“Liar,” Wyatt says with a laugh. “Jules told me about your little kerfuffle with Cali Sinclair. Are you going to liquor her up and convince her to write a puff piece about this place?”
“That would be unethical,” I grumble.
“But a whole lot of fun,” Wyatt quips. “I haven’t seen you that transfixed over a girl since—well, honestly, never.”
I raise an eyebrow and turn to face him.
I don’t say it, but he does.
“Jess wasn’t the right girl for you. Yes, she gave you Julianna, but that’s it. You deserve to be happy.”
I huff at his remark. I don’t deserve anything. “Can we not talk about Jess?” Her name on my tongue makes my stomach sour.
Wyatt grins like I just took the bait. “Are you going to askherout? Because if you’re still not interested in dating, I’d like to hook up with her.”
I growl and grab his shirt, pushing him backward several strides, and shoving him against the wall. “You’re an asshole,” I sneer.
“For liking a girl?” Wyatt asks.
“For suggesting a hookup. You don’t even know her. She could be married.”
“Jules tells me that she isn’t.”
That caught my attention. Why the hell does my daughter know the status of Cali’s love life? “Even so, my place of business isn’t a brothel. Keep your dick in your pants.”
“Wow, just because you’re not getting laid doesn’t mean you need to take it out on the rest of us.” Wyatt smirks and leans in closer. “If you wanted her for yourself, all you had to do was say as much. I’ve never seen you get jealous before, and it’s not a pretty color on you.”
“Get back to work,” I snap, and step away from him.
Cali’s soft footsteps trail closer as I turn around and see her coming toward me. “Are you always such a grump to all your employees?”
Wyatt glances back over his shoulder, catching part of the conversation, and I glare at him to keep moving.
“That employee is my brother,” I mutter.
“Oh wow.” Cali’s eyes light up. “Is he part owner, too?”
If she goes after him for an interview and he accepts, I’ll put him on toilet duty indefinitely.
“No. He works for me.” I clear my throat and change the direction of the conversation away from her interest in Wyatt. “New shoes?”
She’s donning fur-lined boots. They’re flats, which should keep her from another injury. They’re beige and fashionable. Nothing she can wear on the slopes, but I don’t expect her to go out anytime soon after her recent ankle injury.
“I took your advice and bought myself a pair. I also used your discount.”
“My what?”
“You know, the sleeping with the boss discount?” She smirks and winks at me before turning and heading down the hallway.
My jaw hangs open, and it takes a minute for me to catch up with her. I’m stunned by her remark. “We didn’t sleep together. Did you hit your head?” I quip as I catch up to her.
“No, but I got a nice discount.” Cali’s smile is bright. “And your employee behind the register felt super bad for me. Apparently, you’re a grump to all your employees.”
“That isn’t true.” Why is this woman tormenting me? Did Wyatt put her up to it? Maybe he hired her to show up at the resort to make my life hell. I wouldn’t put it past him, trying to get me laid and to move on.
“Don’t believe it? Go ask him,” she says. Cali is all smiles, and somehow, my grumpy disposition does nothing to affect her. Like she’s immune to me. It’s probably for the best. I’d ruin her if given a chance.
“I don’t need to ask him anything. If you keep the shenanigans up, I will have to ask you to leave the resort.”