Page 22 of Finding Redemption

He stares at me for a minute before standing. “Make it somewhere nice. And dinner, not lunch.”

“Why dinner?”

“Family time, more formal. Less likely she’ll blow up.” He’s right.

“Got it.” I stand, offering my hand. He takes it with a grin.

“Don’t let her get your balls in a grip. Take control,” Lachlan replies as he walks out. And again, my stomach responds with a twist.

“Control? Huh. No such thing with Reese Morgan,” I mutter, displeased with my situation.

I press the intercom. Donna’s voice comes over the line a second later. “Yes, Walker?”

“Donna, could you step in here for a minute?”

“Of course.”

Donna enters the room with her iPad and sits across from me. “What can I help you with?”

“I need to schedule a business dinner with Reese Morgan.”

“Do you have a place in mind?” she asks.

I’m stunned for a moment as my mind races. Wait. “No, I don’t care.”

“I’ll get right on it.” Donna makes it to the door before I stop her.

“Actually, Donna. Let’s make it a lunch date,” I stutter. “Not date. I mean, lunch. For business reasons.”

“All right.” Her eyes crinkle at the corners when she smiles at me. Turning, she makes it out of sight before I call her back.

“Donna!” I stand, searching for her.

“Yes.” She pops her head through the door.

“Dinner. Definitely, dinner.” I run my hand through my hair. “Lachlan wanted it to be a dinner. Formal.”

“I know just the spot. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not.” I shove my sweaty hands into my pockets. What the fuck is this?

Thankfully, the day moves steadily. The issue with Lachlan’s project weighs on me. Reese needs to help me move past this and come to an agreement. She’s temperamental, and I’m not sure we can find a happy medium.

Above all, I need to remain in control. She pushes my barriers. That’s never a good thing with me. The faster I can bring this project full circle, the better. And the quicker I can get away from her, the better off I’ll be.

Buzz. Buzz. I jump at the vibration in my pocket. Damn phone. “Pennington.”

“Pennington. Pennington,” Riley snickers.

“Why are you whisper-laughing?” I ask sternly.

“What the fuck is whisper-laughing?” He laughs even louder.

“I don’t know. You’re the one doing it.”

He begins to bellow. “Fucking idiot.”

I have to laugh. He’s right. “True. What’s up?”