Free The Best Thing by Jaci Burton Page A

that one out from under us, I might have had to resort to violence.”
    “I’d have been right behind you on that one,” Wyatt said. “But it’s ours and it’s a big project. We’re going to need to add to our labor force.”
    Brody nodded. “Already on it.” He motioned to Tori, who passed out a sheet she’d prepared.
    “We estimate we’re going to need to add about fifteen to this project. I’m already in contact with some of our labor force people about the people we’ll need, and have contacted the local union for the steel portion of the project. They’ve got a meeting set up with Brody next week.”
    “Good,” Wyatt said then turned to Brody. “How about the Hansen Sporting Goods job over in Mission City?”
    “It’ll be finished before this one starts up.”
    “Great. Any other business?”
    “The Christmas party,” Tori said. “It’s time to start planning for that again.”
    Wyatt groaned. “I assume you’ll be handling it. Do we even need to participate in discussions?”
    “Actually, I was thinking since you and Brody have such big houses, and Ethan is building a big place, all three of you have plenty of room to start hosting these events at your homes. I thought this year we’d start at Brody’s, then next year at Wyatt’s, giving Ethan and Riley time to first finish their place and second, with their baby on the way, they won’t need to have a turn for a couple years.”
    Ethan cocked a brow. “Why at our houses?”
    “First, it’s more economical. Second, it’s more intimate and it’ll bring you closer to your customers. Third, having it at your homes gives us more flexibility on dates to have the party since we’re not at the mercy of a hotel or restaurant and their busy holiday schedules.”
    Ethan looked over at Wyatt and Brody and shrugged. “I don’t have a problem with it. I doubt Riley will, either. What do you guys think?”
    “I guess it’s all right with me,” Brody said. “Wyatt?”
    “I’ll have to discuss it with Calliope, but that woman loves a good party, so I can’t imagine she’ll say no. And she’ll help you with the planning, especially when it’s at our house. Hell, she’ll help you this year at Brody’s.”
    Wyatt looked over at Brody. “You’re the single guy. You sure you’re fine with this?”
    Brody’s gaze leveled on Tori and he quirked a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine with it.”
    She tried to tamp down the emotions battering at her. She dragged her gaze away from Brody and instead focused on his brothers. “Great. I’ll start planning. I’ll email all of you with potential dates for the party. Get back to me as soon as you can.”
    They went on to a few more last-minute topics, then wrapped up the meeting so the guys could get out to their jobsites for the day. Ethan and Wyatt were on the phones while simultaneously packing up their gear.
    Brody stopped at her desk. “You sure about this Christmas party thing at the house? That there’ll be enough space?”
    She tilted her head to look up at him. “Definitely. I wouldn’t have suggested it otherwise. But I think, depending on the weather, we rent a fire pit and heaters for the back deck. If it’s warm enough, people might want to spill outside.”
    “You order whatever you think we’ll need. I trust your judgment on this.”
    “And you’ll need a Christmas tree for that front window.”
    He cocked a brow. “This was all a ploy to get me to put a tree up.”
    She laughed. “Hardly. But it’s a perfect spot for one. And you can’t have Christmas at your house without a tree, Brody.”
    “Fine. But you’ll have to come over and help me decorate it. I don’t even have ornaments.”
    He was inviting her over again? She didn’t know what to make of that. Was it in a professional capacity, or something more personal? “Okay. Sure. I’ll be happy to help you set up the place. Trust me, I’m not going to leave it for you to handle.”
    He bent over and whispered in her