Page 259 of Now and Forever

We were in the middle of our lunch when my phone vibrated on the table.

Callum: Are you busy this afternoon?

Callum, texting me during lunch, let alone texting me at all, was odd.

My interest piqued, I quickly typed away on my screen.

Me: It’s manageable. What’s up?

I was about to place it down when it beeped again.

Callum: I have something important to discuss with you. What time are you free?

Okay, now I was beyond curious and slightly alarmed.

Me: I’m actually having lunch somewhere close to your office. Will you be available to talk, say in an hour? I can drop by.

As expected, my phone received his reply in a flash.

Callum: I’ll make time. See you then.

What was so important that he needed to contact me? If there were any financial troubles when it came to my money, he usually took care of it immediately. Was it about a new business venture to invest in? Quite possibly. The last time he contacted me was to talk about putting twenty-five percent of my inheritance in the technology sector. Or maybe it was more serious? I sure hoped not.

Even though I barely saw Callum, he was the only person that was a connection to my past. With him, I got to be reminded of good memories with my brother. Even if we weren’t close, I cared for him.

So whatever was plaguing him to prompt a visit to his office, I prayed to God that it wasn’t anything serious because the last time someone told me that they had something important to discuss with me, my brother told me he was dying.

My stomach churned as the seconds ticked away. I had better get to Callum’s office around St. Paul’s without puking my way into his polished, swanky building.

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