Page 16 of The Estate
Rachel smiled. “Well, I guess it all started at Alex’s wedding and my run in with Cal.”
“Cal?” Lottie asked. Clearly trying to remember who that was.
“The owner who I quarreled with about the wedding meal,” Rachel provided.
“Oh, yeah. Him.”
“Someone had too much champagne that night,” Lisa muttered.
Lottie pouted. “Did not.”
Were there two better people on the planet? Rachel didn’t think so. Their easy manner and strong friendship made Rachel feel better, even if she didn’t know why.
“Anyway,” Rachel interjected before they could start full-on bickering. “Allow me to explain how my day started.” Rachel filled in her friends on the last minute assignment and the surprise appearance of Cal, aka Alaric. By the time she finished, her stress level was skyrocketing again.
“How am I ever going to work with him? I have to meet with him, like this week.” She dropped her head into her hands. “And the whole time I’m dealing with him, I have to impress our new clients so they give us more business, which will prove to my boss that I’m qualified and can handle larger accounts.”
“I knew we should have kneecapped him,” Lottie said at the exact moment Lisa blurted, “Good thing I made lots of sangria.”
Shaking her head in amusement, Rachel watched Lisa top off her glass. Her stress level was still pretty high, but somehow she felt lighter. Sipping her drink, she eyed Lottie. “I’m not entirely sure ‘kneecapping’ Cal at Alex’s wedding would have improved the situation I find myself in.”
“It would make me feel better at least,” Lottie answered.
“I must say,” Lisa mused. “He may have the personality of a wet rag, but damn, does he look good in a suit.”
Lottie sat up straighter. “Really?”
Lisa quickly nodded her head. “Really.”
Lottie whipped around to stare at Rachel. “Are you holding out on me?”
“No,” Rachel replied. “I mean… No. Not really.”
“Oh, now you’re in it,” Lisa said.
“Fine,” she replied. “I may have noticed he’s an attractive man. Wavy brown hair, cut a little shorter on the sides. Emerald-green eyes with the longest lashes. Athletic build, probably aswimmer, if I had a guess. Square jaw and a face set in a permanent scowl.”
She didn’t miss the look Lisa and Lottie shared. It may have been true that she not only noticed but memorized some of Cal’s finer physical attributes. She felt her face redden. She shouldn’t be reacting like that to a guy who was that annoying.
“Listen,” Rachel said. “I know from experience. Attractive, cocky men with their condescending attitudes are trouble. Best to just cut to the chase and avoid interacting with them at all. They aren’t worth the time.”
Lisa’s forehead furrowed. She was about to respond, but Lottie jumped in.
“What did you say his last name was again?” Lottie said, a curious tilt to her head.
“Fitzgerald. Why?”
“Cal Fitzgerald,” Lottie murmured. “I think I might know him.”
“What?” Rachel pressed.
“Well, not really, but it’s possible I may have gone to the same high school. I just remember a guy there who was on the swim team. That’s what made me think of him. I could swear his name was Cal Fitzgerald. He was a few years ahead of me.”
“What are the odds?” Lisa asked.
“Yeah, it’s probably not him,” Lottie said. “Although he was a splendid swimmer, if I recall. Intense and focused. He wasn’t friendly, nor was he mean. Just serious. He always had a scowl on his face. He never looked happy. But you’re right. Probably not the same guy.”
Lisa and Rachel made eye contact before saying together, “Yeah. Same guy.”
