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I was used to my friend trying to get me to see things a different way, but I was stubborn and desperate to put Silas back into the box I’d labeledEnemy. “He did it on purpose to piss me off. I bet he offered him an incentive.”
“Harrison is building a business, just like you are. He’s not going to turn down paying customers,” Harper insisted.
I sighed. “I’m not mad at Harrison.”
“You came to this wedding to get some insight into Silas. We didn’t find anything, so maybe there isn’t anything to find. He runs a good business, just like you do. You can coexist. You aren’t offering the same things.”
I’d gotten insight into how skilled Silas was with his fingers and tongue. I wasn’t nearly done exploring that side of him, but I refocused on our conversation. “I don’t like that he poached my vendor.”
“He didn’t, though. He works for both of you,” Harper said, familiar with the way my mind worked. It took time for me to see things differently, if ever.
“I’ll never forgive him for it.” I wouldn’t forgive him for how my body reacted to him.
Harper laughed. “You didn’t exactly like him before you learned about Harrison.”
I smiled, wondering if hate sex was a thing. “True.”
“Your brothers are friends with him. Maybe he’s not that bad.”
I was sure my brothers didn’t see the side of him that I had today. “Silas has taken some of the biggest clients from me recently. I can’t let it continue. I need to figure out a way to handle this. I’m trying to get the Christmas Tree Farm on board. It’s something we could offer that’s different.”
“Have they changed their mind about working with us?” Harper asked.
“They won’t give me a definitive answer.” My stomach tightened. The Monroes' farm was an amazing possibility. It would increase our weddings during the winter. I wanted to be able to offer it as an option, since so many brides were interested in holiday and winter-themed weddings.
“Is it the son—Emmett—that’s the issue?
Lori, the woman who owned the farm, was interested, but her grumpy son, Emmett, wasn’t. I couldn’t blame him for being worried about the effect it would have on his Christmas tree customers, but I was used to getting what I wanted. There was an angle to pursue there. I just hadn’t figured out what it was. “I think so. I’m going to send Ireland to talk to him. Maybe she can talk some sense into him.” Ireland had a knack for dealing with difficult brides, and grumpy men shouldn’t be any different.
“You’re successful because you’re hardworking and the brides know you’d do anything for them.”
It felt good to hear someone else say I was successful, but I felt like a fraud, especially when the business wasn’t as profitable as I’d like. “I have to figure this out.”
Harper leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “Don’t look now, but he’s watching us.”
“I won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he gets to me.” Although it was probably too late for that. Silas had the ability to read me like no one else. That’s what made me think he’d be great in bed, and I really wanted to give in to the temptation and find out.
“Are you still planning on staying the night?” Harper asked.
I nodded as a man in a suit approached me. “Would you like to dance?
He looked handsome, but he didn’t spark anything inside me.
I glanced over at Silas to make sure he was watching, then placed my hand in his. “I’d love to.”
“I’m going to head out. I need to get Evie,” Harper said.
Knowing Leo would take care of her, I said, “Have a good night.”
The man pulled me into his arms. “I’m Deacon.”
“Gia.” I smiled tightly, wanting to put on a good show for Silas but not feeling comfortable in this man’s arms. Not like I had in Silas’s.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Silas stalking toward us. My heart galloped in my chest for what I hoped would be a confrontation.
Three
SILAS
