Page 15 of The Billionaire Player

“I can make that work.”

“Good. I’ll see you then. We will discuss our future working relationship and the parameters of your access to me and this article you are so set on publishing then.”

Chapter 7

JD

“So nice of you to join us,” Walker said as I arrived at the table where he and Mac were sitting.

“When my brother calls and tells me he wants to have lunch with me and has some important news he wants to share, I make time,” I said as I sat down.

I couldn’t tell if Walker was being sarcastic or if he was genuinely happy that I had made the time to have lunch. With the restaurant days from opening, I was lucky to have time to eat at all, much less take an hour out of my day.

It was rare for the three of us to meet up for a meal. We would go to our parents’ house for Sunday dinner most weekends and I would meet up with Mac or with Walker for a drink or dinner if our schedules allowed, but it was hardly ever all three of us. I had a feeling I knew why Walker had wanted us to meet, and I couldn’t wait for him to tell us.

“You’re the one who hardly has time for us now,” Mac said.

“I will always make time for my brothers, for my family. The restaurant has been taking up a considerable amount of my time and it will for the foreseeable future. That doesn’t mean I can’t find a way to see you if you need me,” I said.

“We figured. Which was why we thought lunch would work better than dinner. Though I’m not opposed to a late-night meal at your place if your chef is cooking,” Mac said.

“Come on over anytime. You’re always welcome.”

“How is it going? Are you ready to open?” Walker asked.

“We’re getting there. The menu is coming along, the staff is getting acclimated, the two dry runs went well and I’m going to do one more. I think I’m as prepared as I can be,” I said.

The server came over and took our drink orders and as my brothers knew I was pressed for time; we all ordered our meals too. I hated that we had to rush through our meal but I was happy that we were able to at least make the time.

“Why don’t you tell us why you called us here, Walker,” I said once the server had left.

“Did you knock Morgan up?” Mac asked.

“You mean like you did your wife?” he countered.

Mac and Hope had gotten married while they were in Germany not too long after they found out Hope was pregnant.

“It’s one way to keep a woman by your side. It worked for me, maybe you needed some help sealing the deal,” Mac teased.

Walker glared at Mac and I could tell his gentle teasing, if it could be called that, had not gone over well with Walker. They cared about each other, and worked well together in our family’s company. They would be there for each other without hesitation, but they just weren’t as close as either one of them wanted to be. They were working on it, but it was and always would be a work in progress.

“If he did, it wasn’t from lack of trying, I’m sure,” I said with a smile.

Walker turned his glare to me and shook his head. “I don’t know why I even bother. To think, I thought you two would be a bit more respectable to my future fiancé,” he said.

“Ha! You owe me ten bucks!” Mac said and slapped the table.

“You placed a bet on me?” Walker tried to look cross but failed and let out a short laugh.

“I had you already engaged, Mac had you wanting to get engaged and looking for our blessing,” I said.

“The last thing I need from you two is your blessing,” Walker muttered.

“Really? Then why are you telling us before you’ve done it or even told Mom and Dad?” Mac asked.

“I thought you might want to know. Share in my happiness,” Walker countered.

“We do, that’s assuming the woman agrees to marry you,” I teased.

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