“If anyone can get through this, it’s you. You are one of the strongest women I know.”
“Your ass-kissing is improving, Kaia, but thanks. I swear, this is the last time I will ever work with Blair Sterling. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need some time to reset before we open. Also, don’t forget I’m leaving early for my boxing class.”
After Cara’s genius idea to work with Blair, I decided a more physical approach was necessary, so I signed up for boxing. Tonight was my first class and I was looking forward to beating the shit out of something.
Chapter Five
Blair
Just as I’d expected, our first meeting went horribly.I stepped out onto the busy sidewalk, the cool spring air hitting me like a splash of water, a stark contrast to the heated bookstore from minutes ago.
I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering irritation. I didn’t get rattled. I was poised and collected, and I tended to let things roll off my back. It was just… Drea Voss.
She had a way of getting under my skin, and I couldn’t control it. If there was one thing I liked having in my life, it was control, and every time I was around her, I felt like I had no control of anything. I couldn’t control the words spilling from my mouth, or my body’s reaction to her smooth skin, or that fucking accent?—
“What is wrong with you two?” Cara’s yelling broke me free of my internal thoughts. “You are one of the most professional authors I have worked with. Why is it with Drea, you can’t seem to channel that professionalism?” Cara threw her hands up while we walked down the street.
I shrugged. “You should be asking her that. She started it!”
“Oh, I plan to, but right now I'm asking you. You two need to pull it together. If other businesses hear about your little rivalry with her, it is going to be harder to get them to work with us.”
Damn, she had a point. I sighed. “I’m sorry, Cara. I know, and I don’t want that for either of us. I’ll try harder, I promise.”
“Good! Now, I have to run. Do you need a ride?”
I smiled and hugged her. “No, I’m good. I’m going to walk around for a little.”
As I walked down the street for some much-needed air, my phone buzzed in my pocket. When I saw it was my brother calling, I hesitated before answering.
I loved my brother, of course, but I knew he would want to talk about the meeting, and I wasn’t in the mood. Even though my brother lived in California, we still talked a few times a week if we could.
Guilt swirled inside my chest as I thought of declining the call. What if something was really wrong? What if something happened to the boys or his wife?
I sighed rather dramatically before answering. “Hello, Christopher.”
“Ugh, you know I hate when you use my full name! How’d it go with the new project?”
I grimaced, looking back toward the infuriating bookstore. “Terrible. The bookstore is beautiful and one of my favorites in the city, but the owner is... difficult.”
“That bad, huh?” He chuckled. “Well, if anyone can handle it, it's you.”
“Sure,” I muttered, not feeling as confident as my brother was in me. “Anyway, what’s up? Why’d you call?”
“Oh, right! I was just checking in. I wanted to make sure you came out in one piece!”
I snorted. “What, you don’t think I could take her?” I could have totally taken her!
“No, of course you could take her. I’m sure you could totally kick her ass! Anyway, I gotta take the boys to soccer. Stay safe in Seattle. Love you. Bye, little sister.”
I rolled my eyes. “Love you, too. Bye, you big pain!”
After hanging up, I found myself at a nearby park. I took a seat on the bench, my mind drifting back to the meeting.
There was something about her—something more than just the initial animosity.She still had that same snarky personality, but something was different underneath her exterior. There was a sadness in her eyes, like something had changed her within the last year.
But before I could ponder it further, I noticed a woman with a dog walking by. The dog, a fluffy golden retriever, trotted over, wagging its tail enthusiastically.
The dog reached my lap and demanded attention in the form of a belly rub. “Looks like someone made a friend.” The woman giggled as she gently pulled the leash back. I reached out to pet the dog, smiling for the first time since leaving the bookstore.
