“I was so sure I had sent it.” Mandy visibly trembles, and I feel for her.
“We’ve had an issue with some emails going missing or landing in spam,” Callan says. “The fault is probably on ourside.” I don’t know if that’s true or a lie to protect the young assistant.
“You should fix that in case any more important communications get lost.” Seán’s jaw tightens the longer he stares at Callan.
“We are handling the issue,” Callan calmly replies.
“To answer your question, no, Melissa is no longer assigned to this project. My fiancée is in charge of the remodeling, though it appears formal introductions are not required.” His cold tone mirrors the expression on his face, and I can almost see the wheels churning in his brain.
“You’re engaged?” Hurt glimmers in Callan’s eyes for a split second before he masks it. It’s highly unlikely my astute fiancé missed it. Callan’s eyes linger on my engagement ring. “Nice rock.”
It looks like it’s painful for him to say, and anger joins the mushrooming emotions building in my chest. Who the fuck is he to cast judgment? And why the hell does he even care?
“She’s mine.” Seán all but growls the words, and fear joins panic in taking turns to punch me in the gut. His grip on my waist tightens. Seán is acting unprofessionally, which is completely out of character for him, but it’s obvious he feels threatened, and this is about to turn nasty if I don’t defuse the situation.
The girl standing at Callan’s side is watching this play out like all she needs is a bucket of popcorn and a large soda.
“We should all sit.” Preferably before my legs give out. “We have a lot to get through today, and we can’t afford to fall behind.” It’s a fucking miracle I can speak, let alone sound competent. I beseech Seán with my eyes. “Any other concerns can be discussed later.”
Seán pierces me with a probing look, like he wishes he had the power to pluck the truth from my mind.
“We thought we could have lunch while we review the schedule,” Dave says, frowning a little as he picks up on the evident tension in the room. He met us at the hotel entrance, and Seán peppered the older supervisor with questions on the walk here. He appears knowledgeable and affable. Someone I can easily see myself getting along with. Unlike his boss.
“What can I get you to drink?” the pretty redhead asks. “I’m Alicia, by the way,” she adds, thrusting out her hand and smiling. “I work with Callan and Travis at Garner Hunt.”
“GH Construction,” I murmur. “Garner Hunt.” I should have researched them. If my assignment hadn’t been hijacked at the last minute, maybe there would’ve been time to figure it out.
Alicia beams at me as she enthusiastically shakes my hand. “The official registered name is Garner Hunt Construction Limited, but our branding is GH Construction because it flows better. That was my idea.”
“Alicia.” Callan’s tone carries caution.
“I’m sorry. I tend to get carried away. Please sit, Astrid, and tell me what you’d like to drink.”
“We don’t have any cappuccinos, but there is coffee, tea, soda, water,” Callan says.
I jerk my head briefly in his direction as Seán pulls a chair out for me at the top of the table. “Black coffee.” I slip into the seat. “I’ll take a bottle of water too, please.”
Alicia fixes drinks for everyone while Dave lowers a screen from the ceiling and hooks his laptop up to it.
You could cut the tension with a knife, and it’s awkward in the extreme. Seán sits to my left with Callan on my right, and they are assessing one another like opponents across a chessboard.
Seán breaks his stare-off with my ex to grab a few sandwiches, sliding a plate in front of me before he gets his own lunch. “Eat, darling. I know you must be starving.”
I was until I got here and came face-to-face with my past. Yes, I have considered this might happen in the three weeks I’ve had time to come to terms with my change of assignment. But I didn’t fucking expect him to be the goddamn contractor I’m supposed to work closely with for the next six months. It’s a shit show of epic proportions, and I’m still reeling. Which is probably for the best, because I can operate on autopilot mode and figure out what the fuck I’m going to do later in the privacy of home.
I force food down my throat as Dave starts talking us through the project plan and timings, asking relevant questions in between bites, and focus on my job. Seán is still clearly wary of Callan, but he quickly dons his CEO hat, and mercifully, Callan does the same. Tension still simmers under the surface, but for now, everyone has their game faces on.
Alicia takes notes as we agree on a few things, and then Seán and I leave with Dave and Callan for a tour of the property.
“This must be nostalgic for you, darling.” Seán keeps his hand on my lower back as we follow the two men.
“Oh?” Dave glances over his shoulder at me.
“I worked here for a few years as a teenager. I started as a server in the restaurant before moving to the front desk.”
His eyes pop wide. “You’re from Ryemont?”
I nod and smile. “Born and raised.”
