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I’d find a way to deal with Cal the same way I dealt with all the other pricks a woman in my position came across in this industry. Creatively.
A smile crossed my face as I drove through town on my way back to the office, my confidence growing as I reminded myself that Cal was just a man, a flesh and blood man full of flaws, despite his pretty face. Yeah, I could handle renovating his house.
No problem.
Back at the office, I smiled when I spotted two of my favorite people. “Antonio, this is a nice surprise.”
My brother flashed a wide grin and smiled, extending his tattooed arms out to me. “Rosie wanted to show off her new crown and it was time for some fresh air.”
Antonio had moved home six months ago, hoping the crisp Oregon air would help with Rosie’s severe asthma.
I looked over at my niece, who preened as I gave her a thorough examination. “I like that the jewels in your crown match your sneakers.” Where Antonio had managed to find such a wide selection of crowns for this princess-obsessed girl, I’d never know, but he managed it with a calm I admired. The Ricci family was known more for temper than Zen.
Rosie stuck her pink lips out into a pout. “Thanks, Aunt Teddy. Daddy wouldn’t let me wear my princess dress today.”
“He wouldn’t? What a cruel king he is!”
Rosie smiled and Antonio narrowed his gaze in my direction. “It’s at the dry cleaner’s because a certain princess spilled spaghetti sauce all over it.” He shook his head and an amused smile formed. “It’s like if you decided to wear dresses at her age. She’s got the desire, but your clumsiness.”
“Former clumsiness,” I corrected him. “How’s work?”
“Great. Just got a new sponsor and a shit load of cookware waiting to be washed and photographed.”
“That’s awesome, congratulations.” Antonio had spent years as a chef in Los Angeles, building up his brand until he was at the brink of celebrity chefdom, but he’d set it all aside for Rosie and now he was one of the most popular food vloggers in the country. “Do you miss it?”
He shrugged and shook his head, gaze focused on Rosie who sat on Vince’s lap while he worked. “Some days, sure. But I get to cook what I want every day and there are no customers asking for well-done steak.”
“Oh, the horror!”
“I know, right?” He flashed a smile and I could admit he looked more relaxed since returning to Jackson’s Ridge. “Hungry?”
“Always.”
“I brought Cenzo a plate of food, but there’s more at home if you have the time.”
“For your cooking? Always.” I never passed up a chance to sample Antonio’s dishes and dealing with Cal had burned all the calories from my breakfast burrito and coffee. “Meet you there in ten?”
I had to give Vincenzo a briefing on my meeting with Cal before heading to the bungalow Antonio had bought just two doors down from me.
“What’s all this?”
“Poker night done right.” Antonio flashed the famous smile that sent women to his YouTube channel in droves. “Have a seat and tell me about your day.”
“I showed up at Cal’s place to do a bid on his house, walked in on him breaking some poor woman’s heart.”
He flashed a knowing smile and shook his head.
“He finally admitted he can’t do it on his own?”
“Hardly.” I rolled my eyes. “Claims he doesn’t have the time. It’s a big job.”
“The whole house needs to be gutted and updated. It is a big job, good for the company.”
I nodded, because that was the only thing that mattered. The job was good for the bottom line. Period.
Antonio mistook my silence and scoffed. “Don’t tell me you’re still crushing on Cal? It’s been ages, Teddy.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “Hell no, I’m not. He cured me of that particular affliction a long time ago.”
Instantly, he shifted into protective big-brother mode, his brows dipped into a dark frown as he set food in front of me. “Braised pork with blackberry barbecue sauce and caramelized onions. What does that mean, he cured you?”
“Nothing,” I groaned and took a big unladylike spoonful of food and shoved it in my mouth. “Ancient history.”
“That’s not an answer,” he said and pulled the pork away.
“Hey! I was promised food, dick.”
Antonio’s lips twitched and he arched a brow. “And I asked a question.”
“Shouldn’t you go check on Rosie?”
He let out a deep laugh and shook his head. “She’s taking a royal nap. Your turn to talk.”
I took a deep breath, knowing he wouldn’t let it go until he had all the details. “Fine. I was sixteen and he was on the brink of eighteen when I told Cal all about my not-so-secret crush on him. I asked him to be my first kiss and he agreed, and yeah, it was incredible.”
