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“In terms of physical traits, maybe not. But you’re a person who stands out in awholeother way—and without even trying. You look so calm, collected, and put-together that it makes guys want to get under your skin and see if they have what it takes to ruffle your feathers. The more dominant they are, the more challenged they seem to feel by you. Dax probably wasn’t an exception to that.” She paused. “You seem really surprised that he contacted you.”
I sat back in my chair. “I am. I mean, I wouldn’t have expected him to consider hiring Sapphire Glade.”
Sabrina frowned. “Why not? We have a shit-hot reputation and are known for going the extra mile.”
“Yes, but he’s Felicity’s cousin.”
“So?”
“So he’ll know that hiring our company is something she won’t like,” I said with a sweep of my hand, almost knocking over my typewriter-penholder.Idiot.
Sabrina’s frown deepened. “Given his general nature, I really don’t see him letting something like that sway his actions. I certainly can’t see him letting it get in the way of a business decision. Typically,youwouldn’t allow personal stuff to do that either.”
“And I don’t intend to do it now. But I have the distinct feeling Felicity won’t like if I take the job. Not that I care. I just mean it’s possible she’ll ask Dax to hire another company. Especially since Grayden and I agreed to stay out of each other’s orbit when we split—they move in similar circles. They were even friends back when they were in their teens.”
Sabrina shrugged. “Grayden associates with Kaelie and Theo as well. I haven’t been able to convince you to sit out their wedding, despite my best efforts.”
“I made it clear to Grayden when we separated that I wouldn’t do that—he said he understood.”
“Well, he’ll just have to understand this, too. That asshole doesn’t have a say in what you do, and hecertainlydoesn’t have a say in what Sapphire Glade does. Neither does Felicity. Hopefully, Dax will also feel that this has nothing to do with them, because I’ll be bummed if we don’t get this job.”
“I’m not saying I think he’llcarethat they won’t like it. I just know he loathes drama. Few people are better at causing drama than Felicity.”
“Pure fact. Unfortunately. But she’ll probably be leery of pissing him off and ending up in his bad books. That’s a placeno onewants to be.”
Sabrina was not wrong. Dax wasn’t a man to be trifled with. Those who dared? Well, he had a way of making them regret it.
“I doubt being his cousin would make a person an exception to a rule when it comes to someone like Dax,” Sabrina added, “so we’re likely fretting over nothing.” She rose to her feet. “Can you squeeze in a meeting with him tomorrow morning?”
“Yes. I only have afternoon meetings scheduled for tomorrow.”
“Then email Dax back and confirm that you’ll be at his office in the morning as requested. For now, you and I have venues to go see.”
“Fine. Just note that if my hormones have another nervous breakdown around him, you’re not allowed to find it amusing.”
“So noted.”
Chapter Two
Driving past the “Welcome to Oakengrove” sign later that day, I caught sight of one of my neighbors walking her dog. I lightly tooted my horn, and she gave me a brief wave in return.
Oakengrove was much like a holiday resort. Cleaning and cooking services were provided, and there were plenty of places you could spend your time—such as the pools, bars, restaurants, wellness center, and even the gym.
You could live in an apartment, a luxury villa, a pretty town house, a detached dwelling, a forest lodge, or a Cape Cod-style home like the one I’d purchased only five months ago. It felt like I’d lived in the village years. Ilovedit.
As I drove down my street, I noticed Harri’s car parked at the curb outside my home. It was no surprise, since I knew that she and Alicia—who was currently living with me—had ventured out shopping today.
Alicia had returned to Redwater a month ago, after she’d separated from her boyfriend of two years. They had lived in New York together, and they’d seemed happy. But she’d recently appeared on my doorstep,announcedshe was done with him, and hadn’t yet elaborated on why.
Though, since we were only a year apart in age, we’d always been close, I hadn’t put pressure on her to open up about it. None of our family had, because we knew better. She’d talk when she was ready—not before.
Pulling into my driveway, I parked my car beside hers. As I unclipped my seatbelt, I felt my lips curve at the sight of my gray—and somewhat antisocial, not to mention disdainful—tabby cat sitting on the top step.
Gypsy often did that, acting like a lion surveying its territory. She would hiss at every animal that passed—cat, dog, bird, whatever. Oh, and the neighbor on our left hand side, Jenson. But then, I’d come close to hissing at the creep myself.
I grabbed my purse, slid out of the car, locked it with the key fob, and then strolled up the path. My small, two-storied house was pretty as a picture. It had a gabled roof, portico, lattice windows, and trails of ivy running up the cream-colored front walls.
As I arrived at the door, I reached down and gave Gypsy a light scratch on the head. She allowed it for a few seconds but then stood and moved away. At times, she was terribly affectionate and wanted to sit on your lap for hours. Other times, she would give you the honor of allowing you to briefly pet her but would then dismiss you.
