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Putting a hand on her hip, she said, “You still haven’t answered my question.”
I had forgotten it. I wasn’t sure what distracted me more, a beautiful woman standing before me or sharing a meal with one. “What was it again?”
“What are you doing here?”
“Oh that. Yes, most likely my subconscious wanted to forget you had even asked.”
She snorted but it was the truth. “I’m here because my brothers guilted me into it. Said they needed my help with business or some bullshit like that.”
“You don’t sound thrilled about it.”
“I’m not the corporate type, in case you haven’t noticed.” I pointed to my tie that I’d flung onto the chair earlier. “I’m showing up for the meeting and then skipping out for the rest of the afternoon.”
“Good luck with that,” said Erika. “Colton may be less miserable now that he’s with Frannie, but he isn’t stupid. You won’t get away with it.”
I grinned. “I can get away with anything I put my mind to.”
Erika looked up with a sly smile. “I bet you could, Luke. I don’t doubt it for a minute.” She shook her head and left with the plate still in her hands. I chuckled, pleased she was going to finish her breakfast.
“Luke,” Colton shouted from his office, which was at the opposite end of the hallway, but his voice carried well enough.
“Erika’s wrong. He’s still miserable,” I muttered on my way to his office, grabbing my tie.
“You bellowed?” Leaning against the door frame, I wrapped the tie around my neck.
He narrowed his eyes and sniffed twice. “Are you cooking?” His dark eyebrows nearly touched his hairline in disbelief.
“Yes.”
“We don’t have a stove on this floor. How the fuck are you cooking?”
With a shrug, I explained, “I brought a portable countertop burner with me this morning.”
“A what?”
“It’s like a stovetop—”
“I don’t care what it is,” he barked. “Why are you cooking? You’re here to work.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t work for you, Colton.”
“That’s why I asked you to join me for this meeting.” He pointed to a black leather chair in front of his desk. “Have a seat.”
“I’d rather stand.”
He stared at me and I stared back. I don’t know why I was being stubborn, except that my brothers and I usually made everything a competition.
“Suit yourself,” he said and sighed. “Look. Ryan and I have indulged you for several years now.”
My eyes widened and I nearly choked on the insult. “You’ve indulged me? How?”
“We’ve let you run wild and free and party to your heart’s content. It’s time to settle down now, Luke.”
“What does that even mean, Colton? You want me to get married?”
“No, no. I’m just saying I’ve watched you bounce around with no purpose. I’d like to give you a seat here at Crawford Corporation.”
“I don’t want a seat here. Thanks for asking.”
