Page 44 of Broken Grump

“See?” she says with a cocky grin after I fail to make a comeback.

“Yeah, yeah.” I look out at her in the corner of my eyes.

But when I see Randall start to approach again, I sit up straight and wrap my arm around the back of her chair.

“So sorry about that.”

“It’s really no trouble. Everything okay?”

He flicks his wrist. “Oh, yeah. But I have to apologize again because I do need to get going. Duty calls.”

“Right.” I hope to God if he’s actually listening to me, that it doesn’t have to do with our land.

When the server makes her way over again, Randall asks for a box.

“Although, I would love to continue this conversation.”

That’s a good sign.

“If you and your lovely wife are free, there’s going to be a casual get-together at our family’s cabin this Sunday afternoon. We’d love for you to join us.”

“Oh, no,” Addie protests. “My abuelo always said that business and family shouldn’t mix.”

Zip it!

Randall smiles and shakes his head. “Well, it’s too late for that, I’m afraid. Several of my associates and their families are already going to be there. So, no worries. You won’t stick out or anything. Come on, it’ll be the perfect way for us to get to know each other better.”

“Wonderful. We’ll be there,” I agree, but soon feel the pressing of long fingernails into my arm.

“Actually, we’ll have to check our plans first.”

“Oh. Well, no problem. Hayden, you have my number.”

“That I do.” With a salute, I see him off, and then my attention focuses back on Addie. “What the hell was that?”

She shrugs her shoulders. “I have a child, Hayden. And with it being a weekend, I don’t have anyone to watch her.”

“Can’t you get a babysitter?” I ask, perhaps somewhat naively.

Through clenched teeth, she responds, “I don’t know anyone in the area.”

“Well, you can bring her.”

She laughs out loud. “And tell her what?Hey baby, this is going to be your pretend daddy for the day.” After she says that, her eyes dart between my own.

“I don’t know. I mean, no. Of course, not that. But we’ll figure something else out. I promise. We’re partners in this, remember?”

She winces. “Don’t remind me. Anyway, I need to go. I can just order an Uber.”

I lift my hand and put it over her phone’s screen.

“No, no. I told you I’d get you back to the subsidiary, and I’m going to hold my word—just like a model husband would.”

Her vision narrows, and she makes a funny face. “How chivalrous of you.”

Chapter fourteen

Addie

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