I sat in the kitchen for a while afterward, wondering if there was anything I wouldn’t do to see her smile like that again.
* * *
Later in my office,my mind was consumed with visions of Callie.Her smile, the sway of her hips as she walked away from me.She filled my head, erasing the tension and frustration from dealing with Gene.I didn’t even notice when my dad entered the room.
“Hey, son.Sorry I missed the meeting.How did it go?”
“Heard it went well.I missed most of it myself.”
Dad raised an eyebrow.“Oh?”
“Mhm.Gene was being a misogynistic twat.”
“Emmett,” Dad scolded, his tone stern but gentle.“What happened?”
I sighed.“Callie was presenting the proposal, and he wouldn’t even look her in the eye.He directed every question to me, so I faked a call from my doctor and excused myself.”
“I see.Did you speak with Callie after the fact?”
“Yeah, she said it seemed to go well.”
“I meant about Gene.”
“Not directly, but she’s smart.She read the room.”I leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my tousled hair.
“I’ll have a talk with him.”
Frustration bubbled up inside me.“I don’t get how you can stand him—how you can run this company with him.”
“He’s been my best friend since I was a boy, Emmett.What would you do if Wick got old and turned into a—What was that colorful word you used?Twat?Would you just cut him off?”
I grumbled under my breath.“Maybe.”
Dad chuckled, shaking his head.“So, Callie’s doing well then?”
The knot in my stomach loosened as I thought about her poise and professionalism during the meeting.“Yeah.Fuck, she’s amazing.”
“Uh oh.I know that look.”Dad’s eyes twinkled with amusement.
“What look?”
He pointed an accusatory finger.“That one, right there.That wistful, boy-in-love look.”
Heat crept up the back of my neck.“Dad, I am not in love with Callie.”
“Sure thing, kid.Keep telling yourself that.”
“I’m not just telling myself that.I’m tellingyouthat.”
Dad’s expression softened.“Be careful, Em.Callie seems like a great girl, but I don’t want you to get hurt again.”
“You don’t want me to get hurt, or you don’t want the business to get hurt?”
Dad’s brow creased.“I think you forget who you’re talking to, son.You—and your sister—are my first concern.Always.I hope you know that.”
Feeling a sharp pang of remorse, I sighed and ran a hand over my face.“I do, Dad.I’m sorry.It’s just been...”
“Stressful day, I know.I’ll talk to Gene.”Dad stood and pulled me into a firm hug.“You’re doing a great job, kid.I love ya.”
