Page 85 of The Wedding Toast
He took a bottle of water from the fridge as he watched the dogs eat, wishing that he could spend more time with them.Rosa and Luigi loved them and took great care of them when he was working, but he wanted to spend more time with them himself.
Although lately, he was starting to wonder if he even wanted to keep flying – at least professionally.He loved to fly.He just didn’t like to be tied to someone else’s schedule.He loved working for Bentley and the DuPont family, but since Ria had moved to Summer Lake, he and Reaves were spending a lot more time in the air, catering to more family trips as well as the business side.
He blew out a sigh.He didn’t need to decide anything right now.He couldn’t imagine walking away from the DuPonts.More than that, he couldn’t imagine walking away from Reaves.The two of them had flown together for years.He smiled at the thought that if he left the job, he’d have to bring Reaves with him — although he didn’t think that Reaves would accept a salary just to be his friend.
When the dogs had finished eating, they both turned to stare at him.He laughed and flopped down on the sofa and laughed harder when they both jumped up and clambered all over him.He rolled around with them for a few minutes, all three of them thoroughly enjoying themselves.He knew that most people would be worried for him if they could see what was going on, but these two weren’t vicious, no matter how they might look.
He pushed to his feet, and they both sat to attention.They’d look like highly trained, efficient guard dogs – if they weren’t sitting on the sofa.
“Don’t look at me like that, guys.I have to go.Tomorrow…”
He sighed.What was he saying?Tomorrow he’d be going to the brunch.Hopefully, he wouldn’t have to fly Callie home before he started taking the other guests back to the airport in San Francisco.But whatever he’d been about to promise, the dogs would have to wait.
He scratched their ears, and their tails thumped in unison against the sofa.
“Wednesday, Thursday, Friday – how about that?Bentley said we can take the rest of the week off once the wedding guests are delivered back to wherever they came from.So how about the three of us hang out together?”
From the way they panted and their gazes never left his face, he took that as a yes.
“Maybe we’ll get Reaves to come join us.”
A pair of contented whines rose from them, tails keeping time on the cushions.
“Okay.I’m going to take a shower.I’ll be back.”
As he ran upstairs, he couldn’t help thinking that although he looked forward to a couple of days with just him and the dogs, and Reaves if he wanted to join them, it’d be even better if he could persuade Callie to stick around.
He went into the bedroom and stripped off his shirt.Then he took his phone from the pocket of his jeans.He couldn’t ask her to come over.She hadn’t even committed to sticking around past tomorrow morning yet, but he could at least send her a quick hello.
Ollie: How’s it going?Is everything okay over there?Is the bridesmaid managing to keep the bride happy?
He watched his screen for a few moments, but she didn’t reply.Oh well, it had been worth a try.He’d see her later even if he wouldn’t get to talk to her much.Maybe he should just forget about it.He didn’t want to, but if she wasn’t interested, what else was he going to do?
~ ~ ~
“How’re you doing, Callie love?”
Callie stopped in her tracks.She’d been hurrying back upstairs to Becca’s dressing room, which currently felt more like a beauty salon.She and Becca had had a great time this morning, just hanging out, laughing and joking.All she’d really wanted to do was make sure that her friend was relaxed.And she’d done a good job of it, even if she did say so herself.
Now, though, with the hairstylist and other people coming and going, she knew that Becca was starting to get a bit tense, so she’d come downstairs to make one of her friend’s favorite chamomile teas.
She smiled at Becca’s dad, who was leaning in the doorway from Jacob’s study.“I’m doing great, thanks.Becca’s fine.”
He laughed.“Oh, I’m sure she is.She’s been looking forward to this day.It’s not as though we have anything to worry about, is it?Jacob’s a good man.And he loves her right – the way she deserves.”
She nodded happily.“Doesn’t he?It’s so easy to see.But then again, it’s understandable – she’s wonderful.”
He held her gaze as he nodded.“She is.And you’ve always been a good friend to her.I’m glad the two of you have found your way back to each other out here.I feel a bit better about her being so far away, since I know she has you.”
“Oh, thanks, Mr.T.”Callie had always adored Becca’s dad, she couldn’t bring herself to call him Chuck, though.She and Becca had christened him Mr.T when they were small, and for Callie, it had stuck.“I feel the same way.I knew she was out here in California somewhere, and I love that we’re not too far away from each other.”
Her heart started to pound when Mr.T gave her a stern look.“I know your folks like knowing that she’s close by for you as well.But…” He pursed his lips, his bushy eyebrows drawing together.
She held her breath as she waited for him to continue.When he didn’t, she finally had to ask, “But what?”
“I know it’s not my place, love, but I worry about you.”
“I’m fine,” she assured him quickly.
