An odd tension simmered between them. She frowned, trying to sort it out, but why did it seem like he was suddenly studying her with a hawklike stare, as if he suspected she was up to something? "I'm sorry, but I can't do it," he finally said bluntly.
She blinked. Never once had she imagined Pierce Brothers would turn down the job. She expected them to be happy she was giving them her precious business. Her tummy tightened. "Is there something I can do to change your mind?"
A faint smile ghosted across his lips. "Not me. I'd be happy to take on the job, but any type of wood restoration is handled by Dalton."
She tried hard not to wince. "Oh. Well, is there any way someone else can do it?"
"Got a problem with Dalton? Has he made you uncomfortable in some way?"
"No. Well, he's made his interest well known, but he's always been respectful."
"Good. I can promise you he takes his jobs seriously. I can talk to him if you want. Warn him to back off."
She tapped her finger against the arm of the chair, her thoughts furiously scrambling. "No, I can handle myself. He's never put me in an uncomfortable position. I just think it may be easier to discuss the details of the job with you. I'm in a serious time crunch."
Cal crossed his arms in front of his chest, leaning back. "Sorry, like I said, this is Dalton's territory. I'm sure he'll be flexible if you tell him what you need. But you'll have to ask him directly."
The memory of their conversation floated in her ears, reminding her of wants and needs of a different kind. Swallowing, she knew she had a choice. She could forget the whole idea of restoration and take on the interview anyway. She could tell Good Food & Fine Spirits the bar would be restored over the summer. Buy herself time. It could work.
But the idea of having such an important source photographing her beloved bar in broken-down condition hurt her heart. No. This was her chance to show the world what My Place was about. Damned if she couldn't put on her big-girl panties and ask Dalton to do what he wanted to do in the first place.
"Then I'll need to talk to Dalton now, won't I?"
Cal nodded and stood up. "I'll text him and have him meet you at My Place later this afternoon. Will that work?"
"Yes, thanks."
They exchanged good-byes and she headed back to her restaurant to wait.
Dalton got the text just as he was climbing into his truck. He read it three times, then once more to be sure.
Raven had gone to Cal about her bar?
Pure male temper flooded his system. He punched in the numbers and heard his brother's clipped voice come over the line. "Thought that would get your attention. What the hell did you do to her? Oh, you're on speaker. Tristan's here."
Great. His brothers were about to witness his humiliation as a tag team. And no one did it better than his siblings. Tristan's smooth, cultured voice rose in his ears. Dalton pictured him elegantly perched in the chair, suit and tie pressed to perfection. "Talk about crash and burn, bro. Has a woman ever rejected you? Losing your mojo in your older age?"
Muttering a foul curse, Dalton barked at the phone. "Can we save the witty banter for later, dude? I need to know exactly what she said to Cal."
"Said she needed the bar redone with matching stools, and she wants it within three weeks. I told her you were the one she needed to talk to."
"And?"
Amusement laced his voice. "And she said she preferred to deal with me. Did you come on too strong and scare her off? I know you've been begging to do her bar for a while."
Had he? Hell no. That woman shut down men with pure glee and seemed to savor every moment. For some reason, she was afraid to deal with him directly. That told him one thing.
She wanted him. She just didn't want to want him.
Dalton knew every hidden aspect of the mating game, and she was playing to its potential. By asking his brother, she had issued him both an insult and a challenge. His temper settled while he analyzed the best way to approach the situation. "Nah, it's not about that at all. It's hard for a woman to admit she wants someone that doesn't check all her boxes. She's just in denial. I'll take care of it."
A short silence came over the line. "Not if it involves a lawsuit, dude. Maybe you should let this one go," Tristan advised.
"Don't let your ego get you into any more trouble. You have enough jobs to keep you busy," Cal said.
"I'd never do anything to jeopardize Pierce Brothers. There must be a good reason she wants the restaurant redone so fast, and I intend to find out. Either way, the job will be good for the company. Plenty of exposure."
"What are you gonna do?" Cal asked.
Dalton tightened his lips. "What I do best."