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)
He sighs and leans against the counter, scrubbing his face. “I didn’t mean to bite your head off. I just want this to go perfectly. I want us all to have the success that we deserve.”
I grab his shoulder and nod. “We already have success, don’t forget that. This party is monumental, I’m not denying that, but don’t dismiss what we’ve accomplished already. You allow the world to fall on your shoulders, but Cal, we’re all in this together. We all know exactly what needs to be done to show the Mayor and his guests that we truly are the fucking best. Trust in that.”
He smiles, shaking his head. “You might be a master in the kitchen, but you’re also a genius with words. Thanks, man.”
After our talk, Callum leaves and hopefully has relaxed a little. I continue to stay busy in the kitchen, making sure I don’t disappoint anyone tonight. I haven’t seen Anya since I walked out of her office and damn I miss her already.
The party is in full swing and it is going as perfectly as Callum and Anya hoped for. The food has been served and my job is over, but I won’t leave. Just like every party I’ll be here long after closing with Anya.
I decided to step out of the kitchen and watch from afar. I’ve been watching Callum talking and laughing with all the big wigs in the room. He fits in perfectly with them. I’ve been watching Tripp bust his ass to stay on top of everything and it makes me smile thinking he’s taking my advice. I watched Brock and Shepherd serve the new beer and the looks of amazement on everyone’s face that tasted it.
But what I’ve really been focused on is Anya. The way she flawlessly carries herself as the professional woman she is. How she interacts with each person is different and it’s mesmerizing to watch. The way her face lights up when she’s given a compliment or the sound of her laughter escaping the room. The way she lights up the room just by stepping into it. She’s breathtaking and I find myself leaning against the wall to keep from falling to my knees.
She’s now talking to the Mayor with a huge smile on her face that has my heart racing. I pull out my phone and grin.
Damn baby, you look almost as sexy talking to the Mayor as you do naked in my bed.
I smile as I hit send and glance up to watch her reaction. She rests her hand on her pocket and I know she felt her phone vibrate. I peek down at my phone and my smile slips.
“No, no, no. Fuck no,” I whisper, staring at the text.
I didn’t send it to just Anya, I sent it to the group text. With everyone. I still had it pulled up from earlier and accidentally sent it through to that.
“Fuck,” I whisper, running my hand through my hair.
I glance around as my heart feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest. Tripp catches my eye and laughs. Fuck. Brock looks at his phone and his brow dips. Shepherd left after serving the beer.
Just as I turn to make a run for it, Callum comes out of his office, pulling his phone from his pocket.
“Fuck,” I whisper.
He reads the text and looks at me before glancing over at the Mayor. It takes him all of three seconds to put it all together before he’s rushing toward me.
“You son of a bitch,” he shouts.
He goes to take a swing, but I grab his arm and shake my head. “Please, not here. Everyone at the party will see and it will ruin our reputation.”
He gives a humorless laugh as his eyes narrow. “You think I give a fuck about your reputation when you’ve been fucking my sister. My sister, Griffin. You broke a promise, you son of a bitch. You’re lucky I don’t kill you right now,” he shouts.
Anya glances over when she hears the commotion and excuses herself from the Mayor.
“Callum, let me explain,” I rush out.
He grabs onto my chef’s coat, pulling me closer to his face. “You’re a fucking liar. I don’t want to hear shit you have to say. You stay away from me and my sister. I’m not asking you, I’m fucking telling you. If I so much as see you look in her direction, I will fucking kill you.”
“Callum, stop it,” Anya says, trying to pull him off me and push us out of the room.
“Anya, don’t,” I plead.
“Don’t fucking talk to her,” he hisses.
Brock and Tripp rush over at this point. I’m humiliated at the scene that is being caused.
“Callum, what the hell, let go of him,” Brock says, trying to get between us.
“Brock, I deserve it,” I say.