“Then why the fuck are you here now? What is all this?”
“Mostly for Aria.”
“And the rest?”
“You. I want us to work together.”
I nearly choked on his words. Callum Brown wanted to work with me? He must have been on something, because I’d never heard anything so ludicrous in my life.
“I don’t believe a word you’re saying.”
“Look, I think we’d be stronger together. Allies. We both want the same thing, after all.” He sipped his drink again, then placed the glass down.
“I don’t trust you.”
“Let’s set up a meeting, and I’ll prove to you that you can.”
Before I had a chance to respond, Aria came in, carrying a heavy plate that must have been hot because she was using oven gloves.
“Let me take that from you.” Callum rushed over before I could and placed it down for her.
“Thank you—I thought I was going to drop it.”
“Let me help you,” he offered.
“No,” I interjected before Aria could speak. “You’re the guest. Sit down, and I’ll help my girlfriend.”
He gave me a small nod, and Aria placed a kiss on my cheek. “Thank you.”
It took about five minutes at most to get everything brought through, and we then sat down at the table to eat.
“This looks absolutely amazing, Aria. You didn’t have to go to all this trouble just for me.”
She smiled at him. “You’re worth it.”
I looked over the table. Those stupid purple roses next to my grey ones. The chicken and tomato cobbler, with an array of roasted potatoes, honey roasted carrots, and the worst vegetable in the world. Broccoli. I mean, who eats that? They looked like little trees. Aria knew I hated it.
In fact, thinking about it, I don’t think I’d ever eaten cobbler in my life.
“Aria, this is beautiful,” Callum said, after taking a mouthful. “It reminds me of Mum’s.”
“How is your mum?” she asked, taking a bite.
“She has good days and bad days. I try to see her as much as possible.”
“I’m really sorry, Callum.”
Fuck this. I knew he was referring to Jason being dead. I wasn’t having her feel guilty for anything that had happened to her. None of that was her fault.
“Aria, don’t do that. None of it was on you. Please remember that. I don’t blame you for anything,” Callum said softly, getting there before me.
What a piece of shit.
“So, what brings you to London, Callum?” I asked, changing the subject.
His lips curled into a small smile. “I’m looking to buy a few businesses around here. Expand. Something I’m sure you’re familiar with, with your line of work.”
“Callum knows you work in private equity as the CEO of your family business,” Aria added.
