I cleared my throat, “Nice to meet you…again.” I held my hand out to him. Would he squeeze my hand like he had Grant’s?
Mr. Cole scowled at me, ignoring my hand, and then shifted his gaze to Grant. “Mr. Kelly, we have a contract and I expect it to be upheld. The only reason I haven’t pulled my contract is out of respect for your late father and our friendship.”
Grant nodded. “Understood. I assure you. I’m aware of our contract, and it is being upheld.”
Mr. Cole pointed right at me.
Rude.
“The contract states no one under fifty will be allowed to take part in any of the events or mingle with your guests,” Grant repeated robotically. “Emma is waiting in the foyer until after theraffle to give her mother a ride home. I felt it was unnecessary for her to wait in her car.”
“And she isn’t bothering any of the guests?”
“No, sir.”
“She is standing right here,” I muttered under my breath, and Mr. Cole’s dark eyes shifted to me. A chill rushed down my spine.
Grant took a step slightly in front of me, drawing Mr. Cole’s attention. “I assure you, she isn’t bothering anyone.”
“Fine.” Mr. Cole grumbled and pulled his gaze away. “It would be a shame if I had to take my business elsewhere.” He sneered in a way that was clearly a threat. “Now, what about the movie reels I asked for?”
“I haven’t had any luck.” Grant clenched a fist at his side. “I can find digital color remakes of several Cary Grant films but not the old film reels.”
“No.” He growled. “No digital remastered ones. It has to be authentic. Understood?”
Grant nodded. “I understand. I will keep looking.”
Darian Cole offered me one last chilling glare before he stalked off.
I peeked around Grant to make sure Cole was out of earshot. “It’s a shocker that man is single with such a charming personality.”
Grant sighed as he plopped back down in his chair. “I hate working with him.” His fists clenched, and his jaw was tight.
Looks like I needed to change the subject. “What movie reels did you need?”
“What?” Grant shook his head, resurfacing from his anger.
“Something about Cary Grant movie reels?”
“Oh yeah.” He nodded the direction Mr. Cole had gone. “He wants authentic movie reels for an event. It can’t be digital.” He rubbed a hand down his face. “Where the crap am Isupposed to find that?”
“I might have some at The Bees Knees. Do you know what ones you are looking for?”
He tipped his chin toward me. “Where is that? I might have checked there?”
My eyebrows lowered. “Maybe. It’s a vintage thrift store downtown that I work at.” My smile faltered. Wait! Was that where I had seen him before? “Were you in a few weeks ago?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I think so. Just checked real quick and left, I think.”
Thats why I kept thinking he felt familiar. “We get new inventory all the time, so I’m happy to check if you want.” My phone vibrated. I pulled it out of my purse and smiled at my text. “It looks like Mom won the Latin dance class.”
Grant’s forehead creased. “Wait. I thought your mom’s phone wasn’t charged?” He didn’t say a word.
“Maybe she charged it?” I forced a weak smile.
He waited with a raised brow.
“Or…maybe you were part of her payback for me setting her up?” I wrinkled my nose and squinted.
