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“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered under my breath, before glaring at her and practically growling, “What?”
“Let me lay it out straight,” Calla began, looking pissed. I don’t know if she was angry because she knew I’d finished at the top of the class, she was worried about the job with Agard, or if it was because men steered clear of the hot, but obviously fucking crazed woman, and she hadn’t had a dick in her for years. She practically seethed when she continued, “I will not hesitate to go to the board of directors and tell them all about your love affair with Chef Callaghan…”
I put my hand up to stop her as I pinned her with an angry gaze. I was not in the mood for this shit right now.
“Unless what, Calla?” I asked sharply. “What exactly are you threatening me with here?”
She looked taken aback by my heated response. Calla swallowed nervously, then took a deep breath and said with less confidence, “Turn down the job with Chef Agard, and I won’t tell…”
Moving forward so that I was so far in her space, she was breathing my air, I lowered my head to look her dead in the eye and told her, “You say shit about anything to anyone, you’ll answer to me … You’re threat is empty, and you know it. Chef Callaghan and I aren’t seeing each other. We aren’t dating. We aren’t anything … I’ve already turned down the position with Agard for my own reasons, but I promise you this, Calla, you spread your venom to anyone in this school, or anyone at all for that matter, I’ll make sure you don’t have a chance in hell of getting that job. You’re the one who told me, aren’t you, that
Callaghan and Agard were married? Well, rumor has it, that he isn’t over her, so how do you think he’d react if I told him you were blackmailing her?”
Calla swallowed, and I could almost see her brain trying to catch up as she figured out what her next play would be.
“I don’t have time for this,” I said before she could make a decision and spew more acid at me. “You do what you have to do, and I’ll do what I have to do. And I have to say, Calla, I wouldn’t be upset if I never had to see your brand of crazy again.”
Without giving her time to respond, I turned and made the short distance to my bike and got the hell out of there. That relief I’d felt was short-lived, now I was just pissed.
As I rode home I pushed my thoughts to tomorrow’s meeting with Carson Brandt, and eased my tension by going over what songs I wanted to show him in my head. I felt my anger lift as I thought of the opportunities that Brandt could offer us, which would lead to me being a more plausible catch for Bronagh.
If I was going to convince her that taking a chance on me wouldn’t be a bad bet, I needed to show that I would be a good husband. Someone she could trust, who would be successful in my own right, just like she is.
It was time for me to grow up and act like an adult. To be the man that Bronagh needs to make her happy … And I was ready to be that man.
Chapter Twenty-Eight ~ Bronagh
I was sitting on my front porch, in the wicker furniture I’d lovingly picked out last summer. I kept potted flowers on the porch, and had a neighborhood boy come and mow my grass once a week. It was a calming spot, and I loved having my coffee out here on mornings where I had the time to sit back and enjoy my little oasis.
Still in my pajamas, I was enjoying the fact that school was finished for this class, and that I had a little extra time to myself. Chef Gordon, the instructor I’d been filling in for at the school, was feeling better and ready to resume his position at the school. The board had said they’d be willing to hire me on full time, if I wanted to stay, but I’d actually been relieved to step down. Not that I hadn’t loved teaching and sharing my experiences, but I was ready to be back at the pub full time and give it one-hundred percent of my attention. Plus, with all of the talks Brendan I had about traveling, made me realize how much I’d missed it … Maybe I’d take a break once my da came home from Ireland in a couple days.
I’d missed him so much and couldn’t wait to see him again. I’d be happy to have him close by, so I could see him whenever I wanted. It was crazy to realize that he didn’t know Brendan; it almost made it as if that chapter of my life was a fantasy.
I was holding the warm cup in my hands, about to bring the ceramic mug to my lips, when a movement caught my eye and I watched as that fantasy came right toward me.
“Hey,” Brendan said as he walked up the steps and sat in the wicker chair next to mine. I took the opportunity to soak him in. He’d shaved, and it looked like he had his hair trimmed, although most of the length was still there. He was casual, in jeans and a KROQ Weenie Roast T-shirt, with Birkenstocks on his feet. He looked good. Amazing actually. Totally lickable.
I controlled the urge to lick and simply said, “Hey,” back.
“I hope it’s okay I stopped by,” he said, the only hint that he gave of his nerves was when he rubbed the palms of his hands on his jeans. “I wanted to talk to you in person.”
“Sure,” I replied, wondering how this was all going to play out. I’d come to a decision about our relationship, and I really needed to stick to my guns this time.
“I would have come by sooner, but I wanted to get some stuff settled first.”
I gave him a small smile and revealed, “I heard about the job offer from Maxime. He said you handed it back to him, along with his ass…” I laughed at that, thinking of how pissed off Maxime must have been when Brendan not only denied the offer, but reamed him about his character. He was livid when he’d relayed the conversation, and asked me if there was something going on between Brendan and me. He’d seemed to believe me when I assured him there wasn’t.
“Yeah,” Brendan replied with a sheepish grin. “He was pretty surprised when I said no … But I think Calla will be a better fit than me anyhow.” He fiddled with the hem of his shirt, then stated, “I heard you aren’t going back to instruct.”
I shook my head and said, “No, Gordon’s better now, and I’m happy to finally be strictly a pub owner again.”
Brendan nodded. “That’s great…”
“What about you? If you aren’t taking the job in France, what’s next up for you?”
“Well, that depends,” he said, looking so intently at me that I momentarily got lose in the beauty of his eyes. “That’s actually why I’m here.”
I didn’t say anything, just waited for him to go on as I tried to remain strong and sure of my pre-made decision.
