The Billionaire's Kiss(85)
“You’re not my mother, Amy,” Callie said, “and, who are you to lecture me about my love life? If I remember your husband didn’t exactly have a sparkling reputation before you married him.”
“That was different,” Amy said. “And I might not be your mother, but I am your boss and your older sister, and it’s my job to look out for you.”
“Well, I don’t need you to tell me how to live,” Callie said.
“I need you back here,” Amy said. “He’s a distraction, and we need you back in DC.”
“I need more time. Why can’t you just take a minute to listen to what I’m trying to tell you.”
“This is the real world, Callie. You don’t have more time.” As an aside, she said, “God, this is exactly what happens when I’m not there.”
“Excuse me?” Callie said. “Are you calling my competence into question too? I can’t believe you. You can’t let me have a chance at being happy. Are you afraid I won’t want to work every night and weekend if I have a relationship? Is that it?”
“You know what I meant. I’m not in the mood, Callie.”
“Not in the mood? When you decided to run off and marry Ethan with 12 hours notice, did I second guess you? Did I tell you what to do? No, I supported you, and I kept my mouth shut. Why can’t you do the same for me for once?”
“Callie, I’m still your boss, and I need you back here in DC. You have a job to do.”
“You were the one who asked me to come work for you. You were the one who sent me to Newport. I told you I didn’t want to, and you sent me anyway. I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation. I’m asking for a few days to figure things out.”
“And I’m trying to save you a lot of time and heartache. You read the file on Logan. You know he’s handsome and charming and that he has the attention span of a mayfly. I don’t want you getting hurt. You’re so shortsighted sometimes.”
“Like I said, if I’m going to get hurt, I’m going to get hurt. I’m not going to run away from him just because you had a bad experience. I just need some time. I told you this before you sent me here. I need time, even a week, Amy.”
“Do you really think this is all about you?” Amy snapped back. “Sure, Logan is fun, but he’s also reckless and impulsive. You see what happens with men like him every day. He’s just like the rest of our clients. You and I both know where this ends.”
“You don’t know anything about him. Whether he’s good for me or not, this is my choice.”
“This isn’t just your choice, Callie. You’re being selfish and childish and short-sighted. People rely on you, and you can’t just pick up and run off with Logan because he makes you feel all tingly.”
“All tingly? So when you decide that you love Ethan, that’s ok, but now that I want to figure things out with Logan, it’s somehow stupid and wrong?”
“That was different. I’m not having this conversation with you right now. I’m due to give birth in three days, and I’m not letting my sister yell at me like a spoiled child.”
“Well, you have been trying to mother me for the past twenty years.”
“This conversation is over. I’ll have someone book you a ticket home. When you’re done with your tantrum, give me a call, and we’ll sort out the details.”
Somehow after all these years, Amy still had the special skill of making Callie feel like a child. She clenched her fist and gritted her teeth. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, but it was no use. “You’re not listening to me. You don’t even respect me enough to talk to me like an adult. I’m through. I’m not coming home. I’m sorry.”
“Callie I’m not saying this as your sister. I’m saying this as your boss.”
“I thought you had decided to make me a partner.”
“Well, I’ll make myself clear. Partners, like everyone else in the company, have responsibilities. If you’re not back in DC by Monday morning, you’re no longer a partner, and you’re no longer part of the company. If you aren’t going to step up when I need you, I don’t want you on my team.”
“Let me save you some trouble. I quit,” Callie said. Her hand trembled as she ended the call and turned off the phone. She reached for her glass of wine and took a long sip to calm her nerves. She wondered if she should find some way to get in touch with Logan. She ran her hand over her face and rubbed her temples. She looked out over the horizon for some sign of Logan’s boat, but she saw nothing but the last hint of the sun disappearing into the darkness.