Page 14 of Rivers of Ink
Callan turned and exhaled loudly. “Not really, mate, no.”
Aidy shut the door behind him. “What’s up?”
He explained the contact from Jason and how he planned to come in that afternoon. “Do you think he knew about Xander and Isobel?”
“No-one knew about that and we worked with them every day.” Aidy paused. “Look, I know it’s been difficult for you to think about replacing Xander, this Jason guy could be the answer. Think about it, there’s nothing on the grapevine to say you’re over what happened and you’re moving on. You haven’t advertised to say there’s a job here. Why not let him come in and see what happens?”
As always, Aidy spoke a lot of sense. There was no point in cutting Jason off simply because he responded to something Isobel sent him. Like Alicia, he was probably looking for a break. It didn’t necessarily make it hurt any less though.
“Okay, you’ve convinced me. I’ll talk to him.”
Aidy slapped him on the back. “Good decision, Cal. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Alicia knocked on the office door. Aidy opened it and beckoned her inside. Callan’s gaze swept over her. She was dressed in tight dark blue jeans, spike heeled boots, and a loose, scoop neck t-shirt that was short enough to occasionally reveal a hint of her abs as she moved. Her dark chocolate hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and Callan had a sudden urge to reach out and pull it free from its band, releasing it over her shoulders.
“I’m going to get a coffee,” she said. “Can I get you two anything?”
“It’s okay, you don’t have to do that,” said Callan.
She smiled. “I know. I guessed you might need it after that email this morning?”
Callan almost knocked Aidy out of the way to go to hug her. It was almost as if she was in his head. “That would be great, thank you.”
“Americano with an extra shot, right?”
“Perfect.” Pretty much like you, he added silently. “Don’t let Wren coerce you into buying me cake.”
Alicia laughed. “I know. I’ve been in there twice and she’s definitely a feeder.”
Aidy groaned. “Who do you think has to taste the new recipes she wants to try out?”
Callan put his hand in his pocket and fished out a note, but Alicia waved it away and headed off. He watched her walk away, transfixed by the way her arse looked in her jeans.
“Uh oh, I recognise that look,” said Aidy.
“What do you mean?”
“Do you really think it’s a good idea getting involved with the receptionist again? I mean, look how that turned out last time.”
“Low blow, Aidy.” Callan shook his head.
“Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you two have been looking at each other. Sneaking glances when you think that no-one else can see. What’s going on?”
While Callan definitely wanted there to be something, he hadn’t yet been able to broach the subject directly with Alicia. Within days of her starting, she had already made a great difference to the place, lightening the mood and doing things that weren’t strictly in the job description—like getting his coffee. There was always someone around when he wanted to talk to her, and he hadn’t yet managed to persuade her to let him take her to lunch or for a drink after work. There always seemed to be something—or someone—in the way.
“Nothing. I don’t know what you’re on about,” he lied.
“Really? I’ve seen you look that way before, like you can’t wait to get her into bed.”
Once again, Aidy was right. Almost fifteen years of friendship could do that. He just needed to work out a way to convince Alicia.
* * *
It was shortly after four o’clock that Jason Mackey arrived. Callan had been free since mid-afternoon and had been sitting downstairs with Alicia on one of the sofas going through some marketing ideas. He had to admit that compared to anything Isobel had suggested, Ali’s were way ahead. He knew he’d been right to go with the more corporate-minded applicant.
“I’m looking for Callan Rivers?” A male voice carried across the floor.
Both Callan and Alicia turned to look. A tall, dark-haired guy, wearing biker boots, jeans, and a checked shirt, walked towards them. His hair was slightly floppy on top, styled back to reveal the shaved sides of his head.
