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“That gives me just over a month. I’ll concentrate on the great room, kitchen, and guest bathrooms first to make sure the main rooms are completed in time.”
“Sounds good.”
She jotted more notes as they exited the home theater and walked up the stairs in the game room that led to the main floor by the foyer. He was one step ahead, and as he reached the top, his front door opened. He didn’t keep the security alarm on when he was home, so Liz simply pocketed her keys as she greeted him with her usual friendly grin. In her hands was the telltale takeout bag from their favorite Chinese restaurant. Mouth-wate
ring aromas filled the air in seconds flat.
“Hey, we brought you some lunch.”
“We?”
Mike followed her inside, speaking as he turned his back to shut the door. “I wanted to see how things went with Cindy, and you didn’t answer any of my texts. You did call her—”
Gina stepped into view the same time Mike turned back. His eyes widened, then flicked to Dean’s in apology.
Yeah, dipshit.
“Who’s Cindy?” Liz’s narrowed gaze shifted between him and the brunette beside him.
“No one, forget it,” her brother quickly said.
Better get the introductions in and drum the correct name into his buddy’s head. No more Cindy, or Cinderella. “Liz, you and Gina met last night, but Mike, this is Gina Allen, my new decorator. Gina, Mike Hollister, my vice president. He handles all the stuff I don’t want to be bothered with so I can work at home in peace.”
“Which means I do most of the work while he plays at being a creative genius.”
“You’re just jealous because you have to dress up every day.”
Suit coat in hand, Mike smoothed his tie as he laughed. “That’s not completely untrue.” He turned his grin on Gina. “Since we didn’t get the chance to actually meet the other night, it’s nice to meet you today.”
Dean noted right away that her cheeks had turned pink at the first sight of his friend. With the blatant reminder of the scene at Club 9, the color deepened a few shades.
“Any chance you’d be willing to pretend we’ve never seen each other before right now?” she asked his VP with a sheepish smile.
“Sure, I can do that.”
Dean had no intention of forgetting that night. Neither would Mike. However, there was a growing possibility it would be for much different reasons.
“Thank you.” Gina’s relief became a teasing grin. “You’re a real gentleman.”
Liz laughed while Dean fought the upward pull of his own mouth. “Give it some time,” he advised. “You’ll revise that opinion.”
“Ignore both of them.” Mike took the bag of food from his sister’s hand and backed toward the kitchen. “Come join us for lunch. We have plenty.”
The invitation produced conflicting emotions. He realized he wanted to spend the time with her, and yet the thought of sharing that time with his two friends did not appeal one bit.
“Thank you, but I can’t. Once we finish the walk-through of the house, I have to get back to my office to take care of some things.”
Her reply sparked more conflict in the form of relief and disappointment.
“We’ll be in your office when you’re done, Dean,” Liz called as she followed her brother.
He turned back to Gina. “Guest rooms or great room?”
She motioned down the hall, and they made their way through the two regular rooms and the larger suite. He liked her idea to do each one with its own distinct color scheme and subdued theme. Nothing quite so exotic as say, The Zebra Room, but maybe more like The Arizona, or Vermont.
Back in the great room, she took a few minutes to explain her vision for the expansive space, and he made a few suggestions based on how he’d pictured everything in his mind. They were very much in sync, and he was doubly impressed with her instinctive talent.
She finished the last of her notes and then folded her arms with the pad of paper against her chest. “This is good for now. It gives me enough to work with for a couple weeks, and we can go through the upstairs once you see how things turn out down here.”
