Pulling out my phone, I open up our company shared document and add a note for the upcoming meeting. He’ll probably complain about it, but I don’t care. I had plans, and him handing me work that didn’t need to be done today, put a damper on them.
I glance at the progress I’ve made. Only ten more to go.
“Why are you in such a rush?” Pierce’s voice echoes through the room, and I almost knock a bottle over.
“Because I have a date.” He doesn’t need to know about the game nights, even if tonight is more of a dinner. Not right now when I’m pissed at him.
“With who?” As if he doesn’t know.
“Callie.” I keep working. There’s no way in hell I’m going to let him pull me away from what I’m doing.
“Miles’s little sister?” He laughs. “Isn’t she a little, young for you?”
“She’s two years younger, Pierce. Why do you care?”
“I don’t.” He preps the next bottle. “I saw your note on the meeting agenda.”
“Is it a problem?”
“Not really. It’ll be up to you to make sure Phillip’s handling things okay. And if he screws up…that’s on you.”
“You realize he knows how to do all of this, right?” I glare at him and wave my hand around the building. “He grew up in this business the same way we did.”
“He doesn’t have any motivation. He takes too long to do one thing.”
I don’t tell him it’s because he’s bored out of his mind. If he goes any faster, he won’t have anything to do. The last thing he wants is to be caught sitting around and get yelled at.
“Phillip will do what he needs to.”
“You can get out of here. I’ll finish up.”
“Really?”
He must be tired of getting the cold shoulder. He likes to dish it out, but has never liked being on the receiving end. Maybe if he wasn’t such a jerk people would like him more. I still can’t believe it’s taken me this long to realize how awful he can be.
“Yeah. Go on your date.”
I’m not arguing with him. “See you tomorrow morning.” Without waiting for a response, I hightail it to my truck. I’m not even going to stop at my house to change. The last thing I need is for Callie to think I’m the same as Conrad. I’d much rather be with her than bottling wine.
In less than five minutes I’m pulling into Callie’s driveway. All of my siblings are here and I see Eric’s car parked at the very end of the line.
A quick glance in the rearview mirror to make sure I’m presentable and I’m out of my truck. Before I have a chance to knock on the door, Callie is opening it up.
“Finally.” The relief on her face breaks me. That asshole made her second guess everything. Always on the search for a possible lie.
“Yes, finally.” I pull her into my arms and my lips crash into hers. She won’t have any doubt about how I feel toward her. Once I’m sure she’s gotten the message, I break the kiss. “The party can get started,” I call out.
“Callie, you can never leave this family again.” Paula grabs a glass and pours herself some wine. “I don’t know what you’ve done to my brother, but this is the happiest I think I’ve ever seen him.”
“Well, I did just buy a house. I think I’m going to be around for a while.” She beams at my older sister. I’m not sure Paula knows how much she’s reassured Callie with that statement. But I’m glad she knows how happy she’s made me.
“Good. I don’t think I can take another day of Peter moping around and simply existing.” Parker adds.
“I don’t mope.” What is this gang up on Peter night?
“Sure, you don’t.” Parker rolls his eyes. “Can we eat now? I’m starving.”
“Dig in.” Callie gives the go ahead and takes my hand in hers. She really is a dream come true for me.
