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“I would have, too,” I admit. “If I had been in your shoes.”
“So, let’s not ever fight like this again,” Liv says. “Because I’ve been sick to my stomach for days, and I just can’t do it.”
“Agreed. Never again. You’ll always know what’s going on with me, even if I have to just leave you a voice message or something.”
“Same.” Liv lets out a relieved sigh. “Thank God that’s over.”
“Right? That was the worst.”
“Okay, now tell me about Gray.”
The waitress interrupts us when she comes to take our orders, but when she’s gone, I grin at Liv.
“First thing’s first. Tell me he’s hot.”
“I mean, I am in love with Vaughn, totally and completely, but now that that disclaimer is out there, yeah. Gray’s a fine specimen of man, Stel. But what about the age thing?”
“Everyone seems to be hung up on that part, but it’s never been an issue for us. He’s a great guy. Funny, sweet, charming. Loves his family.”
“Big bonus,” Liv says.
“The sex is just…I don’t even have the words.”
“Isn’t that the best?” She wrinkles her nose in that way she does when she’s happy. “When the sex is so good that it just surprises you?”
“I didn’t know about it until about two weeks ago, but, yeah. It’s something.”
“I’m excited for you,” she says and does a little shimmy on her side of the booth. “It’s fun to be all aflutter over a hot man. Now, how is the big project at work going? Is that one for Ms. Paddington?”
“Yes, but I have only spoken with her once.”
Liv blinks at me. “But you’re heading a major renovation on her house.”
“One of her houses,” I remind her. Florence owns the Seattle professional football team and was a referral through my uncle Will, who played for the organization for close to twenty years. “I mostly talk with her assistant. But the good news is, it’s done.”
“It’s done?”
“Yes.” I pull my phone out of my bag with excitement. “In fact, after this, I’m headed to the house for the unveiling. Florence just got into town today.”
“Oh my God, show me,” Liv says and moves from her side of the booth to mine so we can look at the photos together.
“She wanted a French country home theme, so it looks a little rustic, but it’s all state of the art and, in my opinion, absolutely beautiful. Look at this butler’s pantry.”
“I need this,” Liv decides. “You will come to our house and make this happen for me right away.”
“I’d love to get my hands on that house,” I reply with a grin. “I just love all the exposed brick and the brightness with all those windows and light colors. The furniture is all new throughout the entire house. It was a true and complete renovation, from top to bottom.”
“Stella, this is your very best work. It must have cost a fortune.”
“A fortune and a half,” I confirm. “I can’t wait to show her. But first, I need to eat this burger and hang with you for a while longer. How are things with you guys? Are you sick of that commute yet?”
“It’s not ideal,” she says. “Vancouver really isn’t that far away, but it’s far enough that when you have to drive it all the time, it’s a pain in the ass.”
“I bet.”
“But it would be worse not to see Vaughn for weeks at a time, so it is what it is, you know?”
“And how is work?”
“Really good. I love it so much. More than I ever thought I would, and that was a lot. I’m working on two different projects right now. A zombie movie, which is way too fun, and another rom-com. I love those.”
“Look at us. A couple of kick-ass bosses just living our best lives.”
“We’re pretty awesome,” she agrees and clinks her glass of Coke to mine. “Grade-A badasses.”
I drive my car through the open gates of Florence’s house and take a long, deep breath. I’m always a little nervous—in a good way—when it’s time to show off the finished product after completing a job.
But this one was big. And because of who Florence is and how influential she is, this could mean huge things for my career. I poured my heart and soul into this design, and I just really want her to love it.
“You did all of the things she asked for,” I remind myself as I gather my handbag and climb out of the car. “This is going to be fun.”
I walk up to the front door, use the code to unlock it, and walk inside. I made arrangements with Karen, Florence’s assistant, that I would be here first to turn on the lights and get it looking just so. Then, they’ll meet me here for the fun part.
I hurry through the house to flip on lights, fuss with fresh flowers, and am changing the pillows on a settee in the parlor when I hear the doorbell.
