In Good Company: Chapter 15

“I can’t believe you talked me into this after barely talking to me for three weeks,” Charlotte tells me before swiping a tube of pink lip gloss along her lips.

I give her an apologetic smile. “I know I’m the worst friend. I’ve been trying to get into a new routine working for Cal, and I just…”

“Abandoned me?” Charlotte finishes with a raised brow. She can’t hide the smile on her face. I know she understands I’ve been busy adjusting to my first few weeks working for Cal. She doesn’t hold me not being able to see her against me. I do feel bad for roping her into doing this today though.

“If you don’t want to do this, just let me know. Jude asked last minute on his and Cal’s behalf, and I didn’t have any plans for the day, so I just⁠—”

Charlotte holds up her hand to stop me from talking. “Of course I want to spend a day on the course with two of the hottest billionaire bachelors the Hamptons has to offer. I just wanted to give you shit about ignoring me.”

I smile and shake my head. When Jude showed up yesterday morning begging for help with the charity golf event at Pembroke today, I couldn’t tell him no. Both he and Cal just needed someone to drive their golf carts and stand in as a caddy, although I was assured we wouldn’t have to carry their bags. They had entered the event as a pair but volunteered for the singles event after some members pulled out unexpectedly.

“Thank you for saying yes. I know there are tons of things you could do on your one Saturday off this month.” I look out my windshield, watching people walk toward the golf course from the Pembroke parking lot. We still have about ten minutes until the time we’re supposed to meet up with Cal and Jude. For some reason, I’m nervous, which is odd because I’ve seen both Cal and Jude almost every day during the three weeks I’ve been working for Cal. It just seems different to be out at the club with them, away from the professional setting I’ve been used to.

“You don’t have to thank me. Today, I get to experience Pembroke the way a member does. I’m ready to soak it in, baby.”

I laugh at Charlotte before opening the door to the Bronco and stepping out. The only golf experience I have is from when I was young and used to go with my brothers. I was there purely for moral support, which is hopefully all the skill I’ll need for today as well.

Charlotte gets out of the vehicle and stops next to me with a beaming smile on her face. “We look hot as hell, Lucy.” She holds up her hand for a high five.

I roll my eyes but slap my palm against hers anyway. “This golf skirt is a little shorter than the Pembroke one I’m used to,” I tell her, looking down at the black fabric that falls against my upper thigh.

Charlotte scoffs. “Our job today is to look cute. I love your outfit.” She loops her arm through mine as we head toward the pro shop, where we’re meeting Jude and Cal.

“Your outfit is better. I want that pink.”

Charlotte smiles as she looks down at her matching set. It’s bubblegum pink and stands out enough that I’d be able to find her in any crowd. She even has her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail with a black hat to fit with today’s task. I opted to wear my hair down and keep the hair out of my face with a thin pearl-white headband to match the shirt I’m wearing.

The closer we get to the pro shop, the more people there are. It’s a little odd to see people I’m used to waiting on, but I try to push the uneasiness of feeling out of place from my mind.

Like Charlotte, it’s my day off, and I’m going to enjoy Pembroke the way all the members do. It’ll be a fun day in the sun with some golfing, my best friend, and the guys, and it’ll be in the name of charity.

“There they are,” Charlotte exclaims, tugging on my arm. I search the sea of people for Cal and Jude but don’t see them yet.

I follow Charlotte’s lead until we walk up to our company for the day.

“Luce! You made it, and you brought your very pretty friend. I knew you wouldn’t let me down.” Jude closes the distance between us, his eyes locked on Charlotte and barely sparing me a second glance.

Charlotte eats up the attention as Jude takes her hand and places a soft kiss to the top of it. Because he’s a complete flirt, he lets his lips linger against her skin for a little longer than necessary. She pulls her hand from his and places it on her hip. “Don’t get any ideas, playboy. You’re a member at the club, and I don’t date members. You’re cute though.”

Jude’s eyes light up with Charlotte’s denial. He licks his lips before placing his hand over his chest. “What a shame.”

The rest of the conversation between them fades away as Cal steps right in front of me. He wears a cream-colored polo and a pair of chinos, and he pulls it off too well.

“Good morning,” he muses. His shoulders are pushed back confidently as he keeps his hands tucked into his pockets, his focus on no one but me.

“Morning, Cal,” I respond. His familiar smell immediately hits me. I try not to take too deep of an inhale at the rich scent of the bergamot and sandalwood of his cologne.

“Thank you again for showing up this morning. I know you worked late last night because of the dinner party. I tried telling Jude to let you off the hook, but he insisted that you and Charlotte would have fun today.”

I give him a reassuring smile, trying not to stare too long at him. His blue eyes look extra vibrant under the sun this morning. A man with eyes as light as his and hair as dark as his shouldn’t be possible. It’s a lethal combination, paired with the intense way he stares at me as if there isn’t a horde of people around us, that makes my skin heat. “Charlotte’s been excited about it, and coffee exists for a reason, right?”

Cal takes a step closer to me to let a group of men holding their golf bags through. His eyes don’t move from mine. “What about you?” he asks, his voice deep.

Charlotte laughs at something Jude says, but I can’t look away from Cal’s piercing blue eyes.

I cock my head to the side. “What about me?”

“Are you excited about today?” He takes another step closer to me, completely surrounding me in his scent now.

He towers over me, having to curve his back slightly so his eyes stay connected with mine. I’m so distracted by his sudden nearness that I briefly forget he asked me a question. “Yeah, I guess,” I mumble, wincing at how awkward my words come out.

He smirks. “You guess?”

I shift on my feet, wondering why he feels the need to stand so close. Not like I’m making any attempt to back up. There’s something about him that pulls me in, even when I don’t want to be. “It’ll be fun to experience a Pembroke event like this. But I’ve never been very good at golf.” I playfully swat at his midsection, the back of my hand meeting hard muscle. “Hope you don’t expect me to play.”

Before he can answer, his attention moves to a group of people walking up to us.