Page 27 of The Spring in My Heart

He straightens up and levels with me with a look. “It would’ve been nice to know this earlier in the week.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry. It came up today.”

“A lot of things seem to be changing in between the meetings that keep getting canceled.” The edge in his voice makes my spine stiffen.

“I’m—”

“Sorry. Yes, I know. This is a big project, and it’s not my only one. I am trying to deliver a great product in the time I promised, but between all the canceled, postponed, and delayed-by-the-hour meetings, it’s really challenging.”

“I didn’t mean to take so long today, but my work meeting went over and?—”

“I get that, but this is the third time this week that something has come up. How can I deliver the product if this keeps happening?”

“It’s the last time. After the changes from today, nothing major will fluctuate.”

“I hope so, but we’ll have to wait till you consult with Cam and he approves it so we can order the materials. The stores don’t carry these exclusive things you want to add. I also need to put a stop to what’s already been ordered.”

Damn, he’s really pissed off. I need to fix this.

“I get that, and I apologize again. The delay is my fault, and I’m willing to assume the cost of it. Please hire more people if need be so we can finish this on the time agreed. Go ahead and put a stop to the old material and order the new one. You can also put a rush on it. If there’s an extra fee, I’ll pay it. No big deal.”

His lips go flat. “Fine, but you explain to Cam about this.”

For some reason, that sets me off. “Why do you keep bringing up my brother in this? This is none of his business. All he is doing is advising me when necessary.”

“And footing the bill.”

“Where the hell did you get the idea that Cam is paying? My brother may have asked you to take this job because I don’t know any contractors in the area and am normally not into home renovations, but he’s not paying you for this. I am. From my money. The only person you need to concern yourself with is me.”

He seems taken aback for a few moments but recovers quickly. “I’m sorry for my assumption. He seems to be keen on the budget and keeping things within a certain amount.”

I nod and try to temper my voice. “Because he knows the budget that Chase, as my financial advisor, and I allocated to this. Cam wants to keep me to it. But things have changed. I am no longer tied to that budget. I can move it around and double it if I see fit.”

“It’s nice that you’re rich and can throw around money as you please, but there’s also my time that you keep putting off. You cancel meetings to go to parties in New York, and I lose clients and opportunities while waiting for you. I can’t get that time or the opportunities back because you decide this is not important enough.” His tone is stern, like I’m a child who broke one of his precious rules.

And I see red. Fuck this. He’s basically calling me spoiled, judging me, and chastising me. After what I went through last night, I’m not in the mood to put up with chauvinistic shit.

“You know what, Oliver? You no longer have to worry about this project and missing opportunities because of me. Please send me a bill me for the work you’ve done so far and make sure to include the hours you’ve wasted waiting on me.”

His head rears back. “What?”

“We’re done here. Please see yourself out.”

Ollie

My whole fucking day has been one disaster after another after I left Luciana’s house. She kept me waiting for an hour, then pissed me off even more by being flippant about my time and effort. She put the cherry on top by firing me when I wasn’t catering to her rich-girl whims.

She fucking fired me.

I left there practically chewing on glass, only to find out a toilet erupted in Winter and Grayson’s house because the neighbor downstairs hired an unlicensed plumber who caused a backup in the pipes. I’ve had to go supervise it myself and make sure both the neighbor’s and Winter and Grayson’s pipes were working well—not without me and my crew getting doused by the excrement water. So, I came home smelling and feeling like literal shit.

I wasn’t even able to go to practice or pick up Ayla from school. Cam had to do that for me. I don’t ever miss my daughter’s practices, or games, or anything.

I fumed all the way to his house, dreading having to see him because his sister already probably told him about firing me. I’ve never been fired before. I’m so embarrassed I don’t know where to put my head. But when I got there, Cam was all smiles.

He couldn’t stop gushing about A’s arm and how he thinks she may be ready to learn the cutter. My heart grew so big it gave me my first smile all day since Luciana opened her door looking like a model in a reggaeton video.

I guess Cam hasn’t spoken to her yet. He even invited me to dinner with them. Maybe he knows how his sister is.

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