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Breck gave her a half-smile. “Juan promised he’ll keep the cost as low as he can. With the deposit the cancel event paid, they should still turn a healthy profit.”
She hesitated. In her line of work people were always doing favors for each other. She’d practically worked for free during her first year of business, determined to build up her client base as quickly as possible. But she also knew business was business and people had to make a profit.
“As long as it doesn’t cause him any problems, this could be the answer to all our dreams.”
“It won’t,” Breck assured her. “And anyway, I did him a few favors in the past. This is just payback.” His eyes were soft as he looked at her. “And if you need something to swing it for you, Juan has a wedding coordinator on the staff. She’s agreed to assist you while you’re back in New York.”
“Oh my god, that’s fantastic.” Caitie’s smile softened her lips. She hoped he knew how grateful she was. “I’ll need Ember and Lucas to take a look before I can confirm. I’ve taken as many photos as I can, but there’s no way I can agree to anything without them seeing it for themselves. But I’m definitely sold.”
“Agreed. While you were on the tour with Juan, I texted Lucas and told him to get up here by Friday. As long as we put the deposit down by Saturday, Juan’s happy to give you the date.”
She rolled her lip between her teeth, feeling herself relax for the first time in days. Maybe she could pull this wedding off after all.
They sat at a white-painted cast iron table on the lowest terrace. Though the sun was beating down, the clouds were hanging low in the sky, their wispy forms turning greyer by the minute. The air around them felt heavy.
“I won’t be able to be here. I have to be in L.A. for a meeting Thursday,” she told him. “And then I am flying home.” She felt a knot forming in her belly at the thought.
Breck nodded. “Lucas and Ember can come on their own. I’m pretty sure Juan will provide them with lunch. Maybe you can persuade them to stay the night. To see everything the place has to offer. Hopefully the weather will be a bit better.?
? He gestured at the darkening sky. “They could even go for a swim in the Greek-themed pool.
“That’s some pool,” she said, remembering the cerulean mirror of water, surrounded by Grecian columns and marble statues.
“You didn’t like it much, did you?” Breck said, scrutinizing her expression.
“No I did. It was nice,” she told him, nodding her head to emphasize her answer. “Beautifully styled. They did a good job on it.”
“Thanks.” He raised an eyebrow.
“Did you build it?” she asked, blinking with surprise.
“Yep.” His brows knitted together as he stared at her, hesitation deepening his voice. “Are you scared of swimming pools as well?” he asked. He sounded genuinely concerned. Seeing her blanch at his question, he hurriedly added, “You don’t have to answer. If I’m getting too personal, please tell me.”
She looked at him, taking in the dark blond hair, brushed back from his brow, and the light blue shirt, tieless, open at the collar. He did business casual as effortlessly as he did surfer-cool. “You’re not being too personal,” she told him. “I know how stupid it sounds. I’ve never had any terrible experiences in a swimming pool, but if I go near one I feel weird. It’s not the same as going near the ocean, nowhere near. But I still avoid them when I can.”
“Do you take baths?”
She busted out laughing. “Now that’s getting personal. Do I smell or something?”
“I’m trying to figure out how far this phobia goes. Is it all water, or just bodies of water? Do you hate showers? Hate getting your face wet?” He pointed up at the sky. “If it starts to rain, am I going to have to carry you inside like some asshole out of a movie? I can if you want me to. I go to the gym, I work out. I just need to know how far you want me to go here.”
She pursed her lips, trying not to laugh. “I’m not scared of rain.”
“Showers?”
“I take one every day.”
“And baths?” he asked again.
Caitie sighed. “We don’t have a tub in our apartment in New York. Just a stall. But I’m not really a bath kind of girl. I don’t find it relaxing like some people do. So maybe there’s a little bit of fear there. And for the record, I’m not scared of rain, unless it starts a flood, in which case all bets are off.”
He leaned forward, refilling her glass from the water carafe Juan had left them. Their plates of cheese and fresh French bread had long since been emptied. “If it floods, I think we’ll be okay. We’re on a hilltop, there’s no safer place to be. And if the worst comes to the worst, I’ve always fancied myself as a knight in shining armor. I’ll save you.”
“I bet you would.” She was trying to stop an inane smile from breaking out on her lips. Spending time with him was like looking into the sun. Dazzling and bright, yet oh-so-warming. She wanted to bask in him.
“Have you ever thought about going back to therapy? Giving it a try again?”
She blinked. “That’s even more personal than asking me about my bathing habits.”
