Page 36 of Won’t Let You Get Away

Finishing up my notes from the interview, I look over my schedule for the day. My lunch slot is booked with a meeting with my parents to catch them up, followed by a phone call with an investor. Only after a walk-through with Tucker will my day be over.

“Well, I’m glad someone is actually finding use for this room.”

Glancing up from my laptop, I smile at the sight of my parents standing in the doorway. “I don’t understand why you designed a building with offices if you only planned to use it for storage,” I say.

“I did use it,” Pa huffs, stepping into the room and setting a storage container on the table. “Just haven’t had much reason to be in here lately. I prefer to be hands-on rather than shut away.”

“Come take a break and eat,” Ma demands, following after him with another container and some paper plates.

Pushing away from my desk, I grab my water bottle and notebook before joining them.

“I’m happy to eat, but this isn’t a break. I told you guys we should have lunch to discuss things, not just for fun.”

Ma waves a dismissive hand in my direction while assembling a plate of what looks and smells like chicken and dumplings.

“You’ve been working since you got here, so take a little break to focus on feeding my grandbaby.”

I roll my eyes, still feeling guilty about the unplanned nap I took yesterday but sit beside my dad.

“How about we compromise? I’ll sit, eat, and chit-chat for twenty minutes before we switch gears and talk about work until my phone call at one thirty.”

Pa smiles, his brown eyes twinkling as he runs a hand over his white beard to cover his grin while glancing at my mom.

“You sound just like your father,” Ma laughs, shaking her head and placing a plate in front of me.

I grin, picking up my fork and winking at my dad.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Ma rambles on,taking bites of food in between updates and not wasting a single moment of her twenty minutes.

It’s a struggle to steer the conversation back to work.

“Any questions?” I ask, wrapping up the updates.

“Has Quinn Baxter been vetted?” Pa asks, studying her application file.

“Yes, I had a phone interview with her this morning. Based on that alone, I would have hired her. But she’ll be here next week for an in-person interview with you both.”

Ma looks disappointed, clearing the table as she talks. “She’s not from around here?”

“No, but she’s willing to relocate at her own expense.”

Pa nods and passes the file back to me.

Glancing at the clock, I stand up with a sigh. “I have a call with Mr.Henderson in ten minutes, but I can walk you out.”

They pack up their things while Ma goes back to gossiping about her book club.

“What book are you reading?” I ask as we head down the hallway towards the tasting room.

“It’s by a newer author, Lilly Mathews! It’s her second book and was recommended in Whitney West’s last newsletter!” Ma gushes.

Having grown up with her devouring romance novels, I knew she would love Whitney West when I discovered her a few years ago.

I put my arm around Ma’s shoulders as we reach the tasting room. “I didn’t know Lilly released another one. I’ll have to borrow it from you at some point. Not that I’ve even had a second to finish the book I’ve been reading since Christmas,” I say with a gasp, stopping next to a display of bottles and turning Ma towards me. “Guess who else was at the resort where Noah and I were over Christmas break? Lilly Mathews and her fiancé!”

Ma’s eyes widen in surprise and she playfully swats my arm. “And you’re just now telling me this?”

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