I cocked my head. “You’d be better off with someone who isn’t family, but who is good at their job.”
“But how will I trust them?”
Joe had always been a bit paranoid about trusting people with money, but I didn’t realize it ran so deep.
“Do what everyone else does,” I said. “Check their references, and give them a shot. You can have them manage everything, and you can keep your fists wrapped tightly around the purse strings.”
To my absolute shock, he nodded. “Dammit, you’re right.”
“Is this why you’ve been such an ass lately?”
He just shrugged, grimacing.
“You were an absolute shit to Brynn. Not only is she a client, a representative of one of our biggest accounts, but you were rude to a lady.”
Joe snorted. “She’s fine.”
“You freaked her out and you need to apologize.”
“What does she care what I think?”
Placing my hands on the desk, I forced myself to resist the urge to throw him to the floor and pin him like I did when we were twelve. Partly because other employees were walking by the open door and giving us strange looks.
“You’ll likely be seeing more of her, and I don’t want it to be awkward for Brynn. We’re...dating, I guess. Assuming you didn’t just ruin everything for us, that is.”
“Really?” He paused for a second. “I would never have guessed you’d end up with a girl like that.”
“A girl like what? Gorgeous and kind and smart? A beautiful woman who is a bit quiet, and...”
“I’m sorry, man.” It was clear from that obnoxious smirk that he wasn’t sorry in the slightest. “I didn’t realize that you were already in love with her.” He was clearly teasing, but he was right.
I shouldn’t want to punch him in the face, but having him joke about my feelings for Brynn was too much. Taking a slow breath, I forced myself to be calm. “Yeah,” I nodded, leaning back into my chair. “I am.”
He rolled his eyes. “Sure you are.”
“It’s none of your damn business,” I growled, trying to maintain my composure, but nearly failing.
“She’s just like the rest,” Joe smirked, pushing his chair back and standing up. “Instead of concentrating on your work, you fixate on some chick with huge tits, and suddenly you shift directions.”
“She’s not some chick,” I roared, on my feet and shoving him against the wall in a blink. “She’s the love of my fucking life, and you’ll never speak about her like that again. You will never be unprofessional with any woman again. You were harassing her, and I won’t stand for it.”
His smirk annoyed me to no end, and I realized in a flash that he’d never change. He’d always want to treat me like a little brother, no matter how old we were.
This wasn’t what I wanted for my career. My life. For Brynn.
“I quit.”
Joe’s eyes were glassy with rage, but he just pushed me away, leaving the room without another word.
Slumping into a chair, I felt defeated. Yet energized. Brynn was my girl. My light. My love. Getting another job or just a few clients would be a breeze. Leaving this company would be a minor annoyance.
A little rustle at the door made my chin jerk up. “Are you alright?” Kathy asked gently. “Can I get you a coffee or anything?”
Smiling at her relaxed me a bit. “No, I’m fine. Thanks, though.”
“I didn’t mean to overhear, but it was pretty hard not to,” she said in her quiet, steady voice. “Brynn is a lucky girl to have you stand up for her like that. She seems very sweet.”
“She really is,” I agreed. She turned to leave, but I quickly said, “Hey, Kathy, what’s something one step down from an engagement ring? Something that says that I want us to be permanent without freaking her out?”