone. “Your… girlfriend… Nell.” She pressed speaker and put the phone on the desk. “You’re flying your girlfriend, Nell, to Key West for the weekend? And you know everything?”

“Of course, I know everything, Jessie. From here on out, Nell and I are going to be honest with each other, and whatever develops from this, none of it is anyone else’s business.”

“Well, yes, of course…”

“I only mention that because I can tell you’ve put me on speaker.”

‘Oh, sorry. I can…”

“No, that’s fine. I think we’re all on the same page, now.”

“Yes, Bill. You two have a great weekend, and…”

‘Oh, darn it, Jessie,” Bill said, smiling at Nell, “it just occurred to me. I might want to take a drive up to Naples and introduce Nell to my mom and she’s got guests this weekend, so let’s say that she’s probably going to be gone the whole week. Now, from what I understand, she has plenty of unused vacation time, am I right?”

“Ummm… yes… Nelson… Nell… he… oh my God, I’m sorry, she… has plenty of vacation time. Whatever Nelson wants… NELL… whatever time Nell wants to use fine. Please tell him how happy we all are for her… oh… I… I’ll get used to it. Sorry.”

“Relax, Jessie,” Bill laughed. “I’m just playing mind games with you. I do want her for the week, though. I hope Global can cope without her. Here’s Nell.” He handed the phone back.

“Hi,” Nell said.

“I cannot believe this!” Jessie said.

“You’re dating a billionaire!” Nadine practically screamed.

Nell was sure Bill heard that because he chuckled. “I guess I am. I’m as surprised as you are.”

“Do you need help packing?” Jessie asked.

“Oh, God, yes!” Nell realized he had no idea how to do that. “I don’t even own a suitcase.”

“Have Bill drop you here when you’re done and we’ll all go get you some good luggage a few things you’ll need. We’ll steal from Rowan for most of it.” Jessie said, thrilled at the prospect of shopping.

“Rowan!” Nadine shouted. “Have you told Rowan?”

“Of course not. There hasn’t been any time. I’ll call her later. I’ll see you soon. Bye.”

The call ended.

“They’re excited,” Nell smiled.

“I could tell,” Bill laughed. “I gather you’ve never flown before?”

“I have not. In fact, that trip to The Cape is the longest car ride I’ve ever take. That was like a two-and-a-half-hour drive. I’ve never been further from home than that.

“Wow,” Bill said. “There’s a lot of world out there, Nell. You need to see some it.”

“I’d like to.”

“Ok, here’s the plan. I still need to fly out tonight. Andy, my driver will stay here. I’ll hire a private jet for you. Andy will pick you up in the morning, we’ll confirm the time you’ll be leaving when the jet is hired. I’ll have Andy call you. I assume we can get something suitable out of Worcester Airport. It’ll take three and a half to four hours to get to Key West, depending on the kind of jet they have available and if they’ll need to refuel. You may even get to the house before I do, but Andy will be with you the whole time. How does that sound?”

“Kind of unbelievable, actually.”

“I really like you, Nell. Maybe this will be great, maybe not, but at least for now, let’s try to enjoy life. I have the keys to the world, Nell. Let me share it all with you.
 
 

 
 
“It’s beautiful!” Nadine said, inspecting the rather pricey luggage.

“It’s pink,” Nell said. “And very bright pink at that.”

“It’s a very tasteful coral,” Nadine corrected, “and it’s not that bright. Besides you’ll spot it on the luggage carousel.”

“I don’t think there will be a carousel involved. He’s booked a private jet for me.”

Both Nadine and Jessie stopped and looked at Nell.

“A private jet?” Jessie asked.

“Uh huh.”

The two women exchanged looks. “Sounds pretty serious,” Jessie said.

“I don’t know,” Nell said. “We’re taking it slow and seeing what happens.”

“Taking it slow?” Nadine laughed. “You’ve known the guy less than two days and you’re going away with him for somewhere between three and ten days and that’s taking it slow?”

“You know what I mean,” Nell said, a little embarrassed. “I like the light green bags. I’m getting those.”

“Ok,” Jessie waved for the salesperson to come help. “Next, we need a swimsuit for you. My sister-in-law had a double mastectomy a few years ago and she got a great suit that made her look just like she did before the surgery. She got it at a store across the mall. Hopefully they have their swim gear out.”

“I can’t reach Rowan,” Nell said, looking at his phone, a little concerned. “I left a message for her to call me as soon as she could.”

“It’s late there, isn’t it?” Nadine asked.

“Only about ten.”

“May I help you, ladies?” The salesperson asked.

“Yes,” Jessie continued without a breath, “my friend will take the sage green set, all the pieces, and she’ll need some of those vacuum bags for getting all the air out of the clothes, you know what I mean?”

“Yes, ma’am.”
 
 

 
 
“Mom, I have never met anyone like Nell. She is just amazing. I think you’ll love her when you meet her.” Bill couldn’t help but gush about his new, and really his first, relationship.

“That’s wonderful, William, but you really need to get a handle on your emotions and not loose your head. You are a very wealthy man and there are a lot of people who would take advantage of your good nature to get a hold of your money and assets. You need to move slowly. Get to know this woman. Make sure she is who she says she is and have her thoroughly vetted before you get too deeply involved.”

“Way to take all the romance out of the moment, mom. Look you know I’m not stupid. I’m not going to jump into anything without knowing exactly what I’m getting into.”

“But you’re spending the weekend with her, William and you don’t even know her.”

“Mom, you know what my schedule is like. If I don’t make some time and take her someplace away from the craziness of my day-to-day, I’ll never get to know her and she’ll slip away. We both want to move slowly. We’re not just jumping into bed together; she’ll be in one of the guest rooms. Mom… I’m getting tired of hustling and not having anything in my life except my company. I’m very proud of it and all that, but… I’m lonely mom, and it’s time for me to slow down a little, get ready to step down as CEO and start enjoying the fruits of my labors.”

His mother huffed a bit. “William… I understand all that, but… just be careful, ok? I mean, I want grandchildren, but I don’t want you to be hurt.”

‘Grandchildren?’ Bill thought. That would be a neat trick. “I’ll be careful, mom, but I need you to be supportive, too.”

“And I will be, William. I will be.”

“Thanks, mom. Just remember, I don’t have any cell service on Key West…”

“Which drives me nuts.”

“…but you can reach me via email. I’ll check it every day.”

“Alright, William. Good luck. Get some rest, and William…”

“Yeah, mom?”

“Use protection.”

“Give it a rest mom. Love you.”

“Love you, too, William.”
 
 

 
 
“Good morning, Ms Egan. All ready to go?” Andy’s smiling face was at the door to Rowan’s apartment. It was eight-forty-five, and he looked eager to get going.

“I guess so, Andy,” Nell replied, nervous about flying, nervous about missing work, nervous about not having packed the right clothes… In short, a ball of nerves.

Nell took the carry-on and Andy took the other two cases, and they headed down the hall, toward the elevator. Just as they passed Melissa’s door, it opened and she emerged, dressed in her nursing scrubs and carrying her large purse, a tote bag and a huge thermos of water or coffee.

“Oh… hi,” Melissa said, surprised by all the luggage. “Going somewhere?”

“I am,” Nell smiled. “I’m flying to Key West to stay with Bill O’Connell for the weekend.”

“You’re kidding…” Melissa glanced at Andy, then leaned in closer to Nell. “And you… told him? I mean everything?”

“I did.”

“Wow. I did not see that coming. Listen, have a great time, be careful, and I’ll check on Rowan’s plants while you’re away.” She kissed his cheek. “Sorry, gotta run,” and she headed to the stairwell.

Once in the town car, Nell asked, “So, Andy, do you work for Bill?”

Bill chuckled. “I sure do. I’ve been with him for six years now. I started as an intern and hated everything about investments, so I kind of became a runner. You know, run down the street to get coffee, or run papers over to another company… whatever needed to be done.”

“Then you became his driver?”

“Well… driver, assistant, factotum… whatever. I’m here to help, you know what I mean?”

“Twenty-four/seven?”

“Twenty-four/seven. It’s a pretty great job, though. I’ve been all over the world, met a lot of famous people and done a lot of cool things. The pay’s pretty great, too. If the boss decides to retire someday, and he talks about that a lot, then I have a pretty nice nest egg set aside for myself to open up a nice beach bar someplace.”

“That’s wonderful.”

They stopped at a red light and Andy turned in his seat to look at Nell. “You know, Miss… I’ve seen Mr O’Connell do a lot of things. He is the most levelheaded, practical guy on this earth. He considers every angle of every situation and he’s always thinking eight moves ahead of everyone around him. But Miss… I have never seen him act the way he’s been acting the last couple of days. He’s really taken with you. I hope you’re not stringing him along.”

Traffic moved and they travelled in silence the last couple of miles to the airport. At the private airline terminal, Andy came to Nell’s door to open it. As Nell stood, he looked at Andy and said, “I know you’ve known Bill longer than I have, and I know you’re just trying to be a good friend, but Andy, I am nuts about Bill. I am not stringing anyone along.”

Andy nodded. “Glad to hear it, Miss. Shall we go in?”

Within minutes, they had boarded a private jet. Nell had kind of expected it to look like a small bus, or a large van inside, but instead, it looked like a small living room. Following Andy’s instructions, he sat in one of the seats, fastened his seatbelt and in what seemed like moments, the plane was racing down the runway before lifting off – a sensation that Nell found frightening, exhilarating, horrifying and miraculous, all at the same time. He looked out the window and watched the ground fall away below.

“What do you think?” Andy asked.

The smile on Nell’s face told the whole story. “It’s incredible. I’ve never experienced anything like this.”

Andy chuckled. “Well, hopefully it’s a smooth flight. If you’d like anything – a drink, a snack – just let me know. I had them stock the plane with pretty much everything.”
 
 

 
 
“Good morning, Renee,” she said as she passed the reception desk at Global.

“Oh, good morning,” Renee said, only a little surprised to see that particular person entering. Word around the office was that Nelson Egan was flying to Florida with Bill O’Connell that morning, but it was still early. They must be leaving later.

“That’s odd,” Jessie said, standing straighter at her work table.

“What?” Asked Nadine.

“Nelson’s here. I thought he was leaving for Florida an hour ago.”

Nadine turned just as the woman entered the office.

“Why are you here?” Jessie asked. “Did something go wrong?”

“Nothing went wrong,” the woman said. “I’m here because you messed up my brother’s life and I didn’t want him to be alone when he got dumped. Hopefully that’s the worst that happened to him, and he didn’t get the crap beaten out of him. Where is he?”

“He’s on his way to Florida,” Nadine said, still thrown by Rowan’s presence.

Now, it was Rowan’s turn to be shocked. “Florida? Why is Nelson on his way to Florida? I don’t think he’s ever been out of Massachusetts before.”

“He’s meeting Bill O’Connell in Key West for a vacation of some sort on Bill’s estate. To get to know each other, I guess.”

Rowan pulled out her cell phone and called her brother’s number. When the voicemail feature answered, she ended the call. “Why doesn’t he answer his phone?”

“Maybe he doesn’t know how to get onto the WiFi and cellular service on the private jet. It’s probably not as well posted as it is on a commercial flight,” Nadine suggested, helpfully.

“A private jet!?” Rowan’s hands flew to her temples. “How has the world turned topsy-turvy in less than a week. I left you with my shy, emotionally stunted, quiet brother and I come back five days later to find that he has taken my identity, gone on two dates with someone who thinks he’s a woman and now is on his way to a secluded getaway, on a private jet with this person who may be planning to do God knows what to him. How could this happen? Why did you allow this to happen? What is wrong with you people?”

“Honestly, Rowan, it’s not like that…” Jessie started, but Rowan wasn’t interested.

“I swear to God, if anything happens to him…” she turned and stormed away, tears of fear and rage streaming down her face.

“Ro!” Jessie called after her, but there was no stopping her. She looked at Nadine and both looked confused and guilty.

“Geez, Jess… he’s going to be ok, isn’t he?”

“I hope so.”
 
To Be Continued...