“I’ll take a look at the schedule and give you a call by the end of the week, but I’ll make it work.”
“Wonderful.” She’s beaming. She opens her mouth to say more, but a throat clears behind us.
“Dutton,” Henry’s voice is dripping with the authority he thinks he possesses. “Mrs. Locke.”
Mrs. Locke just glares at him, clearly not planning to reply.
“Henry,” I greet him.
“Make time for me this week,” he says. It’s not a question. It’s a demand.
“Add it to the shared calendar and I’ll be there,” I reply. He’s used that phrase on me countless times.
His gaze narrows before he nods and walks off.
After he’s out of earshot, Mrs. Locke turns to me and says, “Growing up with that man as a father, I’d have broken a bunch of shit, too. Oh, and tell Brooke thank you for the butterscotch muffins this morning. It was a pleasant surprise.”
And with that, she walks out.
Well, that was weird but oddly satisfying.
Brooke is going to be thrilled when I tell her that I’ve officially smoothed things over with three of our five targets. Ifthat’s even something to focus on anymore. Hell, I shouldn't even be here. I should be with Brooke, who, from the sounds of it, is distracting herself pretty well at work right now.
“I need to talk to you.”
I turn to find Gavin behind me.
I hadn’t even heard him walk up.
Jesus. At this rate, I’m not going to get anything done today.
I may as well grab my computer and set up an office at the bakery for the rest of the day.
The idea is sounding more and more appealing.
I let out a sigh and wave for him to follow me to my office.
This is no doubt about yesterday as well.
Gavin closes my door.
“Look, I don’t know what’s going on between you and Brooke, but I think you should think long and hard about who her father is before you get too far.”
Oh, he’s just going to jump right in. Okay. Works for me.
“I’m aware.” I scrub a hand down my face.
“And you went there anyway?”
I couldn't not go there, but I don’t know how to convey that to Gavin. He was in love once, and she left him when their daughter was a baby.
That was thirteen years ago, and it altered his entire outlook on life and love. All these years later, I don’t think it’s changed.
I have no idea how to explain it to him.
Being with Brooke, it just feels right.
“Have you ever spent time with her? I’m not talking about when we go out as a group with our friends or you need to place an order for the lodge.”
