“Actually, I think you need to speak to Brock,” I said.

“Things’re just pilin’ up. I’ll sort them when you’re gone and I’ll definitely get you on the schedule week after next.”

“Raul, you need to tell this to Brock,” I semirepeated.

He ignored me. “That’s a promise, Tess.”

I walked out of Dillard’s and into the mall but stepped to the side, out of pedestrian traffic, and stopped.

Then I said, “I’ll tell Brock, Raul, but I wouldn’t waste your busy time scheduling us because, if I tell Brock you’re delaying again, he’ll phone and fire you. I know this for a fact. We needed this done weeks ago, when you promised you could get it done, and you aren’t the only contractor in Denver. If you don’t start work Monday while we’re on holiday, he’ll find someone who will. Now, I’ll be happy to tell him you’re delaying again but that’s the same as your telling me you cannot do the job. There are two options here: either we go our separate ways or you find a way to get to the house on Monday and start work. And, if you pick door number two, I would advise you to actually keep your promise. I think you get you shouldn’t rile Brock and I think you get that because you’re on the phone with me, not Brock. You’re right. You shouldn’t rile Brock. He wants a room for his son and he’s going to get it and not in June. Yes?”

“I do understand where you’re comin’ from, Tess, but if I could do it I would and you could go with another contractor but you couldn’t get the guaranteed quality you’ll get from me,” Raul replied, and I sucked in another annoyed breath because I had hoped to save Brock from another frustration right before vacation.

And I failed.

Crap.

“Fine,” I stated. “Prepare to be fired. Take care, Raul.”

I disconnected and as my thumb found Brock’s contact info on my phone, I headed to Mrs. Field’s Cookies because Mrs. Field could bake a mean cookie and I knew I needed a cookie to soothe the abrasions I’d endure after talking to Brock.

I put my order in as it was ringing and Brock answered on ring two.

“Babe.”

“Hi, honey, do you have any cookies nearby?”

Silence, then, “Shit. Olivia, Raul, or Tess Two?”

He was guessing as to the variety of annoyances in our lives that was making me ask if he had soothing cookies nearby.