Page 21 of Unforgettable

“I’m a financial advisor and I’m able to be here right now because I’ve established relationships with my clients and they trust me whether I’m sitting in front of them or not. That’s what I intend to do here in the next six months, and I was under the understanding—an assumption that I should not have made based on his pay and title—that Albert would be that man. I haven’t even been here a week and I know that’s not the case. It should be you, Scarlett.”

I pause, waiting for an indication that she’s listening. She’s staring into space and her chest is still rising and falling in a distracting and compelling way. Torture.

I clear my throat. “I’ve been going over the files, seeing how many changes you’ve implemented over the years, heard the respect the employees have for you…and I’d like to put together a compensation package that shows how valuable you are around here…or at least a good start on that…and for you to consider staying on as general manager for good.”

Someone yells outside, but otherwise, it’s utter silence in here besides the ticking from the small crystal clock that sits on her desk.

“No,” she says softly.

“No?” I echo, clearly not understanding what’s going on here because when she finally looks up at me, her eyes are unbearably sad.

Almost lost.

“But…you love it here. You never wanted to leave, and you don’t have to. I already have a plan for bringing in more revenue that will more than cover your compensation if that’s what you’re worried about. I can show you what I’ve already started drawing up.”

“No, thank you,” she says, her voice tired. She glances at the clock and leans up. “I have to go.”

She stands and grabs her coat and purse from the hook near the door, and she walks out, leaving me wondering where the hell I went wrong.

CHAPTERELEVEN

PERSPECTIVE

SCARLETT

I’m about to leave to meet Holly and April when I’m ambushed by my brothers.

Callum pokes his head in my office first, which is enough to make me race toward him, asking him what’s wrong. It’s rare that he leaves the ranch.

“Nothin’, just figured you couldn’t avoid us here.” He puts his arm around my shoulder and his cheeks lift with his smile.

I tuck into his soft flannel shirt, wrapping my arm around his waist to squeeze him.

“Us?” I ask.

My brothers tease Callum for never smiling, but he smiles at me all the time, and I always melt. My gruff brother is a softie underneath the growl, but I think Grinny and I are the only ones he lets it show. And Owen, our nephew.

Wyatt and Theo walk in next, and just like that, my office is loud. I hug Wyatt and then go for Theo but take a step back when I get closer, wrinkling up my nose. He’s still in his long-sleeve coveralls from work.

“We should probably skip the hug. Sorry, it’s been a day. You don’t want to know,” he says, making a face.

“It’s probably too late since I’ve already inhaled your stank, but stay over there.” Wyatt points at the space across from him. “I don’t know if I’ll have time to change before my shift.”

Theo pretends to be offended while going to the farthest corner of the room. “How’s that, little precious.”

Wyatt’s nose twitches. “I can still smell you, ya filthy bastard.”

I hurriedly shut my door. It’s not like they’re a rowdy bunch…in public, they’re more on the mellow, aloof side—or as April calls them, the sexiest enigmas of Landmark, ew—but when we’re together, they’re as goofy as anyone else. And wouldn’t know the meaning of a whisper or using inside voices. They’re the worst to watch movies with, especially Sutton and the way he dissectseverything. He’s the last one to walk in, opening my door wide and holding his hands in the air like he’s hot snot.

“Okay, the judge has arrived. We can call this meeting to order,” Wyatt says dryly.

Wyatt takes his coat off and is in the mossy green scrubs that match his eyes. When I first saw him in them, I accused him of becoming a doctor at Pine Community just so he could wear those scrubs.

If there were degrees on a facial hair and apparel spectrum, Callum would be on the far left with his beard and all things comfortable, and Sutton would be on the far right side of fancy with his three-piece cashmere and wool suit and cleanly shaven face…with Theo and Wyatt somewhere between the two.

“What’s up?” I ask, hugging Sutton and dropping back down on my heels to grin at my brothers.

I’ve been crazy about them my whole life and still get a rush of dopamine when we’re all together.

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