Page 65 of Outcast
I watched him for a long minute—until he glanced over, questions in his eyes. I smiled sheepishly. “Just admiring the view. Be right back.”
I forced myself to leave the room before I did something ridiculous like invite him to stay the night. That wasn’t what this was. We’d just had that conversation.
Emory was exploring his bisexuality, and I was the lucky asshole who got to help him do it. And considering all the baggage with our loan, it was best that no feelings were involved.
Especially when I didn’t know if we’d save the business—or how long I’d stay in Riverton.
I’d never leave my brothers in the lurch, but eventually, they wouldn’t need me anymore. When that day came—when I was no longer welcome in their home—I’d have to hit the road again.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Emory
I watched the coffeemaker,hoping it would hurry the hell up. My cousin, Shayla, raised an eyebrow at my tapping foot.
“Uncle Jim is looking for you.”
“I know.”
“He told me to send you his way if I saw you.” The coffeemaker finally started streaming pale brown liquid into my cousin’s owl-shaped mug. “So…have I seen you?”
I grimaced. “At least let me have some coffee first.”
I already knew Dad wanted to meet about the Forrester situation. The same one I had made no progress on because I was stalling for time.
My stomach twisted uncomfortably. He wouldn’t be happy I was dragging my feet.
But you don’t live to please him in every way. Right?
Shayla picked up her mug and sipped her dark coffee. Finally, I could open the top of the maker and pop in my own pod. So bad for the environment. Grandpa was right. An old-school coffeepot would be better. Plus, I could grab a cup of coffee without standing around waiting to be?—
“Emory!” Dad called from the doorway. “Let’s talk when you’re done here.”
Busted.
I turned, smiling weakly. “You got it.”
Shayla shook her head. “You look so stressed. I don’t get it. You’ve got the dream job. You work for Uncle Jim, who’s a teddy bear if I ever met one. I’dloveto do your job.”
I’d love for you to do it.
“You’re a natural at marketing,” I said instead. “Which reminds me, could you set up a sponsorship for my class reunion? With me being involved, it won’t look right if we don’t contribute.”
“Sure, but stop stalling.” She waved to my coffee cup, now brimming with amber liquid. “You’ve got very important work to do.”
I didn’t miss her little eye roll. Shayla was great at her job—but she’d always been a little jealous of my place here. If she knew how much I’d love to hand her my job, she’d probably be more annoyed. She was so perfectly suited to this business, and yet, I was the one who’d own it one day.
I grabbed my cup and took a quick sip of my bland French vanilla brew. “You’re important too, Shay. You do great work here.”
“Really?” She seemed surprised by the compliment.
“Yes. You’re amazing at wrangling all those campaigns,” I said. “I’ll catch you later about that sponsorship, okay?”
She nodded. “Sure. You know where to find me.”
I carried my coffee to my office, but Dad was already there, waiting.
“You’re not in your office,” I said, trying not to sound as if I’d been planning to hide a bit longer.
