Page 26 of Untethered Heart
Is… my Viking *crying emoji*
CLAIRE:
The arsehole contractor I’ve been emailing for the last eight weeks is the same man I’ve been riding into oblivion to work out the very frustrations he’s been the reason for!
ME:
Seriously? How did you not know this any earlier?
CLAIRE:
We’d only spoken through email. Another guy is my site supervisor, who I always see here.
ME:
What about his name on the emails?
CLAIRE:
His email says Lee Connors. When I was coming on his dick, he made me call him Leif. Apparently, Lee is a nickname.
Well, shit. Looks like we’ve both had some interesting encounters with men lately.
CLAIRE:
Lex, this man has fucked my arse figuratively and literally. You should see the smug look on this dickwad’s face.
I chuckle at her words. This project just got a lot more interesting. At least it’s nearing the end, with only a few weeks left until it’s completed. I’m about to tell her just that when my brother’s name flashes across the screen.
“Hey, Dyl,” I say when I finally answer the phone.
“Hey, Guppy. Can you talk?”
I reach over to push the office door shut and lean back in my chair. “Yep, I’ve got a few minutes. What’s up?”
“I sent your proposal to Isabelle, the marketing manager at the investment company.” I can hear his excitement bubble through the line. “They want to offer us an official contract. We did it, Lex! Legacy Malt is happening.”
Goose bumps cover my arms in relief. A few weeks ago, Dylan came up to the city, taking samples of Legacy Malt to various clubs and bars, hoping to get a supplier outside of our small town of Killara Bay. One of those places put him in touch with an investor who wanted to see our business plans. I begged Dylan to give me their name so I could make sure they were legit, but he promised they were the real deal. At least he hasn’t signed any contracts, not that he can without me. I’ll be making sure I review the contract carefully before I let my brother get a pen near it.
“Dylan, this is amazing! Who’s the investor?”
“They invited us to a signing party in a few weeks. You can find out then.”
I groan and start to protest, but my brother’s next words make me pause. “I feel like this is the peace I’ve needed since Dad died, Lex,” he whispers, and my eyes fill with tears. I tip my head back, willing them not to fall.
“He’d be so proud of you, Dyl.” A rogue tear escapes, and I bat it away quickly.
“And you, Guppy. Top of your class, a degree under your belt. Man, he’d be in awe of you. Of the beautiful and kind woman you grew up to be.” The tears free-fall now.
“Jeez, you’ve turned me into a puddle,” I laugh. “What’s with all the nice words?”
“Just feeling happy, sis. We’ll sign in two weeks. I’ll send you the details so you can make sure you’re off work.”
“Okay.” I smile as there’s a knock on the door, followed by James Huxley. I quickly wipe at my cheeks, sniffling in some composure.
“Hey, Dylan, I gotta go.”
“No worries. Love you. Talk soon.”
