Page 12 of The Estate
Jay and Celeste shared a look before nodding at Seth and Rachel. “Since you’ll be digging into everything at White Hall,” Jay said. “We’d like to hear if you see any areas where Alaric can improve the profit margin.”
As Jay walked Seth through the improvements and cost outlay their son made to the property in order to host events, Rachel wracked her memory. White Hall sounded so familiar to her, but she couldn’t place it. It was killing her not to remember how she knew it.
She saw Seth shoot her a look, so she brought her attention to the conversation at hand. Eventually, she’d remember. Probably one of those things that would pop into her mind at three o’clock in the morning.
Or right now, she thought with disgust as the door of the meeting room opened. Cal stood there as if he owned the place. Before Rachel could stop herself, she blurted out, “You?!”
Cal’s head snapped to her, his scowl deepening as he took her in.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded. Her brain couldn’t catch up with what her eyes were seeing. And clearly, her mind wasn’t doing its job and editing her outbursts either. In a flash she was back in that hallway, listening toMr. Looks Great in a Suitdismiss her and tell her to get lost. She felt herself flush with anger at the mere memory of their encounter.
“Rachel,” Seth hissed through clenched teeth. “Is there a problem?”
Plastering a smile on her face, she turned to Seth. “No. No issue. At all. Jay and Celeste, forgive me,” she said to the bewildered couple. “I didn’t put it together until just now, but I’ve had the pleasure,” she paused ever so briefly, knowing onlyCal would totally understand the emphasis. “Of attending an event at White Hall Estate. My dear friend got married in the chapel and held the reception in the ballroom. It’s a beautiful location.”
She could hear Cal sighing, and it made her want to kick him right in the kneecap, but she refused to turn and look at him.
“Hello,” Cal said, extending his hand to Seth. “I’m Alaric. I apologize for being late. We had a delivery this morning for an event this coming weekend.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alaric. Can we get you anything to drink?”
“No. No, thank you. But that’s very considerate of you.”
Rachel expected him to sit across from his parents, so she couldn’t hide her shock when he moved to sit at the head of the table. Granted, it was closest to the door, but she knew it was simply a jerk move on his part to dominate everyone. Unfortunately, that meant he would be right next to her.
“I thought you said your name was Cal,” she hissed when he slid into the seat beside her.
“And you claimed it would be a cold day in hell before I saw you again,” he whispered back. “Brrrr,” he added while Rachel seethed.
“Let’s talk about timeline,” Seth interjected. Rachel gave him her eternal gratitude for getting the meeting back on track and the focus off of her.
“We want to move on this quickly,” Jay said. “We have meetings with different developers in the coming weeks.”
Rachel wasn’t positive, but she was almost sure she heard Cal… Alaric growl. It was low enough that she was uncertain, butif she was correct, that didn’t bode well for the project. Another point in the family drama column.
“The final installment of the trust will be paid out soon,” Jay continued. “And if we decide to sell the property, we want to capitalize on the interest some firms are showing.”
Rachel needed to get her head back in the game and make up some ground in Seth’s eyes. Her first large project. She needed to demonstrate that she was a valuable asset, andMr. Gruff Guyis the client’s son. The son that runs the event venue company that she will need to evaluate. Somewhere, the universe was having a really good laugh at her expense.
She coughed lightly. “Well, if you decide to go with the golf club idea, the timing would be ideal. By the time plans are drawn up and permits gained, you’ll be breaking ground in the spring.”
Okay, this time Rachel was certain she didn’t imagine it. Cal…Alaric growled at her. Shifting her seat away from him, she focused on Seth as he wrapped up the meeting.
“Rachel will reach out to Alaric.”
“Please call me Cal,” Cal interrupted.
“Certainly,” Seth affirmed. “Rachel will contact Cal and set up a time to meet at the property and get the project underway.”
After she shook hands with Jay and Celeste, she turned to Cal and put on her most professional smile, even though it killed her to do so. “I’ll be in touch,” she said tersely. Then added, “Alaric.”
“I’ll get a sweater handy,” he shot back.
Rachel begrudgingly conceded, as last words went those were pretty good. Guaranteed to tick her off for an exceedingly long time. She couldn’t get out of that conference room fast enough.
Chapter Five
Love, Loyalty, and Legacy
