Page 84 of Something’s Brewing

His gaze flicked toward it, then back to her. “You gonna get that?”

She exhaled slowly and reached for it, flipping it over. “It’s my dad.”

Garrett’s brow raised in question.

She’d ignored the last three calls. But she supposed if she didn’t answer it, he would show up again.

She pushed out of her chair.

“Yeah. I should take this,” she said, trying to keep it light.

Garrett nodded once. “I’ll be here.”

Something about the way he said it—steady, easy—made her chest tighten just a little.

She pulled the screen door open and stepped inside, letting it close behind her. She hit accept as she walked into the house. “Hi, Dad.”

“Madison. You’ve been avoiding my calls.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“I’m sure you have.” There was a beat of silence, then, “Have you thought about what we discussed?”

If she was going to get through this conversation, she needed a glass of wine. She put the phone on speaker and set it on the counter, then pulled a bottle from the fridge and poured herself a glass. CEO. The word still hit hard. “I said I’d think about it.”

“And have you?”

Her gaze drifted toward the patio. Garrett was still outside, relaxed and waiting.

“I don’t know,” she said quietly.

She kept an eye on Garrett through the door. He shifted slightly in his chair.

“You do know,” Harrison said. “You’re just hesitating.”

“I’m building something here,” she said quietly. “People who matter to me are here.”

“What you’re building is temporary.”

Her jaw tightened. “You don’t get to decide that.”

“I get to recognize wasted potential when I see it.”

Silence stretched, the only exception being the loud clunk of the ice machine releasing cubes. Madison pressed her fingers to her temple. “I said I’d call you when I’ve made a decision.”

“You belong in that position,” he continued. “You always have. I’m giving you the chance to take it.”

Giving. It should have been hers to begin with. Always have? Really?

Outside, Garrett’s posture stiffened as he listened to their conversation.

As a teenager, she’d wanted her father to recognize her as smart and capable of learning and worthy of eventually stepping into the role of CEO.

“Don’t take too long,” Harrison said. “This isn’t something I’m leaving open indefinitely.”

“Yes. I understand.” She couldn’t keep the snark out of her voice.

The line clicked dead.