Page 106 of Screwed
Cash glanced at his friend. “Too late.”
“No, it’s not. Come on, don’t be an idiot.” Beau sighed, bent his head, and rubbed the back of his neck. “Look. I fucked up everything. You’re not leaving. I’ve lost my wife. I’ve lost my best friend. I’m not losing my business partner, too. You two are in love. It pisses me off, but fuck, I’m not gonna stand in your way.”
Cash narrowed his eyes. “Seriously?”
“Serious as an arc flash from a high-voltage breaker.”
Cash’s lips twitched, but he maintained his stony expression. “What about that whole thing about still caring for her and wanting to get back together?”
“I actually, uh, said that because I, uh, had a feeling something was going on between you two. And Iwasworried about the refinery project. I was getting pressure from Callie’s parents to try to get back with her. Joshua mentioned the project and said he might be able to have some influence on who got the job.”
“I can’t believe my father!”
“Fuck,” Cash muttered.
“I didn’t know you were bidding on a Sutherland project,” Callie said to Cash.
His lips tightened.
“We don’t need that job,” Beau said slowly.
“Yeah, we do.” Cash grimaced. “I mean,youdo.”
“Stop with the crap. We’re still partners. We work well together. Like I said, I won’t stand in your way. I don’t like it, but I’ll get over it.”
Cash’s chest loosened, and his body felt lighter. “Yeah?”
Beau exhaled sharply and looked pained. “Yeah. You were going to give up the woman you love for me.” He paused. “I can do the same.”
“Beau. You don’t love me,” Callie reminded him gently.
“You know what I mean.”
“And you’re not going to lose that job because of me,” Callie added. “That’s ridiculous.”
Cash lifted his chin and met Beau’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Beau. I knew I should stay away from Callie. Believe me, I know that a friend’s ex-wife is off-limits.Waythe fuck off-limits.”
“That didn’t stop you.”
“No. Because…it was Callie.” He tightened his arm around her. He didn’t want to rub this in, but fuck, she was irresistible.
“I better go.” Beau cast them one more glance that held a hint of sadness and turned to the door. He paused there. “Good luck with your bakery, Callie. You’ve done a great job here.”
Cash sensed Callie’s surprise. Finally she said, “Thank you, Beau.”
Beau looked pointedly at Cash. “I’ll see you Monday morning. At the office.”
Cash held his gaze. Beau was seriously stepping aside so they could be together? And telling him they could still work together? Could they?
He wanted to try.
“Yeah,” he said gruffly. “See you Monday.”
The door closed behind Beau.
“I can’t believe my fucking father,” Callie said.
Cash snort-laughed. “Yeah, he’s a Sutherland all right. He didn’t get where he is by being a wuss.”
