Dallas’s jaw pulses. “I wish there was more we could do, but finding a new designer will cut our timetable by a lot.”
“What if I can get Haven to reconsider?”
“We don’t have time for this,” Dean says.
“We have time,” I argue. “Let me get them to reconsider, and if they don’t, I want to reserve the right to fund the interior design myself. With interest.” I’m desperate, and I hate when I sound desperate. It adds to the feeling of chaos I despise so much.
Dallas considers what I’m saying for a total of ten seconds before he stands and shakes my hand. “Convince them to move forward, and you’ve got it. If you can’t, then I’ll see to it you’re free to use your money how you want, Mr. Huntington.”
A weight is lifted off my chest. I thank him, ignore the, no doubt, scathing glare from Dean, and turn to go.
“Ryder,” Dallas says before I leave. “I wish you luck. Carina Haven is not an easy woman to negotiate with when money is on the line.”
I’m not worried about Carina Haven. I’m worried about the designer working for her. I’ve avoided the fact that she reentered my life for good reason. Maybe it’s a little cowardly, but I’ve had it in my head that staying away from Ava is for the best.
Odds are, I can work with one side of the company and Ava won’t even know I’ve been there.
I tell myself the same lie for the entire drive.
Ava
“Tell me,again, what you were thinking?” Carina clicks her tongue. She crosses her ankles and taps one toe of her stilettos. The woman is the epitome of pizazz in her cerulean skirt with ruffles striking her mid-thigh, and a sequin top that slings off one shoulder.
This is the ultimate humiliation: To be seated in the center of Carina’s office like I’m on trial. Maybe in a way I am, but a prickle of nerves starts at the base of my spine and dances up to my scalp until I’m certain sweat will be dribbling down my temples any second.
Annika, Carina’s number two, is seated to my left. James is on my right. One sends me dagger eyes, the other gives me a smirk like we’ll laugh about this over the lattes Carlos brought when this is over.
I wish I shared James’s optimism.
If I thought last week was bad, this week is worse. Much worse. I blame Carlos, the king of lattes and Carina’s current lover.
I’ve lost track of Carina’s frequent fliers at this point. Usually they’re nameless, but I know Carlos’s name since he’s nice to us peasants and brings us coffee and carbs. However, the man is not my favorite today. He brought Carina back from their romantic getaway early and should’ve kept her away. Preferably until the new year. That would’ve been ideal.
I try to glare at the man from where he’s slouched on a rich, purple couch, his long legs extended, and his cell phone in front of his face. As if he senses my scrutiny, Carlos lifts his dark eyes and winks.
Ugh. At least he’s not talking. That Puerto Rican accent has the power to black out the mind and numb all reason.
“Do you plan on answering me, Ava?” Carina presses with a little shriek to her tone. “Or should I leave you alone with Carlos?”
Kill. Me. Now.
“Sorry. I . . . I really don’t know what you want me to say, Carina. Someone called the police, but it was resolved quickly.” Lies. Ryder did not resolve quickly. The arrogant, sexy man has been stealing my thoughts all week. I thought of attempting the phone number I still keep tucked like a dirty secret in my contacts, but never did.
What would I say?
Hi, Ryder, great to see you over the weekend despite the circumstances. You know, I still cry over you. Oh, and sometimes I watch your games and hate you all over again. You suck. Oh, but I think my heart still wants to love you.
Yeah. I didn’t call.
Carina narrows her eyes. “Resolved. And that is an adequate answer for you? You’re satisfied? No thought for if there might’ve been any damage done to Haven’s reputation?”
“Well, I—”
“No care that you had unauthorized people on the job site?”
“Carina, I only—”
“I don’t want excuses.” Carina holds up a finger, silencing me straightaway. With a heavy sigh, she steeples her fingers in front of her plump lips. “You are removed from the Sea Wing Hotel job.”
