Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
I didn’t miss how Cheryl rolled her eyes at the question, something my brother was going to hear about soon. But she pasted a smile on her face after I nodded and James returned his attention to her. “Yes, sir. I’ll get right on it. You can count on me.”
James looked as dubious as I felt as we watched the forewoman walk away.
“I get that you must have some serious questions, but I need to call my brother first to give him an update on what just went down.” I heaved a deep sigh and shook my head. “Hopefully, he’ll have answers for you because I don’t understand how things could have gone so wrong. This isn’t how Heath Construction operates.”
“I know, which is why I’ve been a little more hands off on this project than I normally would be.” James took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ve worked with your brother often enough to trust that his team knows what they’re doing. Until now.”
Although the issues the inspector found weren’t my fault, I felt awful about the situation. “I’m so sorry.”
James surprised me when he put his glasses back on and shrugged his shoulders with a smile. “I’ve had things go to shit on projects before, and I’m sure this won’t be the last time. On the plus side, now you’ll have to extend your time in Chicago, and we can get to know each other better.”
“I guess it’s a good thing I overpacked, so I won’t run out of clean clothes anytime soon.” I quirked a brow. “And I can always wash them at your place, assuming you’re not planning to drop me off at the hotel after this fiasco.”
“Definitely not,” he confirmed with a chuckle.
“Then I guess I’d better call Landon and let him know not to expect me back in the office tomorrow morning.”
Pulling my phone out of my purse, I did just that…and he reacted exactly how I expected. “You wanted more responsibility, so now’s your chance to show me you have what it takes to get the job done. Fire Cheryl and hold down the fort while I figure out who I can pull from another project to send down there. If you can manage that, we’ll talk about a promotion when you get back. If she wants to complain about some nepotism bullshit after she’s no longer employed here, she can kiss my ass. Wisconsin and Illinois are both at-will employment states, so even without her failing to do her job properly, she wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.”
“You want me to fire her right now?”
“The morning is soon enough.” Some of the tension eased from my body at his reply. “She’ll probably bust ass trying to make up for the mess she created, and that’ll give me time to confirm who I’m sending to take her place so we’ll have a plan set before you let her go.”
It would also give me the night to prepare for my first firing. “Sounds good to me.”
“Extend your hotel reservation for a couple of days for now. You might need to stay a little longer than that, but I won’t know until tonight at the earliest.”
“Ahh, yeah…about that.” My head jerked up, and I looked at James with wide eyes. “I stopped by the JB Capital offices before heading to the hotel yesterday, and James insisted that I stay with him instead.”
“I guess that makes sense since his condo is so close to the office and project site.”
“Condo?” I echoed, my brows drawing together as I tilted my head to the side.
“Now I’m confused, sis. I thought you said you were staying with James at his place?”
“Yeah, but he took me to his house in Winnetka.” I narrowed my eyes at James. “I didn’t even know he had a condo nearby.”
“Let me talk to him,” Landon demanded.
I handed the phone to James, who flashed me a confident smile before saying, “Hey, Landon. Thanks for sending Samantha down instead of coming yourself. At least I don’t have to stare at your ugly mug while we figure out this mess.”
I wasn’t sure how Landon replied, but James seemed to take pleasure in pushing his buttons. “Yeah, I know she’s your sister. But from what I see, she’s all grown up and definitely not so little anymore.”
He lifted his finger and strode to the other side of the room, speaking too low for me to hear what was said. I twisted my fingers together until he came back and handed me the phone with a grin. “Don’t worry about your brother. Landon and I are on the same page now.”
7
JAMES
As pissed as I was about the inspection violations, I couldn’t help being a little grateful because it meant I didn’t have to convince Samantha to stay longer. And while Landon wasn’t exactly happy with the situation, at least we’d come to an understanding.