Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Liam
“What do you think is going on at that table?” I tap a finger against the glass window.
Keats moves to stand next to me. He peers into the crowded diner. “Which table?”
I point directly to the spot where Athena is sitting. “That one. The one with the guy with the messy brown hair and the woman with the gray scarf around her neck.”
“It doesn’t take a genius to see that they’re eating lunch.” He groans. “I’m jealous. Why are we not inside chowing down?”
Keats was the one who suggested we meet at Crispy Biscuit for lunch. We still haven’t met up for pool and beer since we’ve both been too busy.
“Move it inside.” Keats points at the door. “I’m dying for a club sandwich.”
I was in the mood for the BLT until I saw Athena with another man.
Before I can tell Keats that I’ve lost my appetite, his phone rings.
“Go to hell.” He sighs.
I huff out a laugh. “You don’t even know who is calling you.”
Shaking his head, he chuckles. “Believe me, I know. It’s a client. It’s the client. My number one. He wants to meet today. I told him to hold it together until I’m done having lunch.”
“Go.” I direct him with a finger in the air.
Fishing his phone out of his pocket, he gives it a glance. “You’re sure, Wolf? Because if I’m honest, he’s more important than you are at the moment.”
“Fuck you,” I bite back with a smile. “Get lost.”
He raises his hand to wave at someone to our left. “Go inside and pick up something to go.”
I glance back at Athena and the suit. He’s got his phone in his palm, and her eyes are glued to it. Their foreheads are almost touching as they both lean in to take a look at whatever the fuck is on the screen.
I turn to face Keats. “I’ll grab something closer to my office.”
“Is she a client?” he questions with a perk of his brow. “You seem surprised to see her here, or is it him?”
“Both.”
He doesn’t need the details. Athena and I didn’t set ground rules. Nothing is stopping her from seeing other men.
“Let’s get the hell out of here.” He points at a black SUV pulling up to the curb in front of the diner. “That’s my ride. We’ll drop you off at your office.”
I should take the offer, but I need to walk and think. “You go. I’m good.”
It’s a lie. I’m not good. I’m jealous as fuck. Whoever Athena is having lunch with right now is the luckiest bastard on the planet.
A canceled appointment has its positives and negatives. I come out of it with extra time to myself. Sometimes I’ll spend that working on paperwork, or I’ll hit the gym. I’ve been known to wrangle my mom into meeting me for a coffee.
The downside to a client bailing is worry.
Unless I speak to them directly, there’s always the chance that they’re having a bad day and can’t bring themselves to leave the house or to face their feelings.
Rhys canceled on me when I was at lunch.
His appointment was booked for four p.m., but he called into the office and spoke to Audrey shortly after noon.
He didn’t rebook or leave a message.
That’s the reason why I sent him a text twenty minutes ago to check in on him.
I’m on my way home for the day, but I’m taking the scenic route, which to me, is a stroll past Grace Church. The architecture of the building is as impressive as its rich history.
My phone chimes, so I dig it out of my pocket just as I’m about to cross the street.
I read the text.
Rhys: Hey! My dad wanted to hang out this afternoon.
That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.
Rhys’s dad has been emotionally spent since his wife died. He hasn’t been there for his son or himself.
Liam: Good to hear.
He responds almost immediately.
Rhys: Give him another week or 2 and I think he’ll be up to meeting you on the court.
I want to do right by Deidre. It was important to her that Gareth work through his pain. This will hopefully help him on that path.
Liam: You name the time and place.
Rhys: I’ll let you know about that but can you fit me in tomorrow? I need to talk something over with you.
I pop open the calendar app on my phone and scroll through my schedule for tomorrow. It’s synced with the office, so whenever Audrey changes anything, I’m up to speed.
Liam: Do you have time at 3 tomorrow?
I cross the street and navigate my way around the late afternoon rush of people cramming the sidewalks.
I glance down when my phone chimes.
Rhys: I’ll be there. Can we talk about a girl? My girl?
My girl.
I read the two words over and over again before I shoot him back a quick response.
Liam: You bet. See you tomorrow at 3.
I stop in place and stare up at Grace Church. I don’t need to ask the heavens above what I should do.
I turn and head back in the direction I just came. I want Athena, and if I have to go through the guy in the suit to get her, I will.