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“Lena, you need me, here’s my contact information.” I wink, knowing she already has the number. “You have questions, you call me. Your work on this project has platinum player potential.”
Her breath hitches and she dips her head, knowing I have given her the largest recommendation of her time here. “I’ll call.”
She leaves quickly, barely glancing at the partners.
The room is quiet for a second before Mr. Redmond speaks. ” We’re losing you to Charleston, huh?”
“Yes,” I answer on a wistful sigh.
“My wife’s been nagging me to go on a vacation. Mentioned a new resort down there, something about class, culture, and chocolate? You know anything about that?” Mr. Reid puts the question out there.
I rock back, looking at Scottie and Miller, and lean to the side cackling. “Yes, I know something about that! Two of the masterminds are standing right here!” I snort, slapping my hand to my face.
“You ever visit, look us up. We’ll introduce you to the chocolatier,” Miller adds.
Both men’s eyes light up and they give a small chuckle, stepping in to formally introduce themselves.
I stand back, thinking my last memory in this place took a whole new turn.
Chapter 25
Miller
“We’ll be home tomorrow afternoon. She’ll want to come straight to her house.”
“It’s a showplace, brother, be ready,” Pierce tells me something I already know.
“I left it completely done, except for the cleaning.”
“Yes, but this shit shines and sparkles. I think Darby got jealous. She mentioned that damn closet three times.”
“So, build her one.”
“I’ll get right on that. This time I’ll have stairs to reach the fucking top shelves.”
I chuckle, remembering him walking in to find Darby on a stepstool at six-months pregnant. “We’ll call when we get into town. Thanks for everything.”
“Miller, we’re all fucking happy this worked out like it did. Dad, Edward, Evin, me, and Cole are ready to help put up the decorations as soon as she sees it.”
“Appreciate that.”
“Later, man.” He disconnects and I stare out onto the Rhodes’ property, taking in the extravagant and opulent outdoor landscape. Ashlyn didn’t exactly describe her Dad’s business in detail. He’s a fucking giant in the pool and outdoor design industry.
“Good call bringing her here.” Dozer joins me, poking the fire pit to move the logs around.
“I figured she needed her family, and this was better discussed in person or waiting until y’all come to Charleston in a week.”
“You feel confidant they are done with her?”
“Not at all, those old men are swooning over her. She’ll hear from them again at some point, but it will all be complementary. Which is what she deserves. Scottie and I agree that their intentions were in the right place. Outside of supporting Ashlyn, there was another reason I was there. If they thought they’d walk in and steamroll, I was ready to tell them to fuck themselves.”
“It sounds like my girl already had the bitch part handled.”
“Not anymore, I wore her down.”
“Did she really give him the ring back?”
“Put it in an envelope and left it with Brock’s secretary. I’m not gonna lie, I’d like to have seen his reaction to her throwing it at him. But she wanted no more drama. It was her call.”
“Yeah, she’s lived with enough drama because of that asshole.”
I follow his gaze back to the windows that cover the back of his house and see Ashlyn and Janie wrapping presents. The Rhodes may plan to be in Charleston for Christmas, but it didn’t stop Janie from decorating top to bottom. It’s easy to understand where Ashlyn got her inspiration.
“I think you already got the hint I’m marrying her, Grant.” I address him by his first name to emphasize my point. “But it’s important to relay that I adore her. Going into that law firm gave me a view of how she was to these people. She will never be lost again.”
He clears his throat, and fuck me if his eyes don’t go misty. “Is that your way of asking my permission?”
“Take it as you want.”
He tips his chin. “You got my guesthouse in progress yet?”
I throw back my head and laugh into the night air. “Working on it.”
“Hey, we brought the good stuff.” Andrew and Austin walk through the side gate with a case of beer and bottles of liquor.
“Your mama call you?” Dozer asks as they unload in the outdoor kitchen.
“Nope, this was all Miller and Ashlyn,” Andrew answers.
“It was all her. She’s scheming about something.” I take the beer Austin offers.
“I thought the house was complete. If she’s scheming, it means work for us. It always has.”
“Actually, it doesn’t.” Ashlyn comes bounding down the steps, securing her scarf and knit cap. She greets them with a quick hug and comes to my side. Janie joins us, warming her hands by the flames.
“What’s up?” Andrew pushes.
“Mom and I have discussed it, and I’d like to make some changes to our Christmas plans. Instead of driving down early, I’d love it if you’d come Christmas Day and stay with Miller and me at his house.”
