"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Are you going to come over to Dad's for dinner?"
Ollie really wasn't in the mood.But Charles had already left him a voicemail asking if he'd come over with Reaves this evening because he wanted to talk to them both.There was no way he'd turn Charles down.
"Yeah, I'll be there, but I'm going to run home first and collect the dogs."
Since he got home from Callie's on Sunday, he'd been with the dogs 24/7.He always found comfort in hanging out with them.It had been a wrench to leave them with Rosa this morning, even though it was only for the day, while they flew the sales team to San Diego.
"I'm guessing you don't want me to come with you?"asked Reaves.
"No, it won't take me long.I'll be over there shortly after you."
"Okay.Listen, bud, I'm really sorry again about how things worked out."
"There's no need.It's not your fault.You were the one who kept telling me right from the beginning that I had to come clean with her."
"Yeah, but that's not the point.The point is that I feel bad.I don't like seeing you like this."
Ollie shrugged."I'm okay."
He didn't add that he was okay for now because he still had some hope that when Callie had had time to think about it, she might call him and still be prepared to see him again.He was going to have to be okay even if she didn’t; it wasn't like they'd been seeing each other for months or anything.They'd hardly even been on a real date.But she'd gotten to him.Gotten under his skin.
When they reached the hangar, he took his headset off, but Reaves waved for him to remain seated.
"I'll go open the doors.You stay there till these guys have gone."
"Thanks."
Ollie wasn't going to argue.He didn't feel like laughing and joking with the guys on the sales team like he usually did.All they wanted to do was thank him and Reaves for the ride and invite them out for a drink.
Reaves came back into the cockpit a few minutes later."We're clear.They've all gone now.Do you want to get out of here?I can take care of things tonight."
He got to his feet and grasped Reaves's shoulder."Yeah, thanks.I will.I'll run on home to get the dogs.Do you know what your dad wants to see us about?"
Reaves smiled."He said that he's been thinking about the rebranding."
That earned a genuine smile from Ollie."Well, that's good news.I thought he was going to blow off the whole idea.He didn't seem too thrilled about Delaney."
Reaves chuckled."No, I'm sure he'll do fine with her in a business sense.It's just that from what he saw of her at the wedding, she's a bit too ...assertive.That's probably what he wants to talk to us about.Probably wants us both there as a buffer to make sure she doesn't push him around."
Ollie had to laugh."I can see why he'd worry about it.But we can protect him between us, can't we?She might be a bit abrasive, but everyone I've asked about her says that she's the best in the business.I talked to Bentley this morning, and he said all the wineries around here have used her at some point over the last few years.And that she's a major turnaround specialist.So whatever it takes, we'll do it."
"We sure will," Reaves agreed."Go on, get your ass out of here.Go and get those doggies."He smiled."Maybe they can cheer you up a bit."
"Yeah, I'm fine," said Ollie."Or I will be."
"You will.Callie will come around.It was a shock, that's all."
When he arrived at Rosa and Luigi’s place, Ollie checked his phone again, just in case.He already knew damn well that Callie hadn't messaged him.But he kept hoping and checking anyway.
He scowled when he saw that there was a new text, but it was from his dad.He was tempted not to open it.He knew his dad checked when his messages were delivered and also when they were read.
He opened it anyway.
Dad:It's been a while.How are you?
He stared at the seven words, then closed the screen again.What was he supposed to say to that?
