Page 9 of The Dallas Dilemma

I don’t know. Maybe.

CHAPTER FOUR

Dallas

I walkinto O’Malley’s right on time for my meeting with Linc Manning, and my eyes scan the busy dining room as I try to find him. We haven’t met in person, yet, but we did have a couple of video calls during the hiring process, so I know what he looks like.

I spot him at a table in the back near a small stage, and he must feel my eyes on him because his gaze snaps over to meet mine. He grins and lifts a hand in a wave, so I wave back before navigating my way through the crowded room. When I reach the table, I see he’s not alone.

“Dallas,” he says, shaking my hand before waving me into an empty chair. “It’s great to finally meet you, man. This is my brother,Royal.”

I shake Royal’s outstretched hand, and his grin is almost identical to Linc’s. “Sorry to crash your meeting. My little brother took pity on me and invited me to join after I whined about being bored and lonely. My girlfriend is having her friends over tonight for a girls’ night, and I wasn’t invited. I got tossed aside like yesterday’s takeout.”

“So dramatic,” Linc says with an exaggerated eye roll.

Royal chuckles, and I smile. His mention of a girls’ night makes me think of Josette and her plans for tonight. It’s just a coincidence, I’m sure. Grenville is smaller than L.A., sure, but it’s notthatsmall.

“What do you think of Grenville, so far?” Linc asks while pouring beer into a fresh glass from one of the pitchers on the table.

“Thanks,” I say when he passes it my way. “I like it, a lot. It feels sort of homey. More of a tight-knit community than my old neighborhood in L.A., that’s for sure.”

“What area are you from?” Royal asks before taking a sip of his beer.

“Culver city,” I say, and he nods.

“I attend a conference in Santa Monica every other year,” he says. “It’s a nice area.”

“And expensive,” I say, knowing what he’s too polite to ask. “My parents left me their condo after they both passed, or I’d never be able to afford the area on a carpenter’s salary.”

Owning a home on a single salary is a feat pretty much anywhere in southern California, but in West L.A., it’s damn near impossible, especially for a tradesman, likeme. Hell, the property taxes, alone, are hard to manage. If this works out, and I decide to stay in Grenville, I’ll have to consider selling the property.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Linc and Royal say, almost in sync, and I offer them a small smile.

“Thank you.”

Losing my parents was hard. I was a late-in-life baby, but I never expected to lose them both in their mid-sixties. And within two years of each other, too. A few years have passed since then, and though the pain is still present, it’s not as rough and raw anymore.

“Should we order some food?” I ask after clearing my throat, desperate to change the subject.

“Do you like chicken nachos?” Royal asks, arching a single dark brow in my direction.

“Of course,” I say. “What’s not to love?”

“Good answer,” he mumbles, and Linc laughs.

“Happy to hear it since this guy already ordered a giant platter for the table,” he says, nudging Royal with his elbow.

“Sounds good,” I say, then take a drink of my beer.

“You guys can talk shop, if you need to. Just pretend I’m not here,” Royal offers, and I look toward Linc, who just chuckles and shakes his head.

“Tonight is about meeting and getting to know each other. We can talk shop later,” he says, then nods in my direction. “Unless there’s anything you’d like to discuss, of course.”

“No, I’m good,” I say, holding up my palms.

We’ve talked enough before tonight that I know whathe expects of me. He’s also emailed me the plans for the job we start together on Monday. I think I’m fully prepared.

“So, were you dating anyone back in L.A.?” Royal asks when the silence stretches for a beat too long.

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