“You’re right.” He sighs and I can picture him loosening his tie. “It’s time for us to move on, Cal.”
“You’re firing me and breaking up with me?” This day just keeps getting better and better.
“I’m going to offer you a very generous severance, Callie.”
I want to tell him to shove the money, but I’m not that stupid. “Why?”
“It’s time,” he replies simply.
“Because you don’t do forever,” I add, remembering all the times he’s warned me of that very fact in the past.
“I’m sorry, Callie. I’ll give you an excellent letter of recommendation. And if you ever need anything, all you have to do is call. In fact, if you decide to relocate to New Orleans, I’ll have your things moved for you.”
“For someone breaking up with me, you’re being very nice.”
“There’s no reason not to be,” he replies and then sighs. “I care about you, Cal. We had a great time together, and you did a good job in my club, but you’re just not my forever girl, and it’s time to move on.”
I nod, swallowing hard.
“Thank you.”
I end the call and stare at my phone for a long few minutes. My dad is dead, and I just lost a job I love and a man that I tried to talk myself into loving all in one fell swoop.
I guess I’m staying after all.
I climb out of the car and stand on the sidewalk, staring at the outside of The Odyssey. If the inside is as bad as the outside, this is going to be one very expensive project.
I open the door, surprised to find it unlocked, and a million memories come washing over me. The floor hasn’t been refinished since I was a kid. The wood is original, but needs to be repaired and resurfaced. My heels click and echo through the dark, empty room. The tables and chairs are the same from my childhood as well, most looking much more wobbly. The windows are wide but dingy, making the space feel even darker.
The bar is huge, spanning one long wall. It was an antique when Dad bought it thirty years ago, and I’m pleased to see that it’s been well taken care of.
Suddenly, the door to the back room swings open and in walks Adam Spencer. He halts when he sees me, his sexy eyes traveling up and down as he takes me in. He sets the case of wine on the bar and hurries to me, lifts me in his arms and turns a circle, making me catch my breath.
“Finally decided to stop by, eh?” he asks as he sets me down.
“I figured I’d see what Dad left me.” I meet his eyes and shrug. “Thank you.”
“For?”
“Taking care of Dad. Taking care of this place.” I pace away, cross my arms, then turn back to him. “For loving me.”
“You’re my best friend,” he replies. “And your dad was good to me. Always has been.”
“He should have left this to you.”
Adam shakes his head, his brown eyes kind and calm and maybe sad. “It belongs to you. And I’m here to help you in any way you need me.”
“You’re a good friend.”
“I’m a kick-ass friend,” he replies. “Just don’t expect me to call you Boss Lady or Your Highness.”
“What about She Who Is Always Right?”
“Not a chance.”
I laugh for the first time in a week and feel my chest loosen, just a bit. “I’m staying.”
“What about Keith?” he asks.
I shake my head, not ready to talk about it, and sigh. “I’m going to overhaul this place. Maybe flip it.”
“Why not keep it? You’ll make a killing.” Adam winks. “With your expertise at fixing stuff up, and my charm, you can’t lose.”
“Maybe. I’ll think about it.”
I run my hand over the smooth wood of the bar and feel the sadness settle in. “Dad’s gone, Adam.”
“I know.” He rubs wide circles over my back.
“I can’t stay upstairs.” My dad lived over the bar in an apartment, and I just don’t have it in me to live there. Too many bad memories.
“You’ll stay with me until you get stuff figured out.”
I cock a brow.
“I have a guest room,” he says defensively.