Piece by Piece (The Riggins Brothers #2) - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,71

not, it’s fine. Sawyer already said that she would give me a ride home.”

“I hope this meeting doesn’t take all damn day.”

“Either way, I’ll see you when you get home.”

“I love that I get to come home to you.” He leans down and presses his lips to mine.

“Yeah, well, I love you,” I tell him.

“You ready?” Royce asks Owen.

“Yeah. Let’s get this day over with.”

“Exactly. We’ve met with this guy more times than I can count. He needs to either shit or get off the pot,” Royce grumbles.

“What is it for?” I ask. I’m still learning the ins and outs of the business.

“He’s the competition. His company is headed for bankruptcy. We’ve offered to buy him out, but he’s dragging his feet. The further he goes into the hole, the less our number for purchase is,” Owen explains.

“Today’s it,” Royce adds. “I’m done dealing with him. We were trying to be nice and give him a buyout. His only other option is to find someone else to do what we’ve been offering for months, or file bankruptcy.”

“Yikes.”

“Yep.” Owen leans down and kisses me again. “Have a good day, baby.”

“You too.” Sawyer and I watch them as they walk away.

“Damn, we are lucky,” Sawyer says, turning to face me.

“That we are. He took that well.”

She waves her hand in the air. “He’s a big softie. They all are.”

“I’m starting to see that.” The truth is, they all try to be hard, but spend five minutes with any of the Riggins brothers, and you’ll see that they are indeed soft-hearted and loving men.

“I better get to work. Lunch today?” she asks as the phone rings.

“Yes,” I say, waving to her. “Riggins Enterprises, this is Layla,” I answer. I hear nothing but hard breathing, louder this time than the previous calls. “Hello? Riggins Enterprises, this is Layla,” I say again. Nothing but more breathing greets me. I don’t have time to deal with these kids today. I have two reports for Grant to get done today, so I hang up. Putting the call out of my mind, I get to work. The office is quiet today with both Royce and Owen gone. Then again, maybe it’s just because I know Owen’s not just down the hall in his office. It’s really distracting at times knowing he’s so close, while I’m craving to be near him, but knowing it’s inappropriate at the office.

With the phones now quiet and two of the five brothers out of the office, I’m able to get lost in the reports I’m doing for Grant. I don’t even realize what time it is until I see Sawyer’s shadow fall over my desk.

“Ready for lunch?”

“Is it that time already?”

“Yep. The deli across the street is calling our name.”

Reaching into my desk drawer, I grab my purse and phone and switch the phones to the out-to-lunch message. “Did I tell you that a new bakery is coming in down the street?” I ask her as we enter the elevator.

“Oh, God, my hips don’t need to hear that.” She laughs.

“Stop, you’re gorgeous. It will be convenient when needing breakfast for those early morning meetings. Hopefully, we can work with them, and they’ll deliver. Making our lives easier.”

“Good call. When are they opening?”

“I’m not sure. I heard them talking about it the other day when I stopped in at the deli to grab Owen and me some lunch.”

“We’ll have to keep an eye on it. That’s the perfect excuse for us to check it out and introduce ourselves,” she says as we exit the building.

Lunch is good as always; this little deli is on point with their food. The company’s even better. With each day, Sawyer and I get closer, and I value that friendship. I know she has a best friend in Hadley, but she’s quickly becoming mine.

I’m so engrossed in what I’m doing that I’m startled when the phone rings. It’s been really quiet this afternoon, and I’ve been able to mark things off my to-do list. “Riggins Enterprises, this is Layla,” I answer. Nothing greets me but breathing again. I’m sure it’s just kids, but it’s starting to not only piss me off but get a little creepy. “Riggins Enterprises, this is Layla,” I say again. Nothing but breathing, so I hang up.

“How was your day?” Owen’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

“Hey. You’re back sooner than I thought you would be.”

“It’s done. He’s playing games, and we’re over it. He’s going to have to find someone else to bail