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"So just give him some space and time to cool off. I have a good feeling about you guys. There's something special going on there. And if he's smart, he'll recognize it, too, and not throw it away."
I let out a deep breath. "I hope you're right, Brant."
We talk a little more. Brant and Dad are doing an around-the-world adventure. It's something Dad's always wanted to do but couldn't, either because of me, or, after I went away to college, his business producing holiday films in a cute town called Christmas Falls keeping him too busy to get away. And since Brant's at a career crossroads—a former child star who's quit acting and not sure what his next steps will be—why not take off and see the world together?
As I lay in bed that night, I mull over my conversation with Brant. Maybe he's right. Maybe once Wilby takes some time to think about it and talks things through with Polly, who I'm praying might be able to talk some sense into him, he might come around.
And once he does, hopefully he'll give me a chance to properly explain what's involved here—most importantly that there is still a chance to save his family's farm—so that we can work together to make that happen.
I need this job to go well, and I need him to cool down so that I can reason with him.
We both have a lot riding on it.
18
Wilby
"How are you feeling?" Muir asks.
It's been two days since I found out that Col Langdon has been sent from the depths of hell to ruin my life.
"Angry and confused," I reply before taking a bite of my meat pie. It's almost three and we've been run off our feet all day. This is the first chance we've gotten to scarf down some food. Despite us not getting a drop of rain, I'm back in Mrs. Mangle's good graces after my stellar karaoke performance, so she saved a few pies for me and the boys after the usual lunch rush.
"And horny," I throw in around a mouthful of meaty-mushroomy goodness.
"So, no change from your usual, then?" Fitz jokes, dressed in a confetti blazer, confetti shorts, and confetti bow tie. I'm not even asking.
He and Muir chuckle, while Ryde's busy discreetly-not discreetly checking out Linus, who's facing away from us, making himself something to drink. Ryde's eyes are fixated on our boss's arse, which, objectively, as far as arses go, is an impressively stacked one. Especially for a dude in his late thirties. Linus turns around, causing Ryde to blush and drop his gaze.
I inhale a few more bites, swallow, and then wipe my fingers on the napkin. "I don't know what to do. I'm still so angry, and no matter how I try, I can't shake it."
"Who are you angry at?" Linus asks, joining us at the small table, drink in hand.
"What do you mean, who am I angry at? I'm pissed at Col. Have you not been paying attention?"
He's completely unbothered, blowing over the top of his tea. "Sure, sure."
"Mate, I amnotin the mood. If you've got something to say, spit it out."
"Fine. Since you want to know. I'm wondering if, in addition to being angry with Col, you might also be directing some of that anger at yourself?"
"At myself?" I scoff, looking around the table to see if the others are hearing the same thing I am. "Why would I be angry at myself?"
"Because you let him in," Linus replies, cutting straight through the bullshit and pinning me with awell, you asked for itlook.
"You never let anyone in," he goes on. "That's your thing, right? All flirt, no follow-through."
"Well…" I shift in my seat.
It's true, but that doesn't make it any less uncomfortable to actually, you know, get called on it.
"Col snuck in," Linus says, tuning his tone to the right frequency of supportive and no-nonsense BS I asked for. "He made you feel things. Things you might not have felt in a long time." He meets my eyes. "Or ever?"
As I look back at him, I start nodding. "Yeah. Or ever… Fuck! That only makes it worse."
"If you don't mind me asking, what does Col's job actually entail?" Ryde pipes up. "When you were telling us about things yesterday, you mentioned Col saying he wanted to work out a solution for everyone."
"That's just corporate bullshit," I say dismissively.
