Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
“Griff, that’s not true. You’re like a brother to me. I’m sorry I even let myself think something like that. I know better. You’d never disrespect me or my family. Hell, you’re a part of my family. I’m sorry, all right?”
I appreciate his apology, but it doesn’t change the fact he let himself think I was untrustworthy with his sister.
“Yeah, okay. I need to get this done.”
I hear his footsteps toward the door and he says, “She’s my sister, Griff. I’m sorry.”
I lift my head and pin him in my stare. “Exactly Callum, she’s your sister.”
He nods and walks out of the kitchen.
Well, two anomalies happened tonight. Anya saw Callum smile and I heard him apologize. Just the thought makes me laugh.
I step back and look at what I’ve plated and grin. Yep, this is going to blow them away.
I head back into the kitchen, leaning against the prep counter and pull out my phone.
Saw something rare today.
Brock: Let me guess, Mrs. Capri in a string bikini?
Tripp: That shit is not rare. She’s old enough to be my grandmother, but she’s rockin’ a body on her.
Callum: Tripp, she’s Mom’s bestie. You’re relentless. What did you see, Griff?
Callum actually smiled today.
Shepherd: Oh shit. Call in the papers. Did you snap a pic? That shit would go viral quick.
Callum: Ha ha ha.
Paxton: Seriously? I haven’t seen a rare Callum smile in ages. Haven’t seen a Shep smile in quite a while either.
Shepherd: Quoting the infamous words of Callum, ‘ha ha ha’.
Tripp: Yeah Shep, what’s up? We know why Callum doesn’t smile, but what’s your deal?
Callum: I smile.
Shepherd: No deal, just busy.
Paxton: Busy pouting about his neighbor. Just ask her out already.
Shepherd: She’s back with that ex of hers, and I don’t know.
Tripp: Ouch, sorry. It sucks when somebody you want is with someone else.
Shepherd: It’s fine. I’m over it. So why did Callum smile?
Well, it was actually Anya who caught the smile, but I’m thinking Callum’s finally seeing what we all see. That Anya kicks ass.
Paxton: Agreed.
Tripp: Yeah, she’s okay.
Shepherd: She’s rocking that party room hard.
Callum: We’ll see.
And there you go, ruining it all. Gotta get back to work.
Chapter 5
Anya
I’m swimming with pride. Everything is going perfect, and the guests are having a great time. The food looks so good, that I’m sort of hoping Griffin made enough for me to have a few bites.
I giggle to myself thinking about eating some of the leftover food in the kitchen.
I’m sure grumpy Callum would never allow that.
The thing about Callum is he never goes away. He practically lives at Atta Boy. I mean, I get it, maybe I’d live here too if I had as much at stake as he does. He keeps things running. I just wish sometimes he’d let loose a bit.
But that’ll never happen.
He’s been like this since we were kids.
Bossy. Grumpy. An arrogant a-hole. There, I said it. Asshole.
I giggle to myself again, and realize I probably look like a psycho person standing in the corner of the room giggling while a private party is going on.
It’s Clara Workman’s 60th birthday party, and she’s got all the book club members, their families, and her own personal friends here. It’s a small intimate group, but they’re having a great time.
I step over to where Clara is finishing up her pistachio-crusted grouper. “How’s everything?” I ask her.
She wraps her hand around my arm, gazing up at me with unshed tears in her eyes. “Better than I ever could have imagined. I couldn’t ask for a lovelier evening. Did you see Myrtle even showed?” She glances across the room, and we both smile over at Myrtle who is sitting at another table.
“She even looks happy,” I say with a grin, and quickly add, “Everyone looks happy.”
“Everyone is happy. It’s all because of you. Harold and I love this place. Been coming since it opened, and I think it’s great you all now offer private parties. Our 30th is coming up soon, we might book something.”
I smile at Harold who sits next to her. “We’d love to host it for you.”
“Thank you, dear.”
I step away so they can enjoy the rest of their meal, and walk around to make sure everyone is doing okay.
Even Myrtle laughs. She’s always been the grumpy old lady who lives across town and never comes out of her house, except to go to church on Sundays. It’s almost sad if you think about it. Story is, she worked her whole life for some big company in New York, and never married. Never had any kids. Worked until she finally snapped one day and decided to move to a small town and relax. Maybe one day she’ll enjoy her retirement, and meet somebody new.
I continue crossing the floor, and step over to where a few servers fill bus tubs with dirty dishes to take to the back. “I think once we get all the dinner plates up, we can serve dessert and then we can turn the music up a bit in case anyone wants to dance,” I say to Gabby.