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Or so I thought.
In my eyes, Kelli and I aren’t a couple. I told her as much countless times. With each breakup, she waves it off with a laugh. Tells me I am ridiculous for thinking she would ever leave my side.
Doesn’t help that I fan the flame—joining her for the occasional lunch or party at her parents’ estate. No matter which way I spin it, Kelli Langston doesn’t understand the word no. Nor does she comprehend people not caving to her wishes.
Just as I say, “We’re in a meeting,” Garrett says, “No bother. We were wrapping up.”
Thanks. For nothing.
“Did you see my text?” Before I get a word in, she continues, as if my answer is irrelevant. “Was thinking we’d hit the diner.” She fans out her fingers and studies the blush polish. “I’ll be at the car.” She spins on her heel and walks out.
“Wow,” Terrance states, eyes wide, brows at his hairline. “Did that just happen?”
Terrance and Garrett are all too familiar with Kelli and her the world revolves around me mentality. But it is rare for them to see it in action. Considering she was once my girlfriend, and the firm handles the Langston’s investments, there is no escaping Kelli. Not anytime soon.
“Yep.” The last letter pops on my lips. “Drives me insane.” I look at the guys. “How many times do I break up with her before it sticks?” I drag my fingers through my hair. “Jesus. Hiring hit men isn’t my thing, but if it works…”
Terrance joins my laughter. Garrett, not so much.
“She can’t be that bad,” Garrett offers.
I raise my brows in question. “Oh, no? You ever had a tick burrow itself into your skin? ’Cause that’s pretty much what she’s done. And I can’t seem to dig her out.”
Garrett shrugs as he gathers his belongings. “Whatever. Meeting’s over. Enjoy your lunch.” And then he disappears.
I look to Terrance. “Am I reading too much into it or did Dunn seem upset over what I said?”
Terrance closes his padfolio and rises from his seat. “Don’t worry about him. Think he’s having girl trouble.”
From what Garrett shared, he has been dating Ann for years. He never shared much about her with us, just that he loved her and planned to propose soon. Maybe he did and shit hit the fan. But he’d ask us for advice at that point. Right?
No telling. He will share more in his own time. Until then, I lend an ear and curb my own issues.
“Enjoy lunch,” Terrance teases on his way out.
“Thanks,” I deadpan. “Maybe I’ll get lucky and come back without extra weight.”
“Good luck,” he says on a laugh.
I need all the luck I can get.
Chapter Five
SKYLAR
“Was good seeing you,” Oliver says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and kissing my head. “You get good pics today?”
I melt into his side as I swipe through the pictures on my phone. One after another, I share the food and restaurant shots I’d taken for Poke the Yolk, a breakfast/brunch destination in Stone Bay. One of five food establishments owned by Calhoun-Kemp Industries—my employer.
As the company’s social media marketing manager, I visit each location biweekly and take photos to post online. My job isn’t just to entice the locals to stop by and spend their hard-earned money, but to also lure in the tourists. Make lattes, pancakes, club sandwiches, and steak dinners drool-worthy on screen. Which is easier said than done.
The kitchen staff is ready for me on each visit. Plating the food as if it were entering a competition. Doesn’t hurt that I get to sample the goods too.
“Yeah. Maxine made phenomenal strawberry-Nutella crepes today,” I say, stopping on the image.
Oliver drops his arm and takes the phone, zooming in on the shot. “No one makes crepes like Max. Great shot.” He hands me the phone and we inch apart.
Oliver Moss. Eleven months and one zodiac sign are all that separate us. When Mr. Calhoun hired him three years ago, I practically stalked him. Came to the restaurant every other day to eat, grab a coffee, or share small talk with the new busboy. I had been enamored with his short, dark curls and basil-green eyes.
