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She quickly turned to her computer and scrolled through her sent emails. Damn it, she was sure she still had her very definite answer on an email. There it was, in writing. As she usually did, she’d also sent an email message to Dale, confirming that she was not taking the job.
And as far as she remembered, he’d accepted her answer in writing as well. She scrolled down to the email he’d sent and read through it again. He’d said he was sorry about it but accepted her decision. It was there in writing, so what happened?
There was a knock on her door and Susan entered, trying to look grave, but her eyes were twinkling just a tad too brightly for Zoe’s liking.
“Zoe, I’m really sorry about this misunderstanding. You said I could sign any contract I think would suit the firm…”
“I know and you’re right. But I very specifically told Dale Cavallo I don’t want the job. Were you able to get hold of him?”
Susan nodded and sat down quickly. “I’ve spoken to him, but he said we’ve signed a contract and it’s binding. He’s expecting you this afternoon.”
Zoe stared at Susan for a few minutes while frustration clawed at her insides. She did not want to work with the guy; she didn’t want to see him. Seriously? Why would he insist they do this when he knew she didn’t want to do it?
The kiss. Of course. He was probably looking for revenge because she had walked away before he could do so.
She finally became aware that Susan was staring at her.
Susan cleared her throat. “So, this Dale—did something happen between the two of you?”
“No… yes… no!” Zoe called out in frustration. “Nothing happened. I’ll go see him and settle this. I just can’t… don’t want to work with family,” she said, using the first excuse she could think of. “It’s never a good idea.”
Susan sighed dramatically. “If you say so. Everyone was so looking forward to this project and not least of all because Dale Cavallo would have been involved,” she said and swooned. “He’s so gorgeous. I can’t believe you didn’t snatch him up.”
“Nobody is snatching anybody up,” Zoe said, just about gnashing her teeth, and picked up one of the other contracts. “Tell me about this. It looks interesting.”
With a knowing look, Susan began to talk about the project and explained some of the ideas she and the team had come up with.
Zoe tried to concentrate on what Susan was saying, but she fumed inside. The gall of the man. Except for the kiss, he’d normally just glare at her. And she was over the ridiculous crush she had on him, she was sure of that.
What had happened to change a surly Dale into a kissing one, she had no idea, but even after three months, she vividly remembered she hadn’t even put up a fight. At all.
She was so ashamed of her behavior. So ashamed, in fact, she hadn’t been able to bring herself to tell her sisters about the kiss, and they told one another everything.
What Hannah would say about it, Zoe could just imagine. Her sister made no secret she couldn’t stand the sight of Darryn Cavallo and she kind of felt the same way about all his brothers. Don might be an exception, she actually liked her brother-in-law.
So telling Hannah had not been an option. And Caitlin was useless at the moment—she was still walking around starry-eyed and would probably think it was a good idea.
And the last person she would ever tell was her mother. Any mention of kissing thrilled her romantic soul and the scene would probably be used in her next romance novel, heaven forbid.
There was nothing else to do. She would have to meet Dale this afternoon and just pretend they’d never locked lips. Zoe touched her mouth. Oh, hell.
“What do you think?” Susan’s voice penetrated Zoe’s chaotic thoughts, and she pushed the contract towards Susan.
“It sounds great, thanks, Susan. I’ll meet you back here later today, then you can show me what you and the team have come up with.” She stood up.
Susan frowned and also stood up. “But that’s what I’ve been doing…”
“Of course, but in more detail, I mean.” Zoe checked her watch. “I… I have a few calls to make.” Susan finally left.
By the time Zoe parked in front of the hotel where the Cavallos had their offices, she was a nervous wreck. She inhaled deeply, trying to get some much-needed oxygen in her lungs and lowered her head on to the steering wheel. Her breathing was erratic, her heartbeat completely out of rhythm, her hands were clammy. And all because she was going to see Dale.
Exasperated with herself and the whole situation, she flipped down the sun visor and checked her makeup in the little mirror. Her pale, worried face stared back. Lipstick. Definitely more lipstick. She rummaged around in her handbag until she found one. Good, this one was nice and red. It sent a clear I’m-in-control-and-you-are-not-going-to rattle-me message.
Finally, she got out of her car and put her sunglasses firmly in place. He’s just a man, remember? And she’d been handling men since puberty. And whatever ridiculous feelings she’d experienced when he’d kissed her way back in February were probably the result of too much champagne. She was over the guy. Today’s discussion was all business. Business that she was getting out of as quickly as possible.
