One Beautiful Promise (Very Irresistible Bachelors 4)

Tess straightened up, running a hand through her hair. “By the way, I wanted to tell you something. Gala related. Gabriel Lyons wants a mediation meeting.”

“What?” I exploded. I wasn’t the only one. Hunter and Ryker were just as pissed. Tess had emailed us all with the issue last week, so they knew he was making irrational demands, but honestly, we’d never thought he would have the audacity to actually go forward with this.

“I’m gonna go and represent all of us,” Tess said. “I’ll keep you informed, but I don’t think all of us should go. Would make us seem too eager.”

“I agree,” Hunter said. “But don’t go on your own either.”

“I’ll come too,” I said.

That fucker. This was my doing. I’d brought this guy on, and now he was giving us headaches. I wanted to fix this as soon as possible.

“I’ll be there too,” Josie said.

“You think we need a lawyer for a mediation?” Tess asked.

“Better to cover our bases,” I said.

Josie nodded. “Exactly. Plus, he’ll know you’re ready for anything if you have a lawyer with you.”

“Then it’s all settled,” Tess said. “No reason to keep getting upset about this. Let’s enjoy the lunch.”

I hadn’t even touched my food. I opened the lid of the container, eating automatically. I wasn’t hungry anymore, just pissed.

In the meantime, I texted Laney.

Cole: Just heard that Skye’s been messaging you. Thanks for looking after her.

When I looked up from the phone, Tess was grinning from ear to ear.

“So, since the gala stuff is out of the way and we’re done with food, can we officially switch to giving-Cole-shit time?” she asked.

Hunter nodded. “Forgot a very important piece of information. He didn’t give me any shit today when I said I’m blocking the evening for my wife.”

Josie whistled loudly. “Wow. Didn’t think this day would come.”

I just made myself comfortable in my seat. Pushing the mediation issue to the back of my mind, I grinned at the group. This was part of our dynamic, and I enjoyed the hell out of it.

After our working lunch, I went straight back to my office. Laney hadn’t answered, but that wasn’t new. She only checked her phone sporadically, so I was surprised when she called only an hour later.

“Hey. Have a few free minutes and thought I’d call rather than text.”

“Always happy to hear from you. Thanks again for looking after Skye.”

“No problem. Better to ask me than Google. That always leads to panic. I like Skye.”

“She likes you too.”

“I found out that talking about you is the fastest way to sidetrack her when she’s worried.”

“You’re a fast learner. What exactly did you tell her?”

I was very curious.

“Like I’d tell you. Muahaha.”

I leaned back in my chair. “You’re really not going to tell me?”

“Nope.”