Page 21 of Wrapped Up in You
“I have no doubt we will. Johnny’s already looking at houses. We’re slowly outgrowing the penthouse apartment.” Winnie takes a sip of the non-alcoholic margarita in her hand.
“Aunt Lettie and I can be the backup singers,” Briar offers up Lettie, and from the look in her eyes that are as wide as saucers, it’s clear Bri knows more than Lettie has told the group. Interesting, very interesting.
We spend the rest of the evening chatting, drinking, and eating. When it’s time for us all to say goodbye, it takes twice as long as usual, and everyone is prolonging the process. The girls are already planning a brunch without their male counterparts, and I’m more than happy my woman is enjoying our group.
15
SERENA
“Serena, can you come to my office, please,” Crew says when I answer my desk phone. It hasn’t rung the entire time I’ve been at my small cubicle-like office all week. Truth be told, I hate being out in the open where everyone can stop on their way to and from. It’s also super nosey and makes me want to wear headphones non-stop.
“Of course, I’ll be right up, Mr. Garrison,” I reply before putting the receiver in the cradle. I tidy up my desk, hit the sleep button on my computer, straighten my clothes, and head up the stairs to Crew’s office.
I hear a few whispers along the way. It could be for a multitude of reasons, which I’m not delving into today, or tomorrow for that matter. I might have only been here for a couple of weeks, but I’ve worked tirelessly like the rest of my peers. The only difference that they’re physically aware of is the project Crew allowed me to work on with him for Shae and Coralynn. It’s not my fault people choose to gossip. I opted to wear a black dress with a cardigan, along with some ballet flats. It allows me the mobility to move with ease through the hallway,up the staircase, and toward Crew’s area, where Mary is sitting out in the open.
“Hello Mary, is it okay to go in?” I ask when she notices me.
“Hi Serena, I sure do miss you up here. He’s awfully grumpy when you’re not around. Head on in. The meeting for LITHE is about to get started.” Crew being a bear is news to me, and honestly, it surprises me.
“Thank you, and I’m sorry about his behavior. I’m not sure I can do much about that,” I reply.
“Oh, honey, you will one day.” Mary sends me a wink along with a smile before getting back to work. I allow myself into Crew’s office, relishing the soft lighting instead of the overhead fluorescent the downstairs building has.
“Hi,” I say, catching everyone’s attention.
“Hey, sweetheart.” Crew opens his hand for me to take, gathering me into his side and kissing the side of my head.
“I’m Coralynn. You know Shae and Luke, the other two lovebirds in the room. I’m going to get right to the point. I’m the filter-less sister, and while Shae will try to apologize for my demeanor, what you see is what you get. Which, by the way, I love the plan you came up with. Incorporating the old with new, natural lighting, and splitting it into two rooms but giving it an open feel. It’s really freaking amazing.” Coralynn gives me a quick hug.
“What she said, ten-fold,” Shae states as she embraces me. Luke does the same thing, and them I’m deposited back to where I belong—with Crew.
“Crew better watch out, or he’ll be put out of work before too long.”
“Well, shit, maybe I should retire now,” he says with a chuckle.
“Are we going to be able to get the plans approved with the historical society?” Shae asks, worrying her bottom lip.
“I don’t see why not. The skylights might be the only problem. Then again, it’s a rough. It doesn’t ruin the integrity of the building, and it can’t be seen from the road.” Crew goes right into work mode, making me suddenly lick my dry lips. It’s dangerous to be this close with people around when he gets me fired up from being this close to him.
“All that’s left to do is send them to Jagger as long as Shae and Coralynn sign off on the plans.”
“Where do I sign? I have places to be and people to fuck with,” Coralynn says with a flick of her wrist.
“Yeah, a certain doctor,” Shae murmurs beneath her breath. Too bad it isn’t low enough for only her sister to hear.
“She has his dick in knots. It’s kind of fun watching your sister give him a run for his money.” I quirk an eyebrow because I’m out of the loop.
“Doctor Anthony Gallo is Luke’s partner. Coralynn likes to be chased, and he has no problem catching her,” Crew gives me the scoop.
“He hasn’t yet.” Coralynn is a hoot, and I can tell if she and Talia ever got together, they’d be nothing but trouble.
“He will.” This comes from Luke.
“Alright, if something should need to be changed because of planning and zoning, you know we’ll work with them as well as Jagger.” I change the subject with a quickness. Coralynn looks to be getting antsy from talking about her love life, or lack thereof.
Crew grabs his tablet off his desk, and they go through the process of electronically signing off on the project.
“I’m taking care of the bill,” Luke says when the women are done. Both turn their gaze on him and look at Luke as if he has two heads.
