Page 90 of Easy Reunion
The next day,Callie and her new business partner, Adam, have just signed the papers in front of Vince and another of my paralegals, Amanda. “Did you ever think this would happen?” Callie murmurs, leaning against Adam’s shoulder as Vince stamps and seals the documents transferring half ownership of The Odyssey to Adam.
He shakes his head. “Never. Then again, there’s a lot in the last year I never expected.” He picks up her left hand and squeezes it. “It’s been a great year.”
“The best,” she readily concurs. A happy silence steals over the room when Vince stands from the conference room table.
“All set. All that’s left is to pay the state when you file these.” He holds out his hand first to Callie and then to Adam. “Congratulations. I’m a huge fan of your place. I can’t wait to see what you do with it.”
“Thank you.” Callie grins. “Both of you.”
Just then, my cell buzzes in my pocket. Pulling it out, I frown when I see it’s Kelsey. Pressing Accept, I answer, “Hey, Kels. Problem?”Other than the fact I have no idea what’s leaving you looking so broken in bed by the time I get home, I think.
Her soft voice is both a balm and a whip when she says, “Other than missing you, things are perfect. I don’t suppose you’re free for lunch?”
With a long, drawn-out sigh, I spy the stack of work that’s come in from overseas since last night that I only scratched at before Callie and Adam came into my office. “I really can’t, sweetheart. My office looks like a poorly filed archives storage.”
Her soft laugh lets me know once again I’m forgiven for being distant. I’m going to have to make up my behavior somehow soon, but how do I explain that something she wasn’t the cause of has sent me into an emotional tailspin? Instead, I offer, “When this craziness is over, I’m going to plan something special for us.” I don’t know where that promise came from, but down to my soul, I mean it.
“As long as I get to spend time holding you, Ry, I don’t need anything.” And just like that, she destroys me.
Avidly aware of the people still in my office, I gently let her know, “I have people in here.”
“And that’s my cue to let you go before I turn a brighter shade of pink. Good thing I didn’t drop by.”
The laughter that follows abruptly dies when I say, “Yeah, this is a crap week for unannounced guests.”
Kelsey’s “Oh” seems to reverberate over and over in my head. “Well, I’ll let you get back to it.”
“Kelsey…” But before I can tell her I love and miss her, she’s hung up. Before I lower the phone, signifying the end of my call, I replay what I said to her.
God, I sounded like such a detached jackass. I need to send her more than flowers, but what? While I’m pondering the question, a feminine voice breaks through my reverie. “So, since you’re refusing our money for everything you did, Ry, Adam and I would like to steal you for a quick bite as a thank-you,” Callie declares.
Having just said no to Kelsey, I immediately decline. “Thank you, but no. I have an insane amount of work to do…”
Adam gets in on the act. “Dude, we’ll be in and out. Besides, we have to get to the bar soon. Let us do this for you.”
Just then, my stomach decides to add its vote, growling loudly. With a sigh, I mentally debate calling Kelsey to meet us before realizing she’s probably going to need time to get ready. Giving up, I throw up my hands, still holding my connection to Kelsey in one. “What were you both thinking?”
Together they exclaim, “Muffulettas!”
I laugh, knowing the antics at The Odyssey are just going to increase as the size of the bar grows. “Let’s go. I have to be back soon.”
