15. Brant
Brant
“How’s the Hampton Bays project going?”
Matt’s voice rings from the neighboring cubicle, and I lean back in my computer chair.
“It’s testing me, that’s for sure,” I sigh, running two hands over my head.
“Uh oh.”
“Outside of the business, my client and I wouldn’t be buying each other beers on the weekends.”
“What’s the actual project?” Matt asks.
“I’m designing an addition,” I reply, scooting forward to reach for the mouse. Then my eyes roam the Revit software across my monitor screen. “Jesse wants an entertainment room on the first floor, and then two bedrooms on the second.”
“That’s pretty sweet.”
“Actually, do you have any recommendations for audio and visual consultants I can bring to him?”
“Sure, I’ll forward you the company I used for SMART technology on one of the residences I worked on. I’m assuming if this guy is well off, he’s going for the highest end of everything.”
“Yeah, he doesn’t miss a chance to remind me he’s loaded,” I answer, crossing my forearms on the desk.
“Brant, how’s Miller’s addition coming along? Where are we at?”
I sit up to acknowledge Jared. My eyes immediately target the paisley pocket square folded in his suit jacket. “I’m drawing up two options for him right now. I’ll be meeting with Jesse by the end of the week.”
Jared’s thin lips tuck as he delivers a pleased nod. “Sounds good. Just make sure to be confident with what you’re presenting. Highlight the details you’ve added.”
I gesture a hand toward my computer. “You’re always welcome to take a look and offer any suggestions.”
He buries his hands in the pockets of his gray slacks before spinning around. “I’ve seen enough of your work to know Miller’s in good hands.”
“I’m always open to criticism,” I call after him. “That’s all I’m saying.”
That familiar smirk is bolted to his lips when he turns back to face me. “That’s an admirable trait, Beckett. Never lose that.”
A vibration growls underneath my forearm, and my stomach practically tosses itself inside my throat.
I’m like a fucking teenager with a crush. It’s embarrassing.
Julia
Hey you
And just like that, we’ve returned to earth.
Now, I really like Julia. That wasn’t a lie to me or her. We hit it off from the very beginning, and I have a great time in her company.
Before Callie, I considered giving Julia a fair shot. After Callie, my time with Julia will be nothing more than a distraction.
Not a sexual distraction either.
Before Callie.
After Callie.
I don’t like either of those phrases. For the past decade, my life was like a box of scattered puzzle pieces slowly merging.
Too slowly.
All but one piece.
In Willowhart, there was no life before Callie. And as it turns out, there’s no life after her. My life was Callie.
Some may label that unhealthy, but Callie and I were never meant for the normal, average life.
Our love was intense. Extreme. Our beauty wasn’t found in where we lived, what we looked like, or how popular we were.
It was found in the way our souls connected.
I’ve been wondering if our love is still that powerful. Still strong enough to defy as many odds as we did back then.
Still magnetic enough to bring two doves back together.
* * *
I purposely suggested a 2:30 meeting with Jesse. He agreed to the time, and all I need to do is prolong my visit as much as possible. Go through every stitch of the two drawings I made up, praying my luck doesn’t run out before Callie’s Range Rover shows up.
The two floor plans are laid out between us on the dining room table. Jesse stands opposite me, his palms resting on the mahogany surface as he leans forward to snag a better view. “If I’m being honest, these drawings imply a smaller space than I originally anticipated,” he remarks.
“When you consider setback requirements, the house can’t encroach twenty feet from the property line,” I explain.
“Alright,” he says, continuing to shuffle his eyes around the large pieces of paper. “I’m not loving the placement of the door, but I can understand why you put it there.”
“You always want to make sure when you open the door, you have an unobstructed path to walk when you initially enter the room. This placement avoids the line of the pool table and the theater portion.”
“Yeah, I get it.” His dismissive tone causes me to bite my tongue. If I don’t, I’ll wind up asking him why he even mentioned anything at all.
“The space is twenty by twenty-five. I know that’s smaller than you may have originally thought, but I can assure you that you’re fitting everything you want more than comfortably,” I offer.
“Seems to look that way, so it’s growing on me. I’ve also been considering what you said. About building the addition from the living room as opposed to the kitchen, and I did my own research afterward,” Jesse says, straightening up. “I never trust a first opinion. It’s the businessman in me.”
“No offense taken,” I respond, genuinely siding with him on that.
“So, we’ll go ahead with the addition from the living room.”
“Okay, great.” I flash a smile as I nod. “I’ll start reaching out to contractors and interior designers. Then you’ll have to look at materials and finishes.”
Jesse slips his hands into the pockets of his trademark black slacks.
“I’d like a list of who you’re reaching out to.
I want to make sure I’m involving my money with people who are reputable.
Not just those who are subcontracted out by your firm.
I know you’re going to hype them up regardless, so I want to make sure I know what I’m getting into. ”
Bite your tongue, Brant.
“I can absolutely do that for you by the end of today. Once we pick our team, we can move forward.”
Both our heads turn when the front door swings open from the foyer. My heart damn near leaps out of my chest knowing I haven’t seen or spoken to her since Saturday night.
Not because I haven’t wanted to reach out by phone, but because we got too close for comfort for Callie’s sake.
Do I care about hurting Jesse? Fuck no.
Do I care about making Callie’s life tougher? Always.
“In here, babe!” Jesse calls out.
I peer down, running a hand over my head.
The tapping of Callie’s heels accelerates my heartbeat, and she eventually enters the dining room.
She’s in high-waisted black trousers with a polka dot blouse tucked into them.
My gaze traces her chestnut waves cascading over her bare arms, and her eyes lock modestly on mine.
“Hi, how are you?” she greets.
“I’m good, you?”
Her palm curls around the strap of her tote bag as she inches closer. “Busy day at work, but I’m okay.” When she idles at the end of the table, she peeks up at Jesse. “How do the plans look?”
“I picked a good one,” he praises before flicking a glance my way. “Brant’s a natural.”
I invisibly wince, knowing the compliment revolves around his taste more than my talent as the architect on the job. I don’t need the compliment, but my god, the second-hand embarrassment is fucking strong.
Regardless, I throw him a subdued smile. “I’m really glad you like the plans. Did you want to show Callie?”
Jesse rotates his attention to her, narrowing his gaze as he drapes an arm around her shoulders. “I don’t know if she’s interested. Right, babe?”
Her full lips part, and she stumbles over the first syllable. “I-I am interested.”
She pivots her eyes to me, my smile launching her own. Then I look at the table, lifting the piece of paper with the chosen layout. “Here.”
I swallow thickly, burying my hand in my jeans pocket when she holds the other end of the drawing.
“Wow, this is…this is wonderful,” she says, her eyes dancing across the design.
Her teeth barely sink into her bottom lip, but I witness it.
She’s milking every second she can to appreciate my work without Jesse growing suspicious. “How long did this actually take you?”
“A little less than a week.”
Callie snaps her eyes up to me, cocking a brow. “Impressive.”
“I’m glad you both approve. That’s the way it should be with how big of a project this is.”
Her lips fold, and then she’s laying the paper back down. She sets her tote bag on the table when she responds. “I’m going upstairs to change, then get some gardening done.”
“Alright,” Jesse says. “I’ll be in the office once Brant leaves. I’ve been going back and forth with a big client for the past couple weeks. About to close in on a deal.”
She nods her approval before panning her focus to me.
“I like to give flowers away from my garden. Do you have a girlfriend you can give them to? Or a family member?” My brows groove, missing her insinuation like a moron.
But she catches me before I face plant on the ground.
“If so, you can come outside with me, and I’ll let you leave with some. ”
Oh, I get it.
I gently nod. “Yeah, sure.”
“Callie’s always obsessing over her garden,” Jesse interrupts. “She fought with me tooth and nail to plant one in the backyard.”
My jaw ticks, aggravation settling deep in my chest. But Callie shines her bright smile my way, and all is okay in the world again.
Just like that.
“I’ll go get changed so I don’t keep you too long. I know you have to head back to work.”
“Awesome,” I tell her.
Callie turns to head upstairs, and Jesse’s gesturing a hand after her. Almost in disbelief. “It’s the little things that make her happy.”
I lean over the table to begin rolling up the drawings. “Maybe they aren’t so little to her,” I suggest kindly. “Meaning can be subjective depending on the person.”
“I’m sure Callie will be happy to talk about all the different flowers in her garden. Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he quips.
When I straighten up, I toss a half-grin to appease his ego. “I’ll email the list of subcontractors we work with by the end of the day.”
“Great, we’ll be in touch.” Jesse points to the opposite side of the house. “I’m going to head to my office. Callie should be down soon.”
“Good luck with your client,” I say with a small wave.