Page 61 of Wild Fires

She laughed again, but this time she at least got up. As she was walking by me, she wrapped an arm around my neck and leaned down to whisper.

“You always have a choice, big brother.”

I was still stewing when she returned a short time later with two to-go containers in a bag and a drink carrier with two sodas.

“I'm not that hungry,” I complained.

“One's for you. The other's for her.” She winked at me then waltzed away to tend to a customer.

I begrudgingly took the food and drinks and left.

A short time later, I was walking into my office with it all.

“Hey boss, Gracie Montgomery is waiting for you in your office. Insisted she had a meeting with you, but it's not on the calendar. She's quite persistent. She's always been a brat.”

“Sorry. I arranged it before going to get lunch.”

I held out my hands to show her the food.

“One of those for me?”

I cringed and she laughed.

“No worries, boss. I already ate. You're off the hook this time.”

“I forgot you and Gracie are cousins.”

“Yeah, but we were never all that close. She was a fun kid, but after her parents died, she sort of locked herself away from everyone. I barely even recognized her because it's been so long since I last saw her.”

I considered that for a moment, and it left an ache in my heart thinking of her all alone in this world.

“Need me to clear off your calendar for the afternoon?” Jennifer asked, changing the subject before I had to.

“What do I have?”

“Let's see, you have a three o'clock call with Clarence Grimes. Your dad canceled his meeting with you already. Looks like that's it. Want to cancel with Clarence too?”

She was testing me to gauge how long Gracie would be there. I knew Jennifer well. She would never gossip about me, but she'd definitely hold it over my head. If only she knew the truth.

“Keep the call with Clarence. He'll want an update on what Gracie and I are working on.”

“Working?” she asked, sounding disappointed.

“Yes working, so hold my calls unless it's Clarence or an emergency.”

“Yes, sir.”

At least that would put a stop to her speculations.

I walked into my office to find her sitting across from my desk with her foot bouncing nervously up and down.

Taking a deep breath, I gave myself a little pep talk. If I didn't make direct eye contact and kept my distance to ensure we didn't touch or inadvertently encourage the bond between us, then just maybe we'd both come out of this unscathed.

I held up the bags in my hands. “Did you eat? Gia sent you lunch.”

“I thought you were going out to lunch.”

“I did, but my sister wouldn't shut her damn mouth long enough to take my order until it was too late. So when she heard I was meeting with you, she doubled the order.”