“Yes, Cara. I told you I was sorry. She just gets under my skin. But I will try, for you and for the store.”
“Excellent. So, when she gets there, maybe don’t go to your office? Stay in a public place. I know if you have customers you won’t raise your voice in front of them.” She grinned.
Clearly she didn’t know about the time I yelled at Mackenzie in the middle of my store. The circumstances were different back then. The store was my life, but Fallon was my family.
“You got it, boss. Anything else?”
She sighed. “No, that’s all. I’ll talk to her and make sure we’re all on the same page. I will also talk to Kaia, and she will let me know if even a hair is out of place between you two. I expect her to come back in one piece with a final drafted copy of the signing schedule. Usually we would handle that, but Blair and I have more of a relaxed professional relationship than I do with my other clients, so I give her more say in how things are done.”
I snorted. “Relaxed? I didn’t know she knew the word.”
She rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I’ve got to go, but good luck, and please be nice. She’s been through a lot.”
“Haven’t we all?” I asked dryly. When she glared at me, I added, “Fine, go. You’ll get her back in one piece, I promise.”
She left and I sat there, unable to finish my salad. I put my fork down in annoyanceas I had lost my appetite at the thought of seeing Blair again.
There was no way this meeting wouldn’t end with someone getting hurt, especially with how the last one ended, and that was with witnesses.
I made a promise, and I always kept my promises. I would go into this meeting with a positive frame of mind, but if I had any say in the matter, she would get her back a lot sooner than originally planned.
Chapter Seven
Blair
“Yes, Cara, for the millionth time, I will be as nice as I can be. Strictly professional.”I groaned while Cara reminded me for the third time about my meeting with Drea. Like I could forget.
Cara had another client to meet, so it was going to be just the two of us. I attended two yoga sessions and even went for a facial and a massage. I needed all the serenity I could get.
I was in my cab headed to the store when she called.
“Great! Call me later, and good luck.” The line went silent, and I groaned before heading into the bookstore.
When I walked in it was pretty quiet. A few people were sitting around reading, and Kaia was at the counter with a redhead I’d seen once or twice.
“Hey, Blair, welcome in,” Kaia greeted from the cash register. I squared my shoulders and smiled. Strictly professional. I could do this.
“Hello, Kaia, it’s nice to see you again.” I turned to the redhead who was on her phone doing something. “Fallon, right?” I asked.
“Yes, hi again, Blair. I’m so sorry, I’m being rude. Wedding brain. Kaia, tell Drea I’ll see her later? Enjoy your meeting, Blair,” she said with a smirk.
“It’s alright, I understand. Congratulations on the engagement.” There was a softness in her eyes, and it made something in my chest ache. I longed tohave that feeling. Of being with someone who made me look that way when I talked about them. That madethemlook that way at someone when they talked aboutme.
“Thanks. Bye, guys.” And with a blink, she was gone.
I turned back to Kaia, who was looking at something within the bookstore. I tried to follow her gaze, but as soon as I turned my head, her throat cleared. “So, Drea is in her office. You can go on back.”
I whipped my head back in her direction. “Oh, thank you. Can you just let her know I’m here? I think it’s best if I don’t go back there, considering how the last meeting went.”
She frowned. “Nonsense. You need a private setting to discuss business. Go on back. She knows you’re coming. It’ll be fine, Blair.” She motioned to the back toward Drea’s office, and I hesitated. Drea and I had never been alone together before. It seemed risky, but what choice did I have?
Did I want to sit and argue with Kaia, or relent and go back to Drea’s office? Arguing with Kaia would be like kicking a three-legged puppy, and even I wasn’t that cruel.
“Sure.” I decided it wasn’t worth the fight. Besides, I was an adult. Surely I could handle myself around her. I took a deep breath and rounded the counter, heading toward the back.
I was a little nervous, but I couldn’t let Drea see that. Our initial meeting with Cara was a nightmare. I went into it with a clear head, hoping to end on a positive note, but that didn’t happen.
When I walked into that first meeting, I almost dropped my latte. I hadn’t seen her in so long, but she still looked the same. Same shaved head, same dark caramel skin, same labret piercing. What was it about that damn piercing that made me want to circle it with my tongue?Woah, where did that thought come from?
