3. Kash
CHAPTER THREE
kash
Grandpa keeps sneaking looks over his shoulder like he thinks I might bail at the last minute. I’m a little ashamed to admit I considered it, but ultimately, I decided to be the man I’ve always claimed I am and held true to my word.
Why else would I be standing at Rose Callahan’s front door in a full suit and tie with uncomfortable dress shoes on my feet?
It’s the absolute last place I want to be right now.
While I adore the woman, I detest her granddaughter.
Doesn’t matter if I haven’t seen her in twelve years.
I’m sure she’s just as superficial as she was back then. Probably fucking worse, honestly.
The only reason I’m here is to uphold my end of the bargain—enjoy a nice dinner my grandfather's lifelong best friend set up in honor of my return to Darling while pretending to be civil to the woman they insist I’m betrothed to.
Sorry, Gramps. Contracts written on cocktail napkins are not sufficient incentive to tie my life to a woman who is more consumed by money and appearances than rational things like going to college or being a decent human being.
No. Juliette Callahan’s highest ambition was to snag a rich husband so she could sit back and live off their money for the rest of her days.
She wasn’t always like that, a little voice inside my head reminds me.
Ten-year-old me remembers the rambunctious, determined, hilariously funny little girl she’d been back before she decided she was too good for me and cut me out completely.
Back then, we were inseparable every summer.
From the moment the sun rose, until it set, it was her and me, sharing secrets and running wild.
Around the time she was ten, things started to change.
She disappeared, ignoring my repeated requests to see her and locking her bedroom window so I couldn’t sneak in and tell her about my day.
Her abrupt withdrawal didn’t make any sense.
I kept hoping things would go back to the way they were, that my friend would be eager and excited to see me, yet each passing year just left me more disappointed.
I made new friends in town, but it was never the same.
The summer of her sixteenth birthday was the last time I visited Gramp’s estate.
I was done torturing myself over my ex-best-friend.
Instead, I reluctantly agreed to shadow my father and learn the business so I could one day lead it…
or my own. Learn how to fill out a suit and hold meetings.
How to negotiate a contract with ruthless efficiency.
How to ignore messy emotions because they had no place in business, which also benefited my personal life.
Then, during a minor car accident, I met Beck.
He was one of the on-scene paramedics, and as he bandaged up my scrapes, our connection just naturally sprang to life.
Fast forward a few years, and we were pack, right along with his younger brother Wyatt.
These men have been by my side, sharing my goal of one day escaping my father’s grasp, all while I was there to support Beck’s pursuit of his doctorate and Wyatt’s talents in ranch management.
There’s never been serious talk about expanding what we had to include an Omega—aside from Beck’s brief encounter with Rose—and that suits me just fine.
With the money I inherited from my trust fund on my twenty-fifth birthday, we are finally in position to take the last step in severing our connection to my father completely.
Everything I want is within my reach, and I won’t let some silly betrothal agreement made when I was a toddler change that.
The large double doors open, and my attention snags on Rose standing a few feet from us in a silver gown that accentuates her regal figure. A short bob frames her smiling face, and I’ve got to admit, for seventy, she still looks as vibrant as ever. Warmth fills my chest.
Damn. Didn’t realize just how much I missed her.
Her brown eyes sparkle with delight as she steps forward and embraces my grandfather.
“I’m so glad you both could make it,” she murmurs, pulling back and peeking around him until her astute gaze lands on me. “Kash! Look at you! All grown up and handsome as can be.”
“Hello, Mrs. Callahan. It’s good to see you again.” I step toward her with a ready smile and easily give in to the hug she offers .
Now that I’m nearly six and a half feet, she’s so much shorter than I remember, but her understated rose scent triggers a sense of nostalgia that is impossible to ignore.
She had every reason to look down on me, with everything my father did to her son, yet all I ever received was wholehearted acceptance.
That’s simply the kind of woman Rose Callahan is.
Too bad her granddaughter’s nothin’ like her.
“Pshh! Mrs. Callahan .” She waves her hand through the air. “You used to call me Gran.”
My chuckle echoes through the cavernous foyer as she motions us inside. “That seems like ages ago.”
“Because it was. We’ve missed you around here. They tell me you have a pack now.”
“I do.” Following her through the house, I note any changes but also all the things that have remained the same.
The table in the center with the vase full of fresh flowers picked from the garden. Same.
The shiny panel for the alarm system tucked off to the side of the front door. New.
The warm creams and browns with splashes of gold. Same .
The handpainted family portrait hanging over the fireplace. Definitely new .
Pausing, I take it in. Mia Callahan is seated next to Rose, with Juliette poised gracefully on the opposite side.
Mason stands proudly behind the three women looking as stern and unmoving as ever.
It had to have been commissioned around the last time I saw her—she looks exactly the same as she did that night—round cheeks, haughty stare, and all.
My heart skips a beat, but I ignore it.
“Be sure to stop by so I can meet them,” Rose continues, drawing me back to the present. “After all, we’ll want everyone here to discuss the engagement party.”
I almost choke on my spit.
“Engagement party?” I manage to get out despite my coughing fit as my fingers attempt to loosen the sage green tie that’s suddenly strangling me.
“We’ll discuss that later. For now, let’s sit and chat while we wait for Juliette. She should be down shortly.”
When I give Gramps my world-famous glare, he simply shoots me a smirk and follows Rose into the dining room.
I have no choice but to follow, watching him pull out Rose’s chair at the head of the table and make sure she’s comfortable before moving to his seat on her right.
As I get situated next to him, I ponder their closeness and the fact that despite both of their spouses having passed away, they still never ended up together.
It’s clear to anyone with eyes that they hold strong affection for each other, and Lord knows he talks to her and about her nonstop.
What could possibly be holding them back?
While I’m busy pondering their relationship or lack thereof, they talk softly amongst themselves until I hear Rose say, “Oh, there she is. I was beginning to think I’d need to send the cavalry out looking for you, dear.”
Following Rose’s excited gaze, my breath stalls in my throat.
The woman standing in the entry to the dining room looks poised.
Polished. Perfect . The metallic gold strapless evening gown with a sweetheart neckline accentuates her full breasts and curvy hips in a way that makes me realize I’ve made a grave error.
Gone is the scrawny tomboy pretending to be a woman, right along with the full cheeks of youth.
She’s been replaced with a stunning goddess, standing before me with her hair artfully arranged at the nape of her neck, her brown eyes highlighted with hints of gold and smoky eyeshadow, and her plush lips colored a pretty matte rose.
Fuck. Me.
“Juliette. You look beautiful, as always,” my grandpa murmurs, then he nudges me hard .
“What?” I grumble.
I’m not entirely sure why until he stands, glaring daggers at me, before making his way toward her.
Fuck. Right. The whole gentleman thing.
“Hi, Grandpa Hudson,” she says with a voice that’s as rich as whiskey and just as potent. As she presses a kiss to his cheek, he gives her a warm hug. “You run out of those homemade cookies I brought you last week?”
“I’ve still got a few left, but I wouldn’t say no to another batch.”
“You got it!”
He offers her his arm and guides her to her chair. “You remember my grandson, Kash.”
Cool eyes meet mine as I stand, the warmth of her smile fading behind an expressionless mask. “Of course. How are you, Kash?”
There’s a mocking lilt to her tone that the older two people in the room miss, but I pick up on it immediately.
“I’m well, Juliette. It is such a pleasure to see you again.”
She hums, lips pursing before she allows Gramps to help her get seated.
With her on the other side of the table, I take a deep breath and prepare to settle in for a long, torturous night.
Except the moment her scent hits me, my system riots.
Warm apples with a hint of cinnamon and brown sugar.
I’m hit with the strongest sense of familiarity, but I chalk that up to that night twelve years ago when it caught me by surprise.
Now, with her this close, the strength of it rushes over me, bringing nuances that are new and altogether too enticing.