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“That’s okay! You can keep the mud to yourself,” Kimberly said with an easy laugh.

“We just started work. So far, we’ve managed to get the drywall up and seamed. We’re just finishing up with the sanding today.”

“You’ve made great time, Josh. I’m happy with the progress,” I said. “From this point forward, you can take direction from Kimberly. I trust her judgment. Whatever she wants, build it.”

“I have a tight time frame to work with. I promise not to come up with anything too extravagant,” Kimberly assured him.

“Do you want to take a look around? I can show you what we’ve done so far?” Josh asked us.

“Absolutely. I want to get a good look at the space I have to work with, as well as take some measurements,” Kimberly said. She reached into her oversized shoulder bag and pulled out a tape measure and a pad of paper.

“The two of you can go on ahead. I’ll catch up with you momentarily,” I told them.

Once they had stepped away, I pulled out my cell to call Krystina and ask her about any specifications she might have for the office. I dialed her number but paused before hitting the send button.

If I called her, she would know what I was doing. As of right now, she had no idea I was giving her an entire floor in my building. She didn’t know she would have her own domain—her own world within mine—and full access to every convenience Cornerstone Tower had to offer. I wanted her to be surprised.

Deciding to keep her out of the loop for a bit longer, I pocketed the phone. I looked over to where Kimberly and Josh were standing. Kimberly was pointing to something on the ceiling.

What would Krystina want in a workspace?

I thought about Krystina’s apartment as I made my way over to the engineers. Her home wasn’t flashy, the colors more muted. Her bedroom was much of the same, only slightly more eclectic, with its Maya Angelou quotes, and a lily-printed bed comforter. Her space was soft. Feminine.

“Josh and I were talking, and we thought about opening up the ceiling. Exposing the ducts will give the floor a more industrial and modern feel,” Kimberly explained when I reached them.

“No, nothing too trendy,” I told her.

“Oh, um…okay,” Kimberly said, glancing at Josh.

But neither of them knew Krystina like I did, even if my knowledge was limited. She had a conventional way about her. She would want her office to be warm and inviting, not looking like a busted open industrialized warehouse. It would be too cold for her tastes.

“Stick with traditional. Earth tones will be best,” I advised.

“I can work with that. Once we figure out the floor plan, I’ll collect some paint chips, then Josh and I will go through them together to decide what color is going where.”

“And lilies,” I added as an afterthought. “Miss Cole likes lilies.”

They both took on a curious look, but neither of them asked how I knew that piece of information. They knew better than to question me.

“Music, earth tones, and lilies. I’m sure I can find a way to tie it all together,” Kimberly said confidently.

Josh looked skeptical, but I paid him no mind. Kimberly was the best in her field. She had twenty years of experience, and five of them had been spent working for me. I knew she would find a way to incorporate my wishes into a design that would flow seamlessly.

“I don’t care how you do it, as long as it’s done right.”

I left Kimberly and Josh to tackle their new project and headed back to my office. Once I was there, I went through the last few remaining items in my calendar. I sent off an email to my accountant with an update on the construction, and I responded to a few others needing my attention.

Laura had scheduled an appointment with the selling agent in Westchester, and I was pleased to see the notes she had included in the calendar. Laura was the best PA I’d had in my employment to date. Not only was she efficient, but she also had a knack for obtaining useful information. Apparently, the seller was anxious to move on the property.

Back taxes.

That would make negotiations all that much easier. I made a mental note to give Laura a raise.

A call to Justine was the last order of business. I almost dreaded it, only because I knew she was probably waiting for an update on the Charlie situation. However, as much as I wished she’d let it go and let me handle things, a call to her was necessary today. We needed to discuss the charity dinner taking place in a few weeks.

Justine was the driving force behind the fundraising efforts for The Stoneworks Foundation, and I wanted to check on the progress of the largest annual fundraiser the foundation hosted. The success of this dinner would ensure Stone’s Hope Woman’s Shelter would open on time.

I dialed her cell number and waited for her to answer.