Chapter 72


    Josie took a sip of her milkshake, then chomped down on her cheeseburger. There was something


    about the care package from her folks that made everything taste like home.


    "I''m settling in fine at the firm, but there''s a bit of a backlog I need to get through, so I might be


    workingte. Mom, Dad, haven''t you had someone to oversee the ce before?"


    Garrett replied, "We had Mike on it for a while, but once you stepped in, we handed the reins to


    Sue."


    Josie understood. With an empire so vast, some nooks were bound to gather dust. Well, if there


    was chaos in the ranks, she was just the one to sort it out.


    Hattie, ever so sharp, sensed something amiss and chimed in, "Sweetheart, are there troubles at


    the office? Let us know what''s up, and we can send over some top manager to lend a hand."


    Josie chuckled and shook her head. "No need, I can handle it. If it''s too hot to touch, I''ll holler for


    help."


    So, Hattie and Garrett were content to let her be. Josie would need to learn the ropes solo if she


    was to helm other ventures in the future.


    They pulled up to Gourmet Gxy, and Josie followed her parents in for dinner. They''d just settled


    into their private dining room when Oliver and Brandon knocked and entered.


    Brandon grinned wide. "Josie, you and Oliver are like two peas in a pod. What are the odds, right?


    Spooky coincidence!"


    Oliver nodded politely. "Mr. Garrett, Ms. Hattie, Josie, good evening."


    Josie was just as taken aback. "Good evening." What were the chances?


    Garrett and Hattie were equally intrigued. What brought Brandon and Oliver here? It was just too


    serendipitous.


    Brandon took a seat, giving Oliver a sly wink, who sat beside Josie, all smiles.


    Oliver exined, "Grandpa and I came for a bite. We saw you folks and thought we''d say hello."


    Brandon, ever the jester, proposed, "Josie, since fate''s thrown us together, let''s merge tables. More


    company, more feast!"


    Garrett could only nod in agreement, "Sure, let''s do as Mr. Brandon suggests."


    Oliver poured Josie some water, ensuring it was cool enough. "Here, not too hot."


    Thirsty from the day''s hustle, Josie eagerly grabbed the ss. "Thanks." She took a generous gulp,


    quenching her thirst.


    As the dishes arrived, Oliver''s hands, refined and nimble, elegantly peeled shrimp for her, leaving


    Brandon suppressing his chuckles. "Josie, you and Oliver side by side are a match made in heaven.


    I''ll talk to your granddad tonight. Let''s get that marriage pact going. What do you say, Josie? Oliver''s


    a catch, and he''s got a pretty penny to his name."


    Just how badly did Brandon want great-grandkids?


    Hattie, with augh, declined, "Mr. Brandon, we''ve just got Josie back and want her around for a


    few more years, you know."


    Brandon, dead serious, added, "That''s exactly why I''m considering having Oliver marry into your


    family."


    Josie suddenly spat out her water, dousing Oliver''s leg. By reflex, she turned away, but as luck


    would have it, her aim was all on his trousers.


    Apologizing profusely, she reached for a napkin, but as she dabbed at the spill, her hand brushed


    against something... rather firm. The moment she realized what it was, her face turned beet red.


    Oliver caught her hand, his voice a low murmur, "What are you fishing for there?"N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.