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“I’m with you on that. And if we miss out on something big, then it sucks to be us. But something is just too fishy, and I don’t see that happening.”
“Yep, so with the contract out of the way, how was going home?”
“Something I should have done a long-ass time ago,” I tell him honestly.
“Told you. I still can’t believe you stayed away for ten years, and for no good reason at all.”
“I had my reasons, or at least, I thought I did,” I argue.
“Being in love with a girl that you didn’t think reciprocated the feelings isn’t the best reason. Speaking of said girl, when do I get to meet her?”
“No idea. I’d love to get her to come out here for a week, but I have no idea how to make that happen. She’s got her bakery and it’s really just her and her cousin running it.”
“Can she hire some additional help to cover?”
“Maybe.” I ponder the idea. “The bakery is a busy place, but I’m not sure what kind of profit margins she’s got. I don’t know what she can afford in additional payroll.”
“Maybe offer to help? Be a silent investor?” he suggests.
“Yeah, I don’t think that will go over well.” I chuckle. “You tell me when walking in with my wallet open to a successful businesswoman and telling her ‘here, let me make things better for you,’ will go in my favor. That sounds like the perfect moment to get a knee to the balls, a palm across my cheek, and a big-ole fuck you. Not a scenario I want playing out.”
“That’s why you have to make her think that it washeridea. Come on, man, you’ve been around enough women to know somewhat how they think and work. Think outside the box.”
I give Leo a side eye. “Is that how you wooed Candace?” I ask, bringing up his wife.
“No,” he chuckles. “I won her over by my charm and good looks.” He smirks. “The D might have also helped.”
“Stop right there. I don’t need to hear anything else about your dick.” I throw my balled-up napkin at him just as Rose walks into the room.
“I swear, the two of you are a bunch of middle-schoolers. Are we really talking about dicks when you’re supposed to be talking about work?” she asks, giving us that mom voice of hers that she’s got down so well.
“We were good and took care of the business when we started. Speaking of that, can you draft a letter to the Jones proposal, letting them know we’re not willing to move forward? We’re pulling all interest in the project.”
“Of course,” Rose says. “I can’t say I’m sorry to be rid of them. That guy creeped me out,” she states.
“Was he bothering you?” Leo asks, turning his full attention to his sister. He might be her younger brother, but his brotherly protectiveness comes out in full force.
“Calm down, caveman.” She rolls her eyes at Leo. “He’d call, daily usually, to ask for updates. He might have tried to convince me to go get drinks with him each time, but don’t worry, I’d always turn him down. I think he was trying to get me to go so he could pump me for information, or at least, that is the vibe I got.”
“Bastard,” I mutter.
“He didn’t even flinch when I told him I was married and had kids. Made it sound like it was perfectly fine for a mother and wife to meet up with a guy for drinks at some sleezy bar after work.”
“Yeah, he is a bastard. Let’s get rid of him today,” Leo states.
“I’ll get right on it once I’m back from lunch. Can I get either of you anything before I leave?” she asks.
“We’re good, thanks for lunch,” I tell her.
We watch as Rose leaves the office, both growling over the idea that this punk of a guy was pulling that shit with her. “I hate guys like that. I’m almost tempted to call him myself and tell him to go to hell,” Leo growls, balling up his own napkin and tossing it on the table in front of him.
“You don’t have to ask me for permission,” I tell him.
* * *
The alarmI set on my phone startles me, but that’s the reason I set it. I didn’t want to miss getting to talk to Harper tonight. I feel like it’s been ages, when in reality it’s been two days. The few text messages we’ve managed to send one another just aren’t cutting it, and I need to see her beautiful face and hear her voice. So, I set an alarm for five and will be leaving the office.
“Night, Rose,” I call out as I leave my office. The shocked look on her face tells me all I need to know. She’s used to me working until very late, never leaving before she does unless it is for a meeting outside the office.
