Rise (Rise & Fall Duet #1) - Grahame Claire Page 0,48

the back. Would you mind getting them?”

“Sure.” Eric rounded the counter.

“They’re labeled. And I think they’re on the left near the back.”

“Got it.”

Garrison waited until Eric disappeared. The tight smile vanished. “I’ve wrestled with this decision all night and today. It’s even harder because I like you and Eric.”

My stomach wound into a thousand tiny knots.

“As a businessperson, it’s foolish to even consider, especially since your product is flying off the shelves,” he continued. He tugged on his apron as if uncertain. “While that man was certainly unpleasant . . .” He sighed. “I saw what happened through the window and can’t condone violence of any kind. Lexie, I’m sorry. I won’t be able to carry your dog food any longer.”

Eric burst from the back. “Found them. I can’t wait to give one to Millie.”

“Thank you. I hope she loves them.” Garrison flashed me an apologetic look.

I gripped the counter.

Since the disastrous start of actually crafting the dog food, this was our first major setback. We’d been growing. Garrison’s business had helped bolster us.

I’d booked a piano lesson for Eric with the extra money.

And we’d lost him as a customer and a friend because I couldn’t control my actions.

Because of my father.

As much as I wanted to blame him for this, my reaction to him was solely my responsibility.

I had done this.

And as much as I wanted to explain to Garrison—to defend my actions—I couldn’t find the words. He was a fair man. If he knew what my father had said about Eric, he’d understand my position.

Instead, I mumbled a thank you, unable to look at him because of the shame that filled me.

I trudged toward the door.

“Wait. We have to get your other boxes,” Eric said.

“Garrison has all he needs,” I returned as I pushed open the door.

The cheery bell jangled, intensifying the blow.

“I ordered them. I’ll take them.”

My instincts were right. Garrison was a fair man.

“That’s okay,” I said sadly. “Grey Paws could use the extra.”

I still couldn’t meet his gaze as the disappointment overtook me. The scene of the crime was a gut punch when we stepped onto the sidewalk. The ugliness flooded back. I regretted Garrison witnessed it, but if given the chance, I’d do it all over again.

I prayed Garrison was the only customer we lost because of our dad. He had a way of tarnishing everything he touched.

“Can I play with Millie for a little while when we get there? Fifteen minutes?”

That innocent face deserved my defense every single time no matter what it cost us.

“How about thirty? If you can sweet-talk Miss Adeline into it.” I unlocked the van and held open the door.

He beamed. “I can do it. She likes me.”

I pulled on his emerald bow tie. “Maybe we can convince her to let us take Millie to the park too.”

“Really?”

“I think we deserve a treat, don’t you?”

I stuffed down the rising disappointment. I had to. For Eric’s sake.

“Definitely.” He perked up. “And maybe Lincoln will be there.”

The feel of that kiss warmed me all over. I’d liked it too much. While my body wanted a repeat, my head flashed warning signals.

Then the vision of him leaving with Eric’s painting firmly in his grasp danced across my brain. That was almost as potent as the kiss. Almost.

As much as I hated to admit it. Part of me agreed with Eric.

Maybe Lincoln would be there.

Chapter Thirty

Lincoln

“Can you keep him or not?”

Teague’s demand barreled through the phone.

“Now?” I glanced around at the stacks of files walled around me.

“Yes,” he said impatiently. “Whatever big deal you’re working on can wait.”

He didn’t know that the peril I was currently investing all my time in most definitely could not wait. Because I hadn’t told him.

It would take me an hour to put all the files back in their drawers. I couldn’t trust anyone else to send hard copies of this paperwork to Zegas and Whitley. And I couldn’t send all the original files because there was proprietary information in all of them.

“Forget it. I’ll find someone else. Maybe Burke will watch him.” His disgust was evident.

As much as I needed to press on to shovel all of these files to my attorneys, I couldn’t let my brother down.

“I need an hour and half. Maybe two.”

“Great.” His tone immediately did a one-eighty.

He hung up before I could respond.

If I could leave the file room as it was and lock it up, I would. But one person had the key that I couldn’t risk finding it in this state.