Page 45 of The Estate
He looked up, noticing her twisting her hands and licking her lips. How could he be angry and frustrated while still feeling attracted to this woman?
“I appreciate you coming to tell me,” he said, still struggling with the rage that boiled just below the surface. He couldn’t be near her right now. He would either take his emotions out on her or stand around struck dumb with his attraction to her. Neither option was very appealing.
“I’m gonna go,” he said. “I just need to take a walk. Think through some things.”
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Yes. Please excuse me.” He pivoted and headed toward the patio doors. Looking back, he said, “And Rachel, thank you again for the coffee and pastry. It was very considerate of you. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
She forced a smile, and he slipped out the door. It wasn’t until he was overlooking the ocean that he took his first deep breath, forcing himself to slow down.
He was surprised by how deeply Rachel’s news affected him. He thought he had come to terms with his parents’ constant disapproval and dismissal. By now, he should be immune. Guess he hadn’t fully let that go.
Or maybe it was that it had come from Rachel. It felt like she diminished him too. Not even consulting him on putting new software in place. He could see where he’d assumed a lot. And she was right. It was unfair of him to be upset about the project functioning as it was. She was here to do a job. And her job was to serve her clients—his parents.
The hardest part was, even with telling himself all that, it still hurt that she appeared to be siding with his parents. He didn’t want to create that association, but questioned whether it was possible to divorce the two.
He stood there listening to the ocean, letting the sounds of the waves roll over him. Wishing they could wash away his thoughts.
Chapter Fifteen
Dinner with Friends
Rachel watched Cal disappear through the doors, uncertain about whether to catch up with him to yell, hug, or kick him. At this point, all three seemed like a distinct possibility. Gathering up her blondie, she took a Thanksgiving cookie as well. She’d leave the other one for Cal. Not that he deserved it, but Mrs. S should get as much feedback as she wanted.
After dropping the cookies on Cal’s desk, she walked out to her car, eating the last bit of the PBF blondie. Leave it to Cal to ruin her stress eating by piling on all sorts of new stress. At this rate, she’d have to buy them by the dozen.
Looking at her watch, she determined there wasn’t enough time to return to the office. She’d head home to change before dinner with Lisa, Lottie, and Adam. Maybe a drive would help clear her mind.
Except the trip home did nothing to settle her thoughts. The opposite, in fact. When she arrived at Lisa and Lottie’s house, she’d wound herself into a tight ball of conflicting emotions. She grabbed the tray of veggies and hummus she put together and walked around to the back.
Her spirits picked up just hearing their combined laughter as she rounded the corner. Thank goodness. Nothing got her out of her head better than spending time with good friends.
As she walked up the deck stairs, she stopped and stared. “Lisa,” she called. “Do you realize Adam is at the grill… cooking? Your grill?”
Lisa shrugged, “I allow it.”
Lottie leaned across the table to pat Lisa’s hand. “Your sacrifice and flexibility are duly noted.”
Rachel chuckled as she crossed to give Adam a quick one-armed hug before setting down her tray and taking a seat at the table. “How’s the wedding gown business coming along, Lottie?” Rachel asked.
Hearing Lottie talk about her current projects was everything she needed in that moment. It was amazing to witness her being so animated about doing something she obviously loved.
Adam put a glass down before her.
He gave a half smile. “I assumed you were having the sangria. No? I can get you something else.”
“No. No,” she blurted. “It just startled me, is all. I didn’t see you go inside. Sangria is exactly what I need. I hope you made it a double.”
Adam nodded, detouring to give Lottie a kiss before heading back to the grill. It was a quick exchange, but it made Rachel ache. She wanted what Adam and Lottie had—their closeness and obvious support, and the way they treated each other. There was mutual respect and passion but also a gentleness that spoke of deep caring.
They also seemed to have an entire conversation in just a glance. It was a couple thing that had always eluded her. His casual smirk, her answering blush. The way he trailed his hand across her back, and she leaned into his arm.
It was gone in a flash but left Rachel longing to have that level of intimacy with someone. Where a simple touch spoke volumes. A shared look was a moment of deep connection. When words weren’t required to feel fully supported and surrounded by love.
“A double?” Lisa asked, pulling her from her thoughts.
“Oh yeah,” she said. “It’s been a day of sorts. I got into an argument with Cal.” Seeing her friends’ looks of concern, she walked through how today had unrolled at the office and the estate.
