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“I can deal with that,” I say. “Anything else?”
“There may be times when I have events to prepare food for. If I’m at your house every weekday, I may have to do double duty while I’m there.”
“As long as I’ve got food to eat, you can do whatever you want. I don’t expect you to be stuck in my kitchen all day long. If you’ve got errands to run or you want to go for a swim, you can. Use your time however you see fit. I’ll just be happy to have something edible to eat.”
“Edible? I think I can do better than that.” She snickers.
“Oh, I know you can. Why don’t I get out of your kitchen, so you can finish up. I’ll have my attorney draw up a contract and email it to you. Let me know if anything needs to be tweaked to meet your approval.”
“Okay, great.”
“I’ll be in touch,” I say, smiling.
“Thank you, Ryder. I appreciate the opportunity.”
I wave my hand, putting an end to her thanks. “You’re the one helping me.” I lock her doorknob before I leave and practically float above the driveway as I walk to my truck. I found a way to see Calista every day while putting delicious food in my stomach and improving my diet. It’s a win all around.
Unless I do something to fuck it up, that is.
CHAPTER12
CALISTA
The restaurant entrywayis packed full of people waiting for a table as I pass on by. Evie texted to let me know they’re seated in the back room to the side of the bar. But even if I hadn’t known where to find them, Wendy’s vibrant red hair calls to me like a beacon in a storm. I walk toward the table and Evie’s face lights up when she sees me.
“Hey, Calista,” she says, jumping up to hug me.
After I exchange quick hugs with everyone, I take the open seat next to Rori.
“Ladies, I’ve taken the liberty of ordering us some appetizers and drinks,” Evie announces. “We’re having dinner later with the guys, but I thought we needed something to start the night off right.”
“Hell yeah,” Wendy says.
As if on cue, the serving staff appears, dropping off champagne and finger foods. I’ve barely eaten today, so the nourishment is welcome, even if the crab dip is nowhere near as good as mine. The champagne bubbles sweetly on my tongue and I’m refilling my glass all too soon.
“What’s the plan for when we leave here?” Rori asks.
Evie shrugs. “I’m not sure. Darius told me there would be a limo outside waiting for us at eight o’clock sharp and it will take us to our next destination.”
Wendy moves her shoulders side to side, dancing in her chair with a chicken tender clasped between her fingers. “Ooh, maybe it’s a strip club and we’ll see some hot buns.”
“Don’t you see enough hot buns with Murphy?” Evie asks.
“Is there a sufficient limit? His are the only ones I’ll touch, but a girl can look all she wants.”
“There’s nothing wrong with looking,” I agree. “In fact, that’s all I seem to do these days.” A vision of Ryder in his basketball shorts pops into my head.
“What?” Wendy asks, not hiding her surprise. “But you’re beautiful.”
“Thank you. I’m flattered you think so, but as a new business owner, I don’t have the time or energy to date.”
“Oh, girl, you can’t sacrifice sex in the name of your business,” Wendy states, as if it’s some universal law.
“Something’s gotta give, and it can’t be my sleep, which leaves me no free time,” I explain.
“Yeah, but you only need an hour or so to get together with someone,” Wendy says.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Dating is time consuming. By the time I’d have dinner with someone, I’d be ready to go to bed.”
