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As soon as I have the large door shut behind me, I walk over to the couch and put a throw pillow against my face, screaming into it until my lungs burn. With a deep breath in and out, I place it carefully back on the couch and turn toward the wax burner sitting on the end table next to it. If there’s one thing I love most it’s fall, which is why fall decorations adorn my space.
I flip the burner on with a smile, then slowly make my way over to my desk as if I didn’t just let out all my frustration a minute ago. There are a few important emails waiting for me and I get through them quickly before pulling my phone out. After having three hours of a drive to think about things, I’m not sure what I should do anymore for the Dudley Ranch.
Justine wanted to get together when I got back, so maybe she’ll be up for lunch today at the diner across the street. The ping on my phone alerts me to the meeting I have in an hour, so I push my phone aside and gather everything I need for it. When I steal another glance at the device thirty minutes later, Justine still hasn’t responded, so I chime for Alicia.
Her smile is bright when she walks in, like her hot pink outfit she has on that reminds me of Barbie, and she asks, “What’s up?”
“I have a meeting in thirty and I’m trying to get a hold of Justine. Could you call her while I’m out and see if she can have lunch with me this afternoon?” This isn’t the usual kind of thing I’d have Alicia do, schedule outings with my friends, but I need advice as soon as possible, and desperate times call for desperate measures.
“Of course. Is there anything else you need?”
I shake my head with a smile. “Not that I can think of. If anything else comes to mind, I’ll let you know on my way out.”
When Alicia lets the door fall shut behind her, I lean back into the chair and breathe in the pumpkin scent wafting through the air. It takes me back to the ranch and how it looked with all the trees changing color — bright yellows, reds, oranges. A myriad of colors that took every breath away as I strolled through the fields. The crunching of leaves under my boots has always been one of my favorite sounds in the fall, reminding me of my younger days when I would put them into a pile and jump into it.
My phone ringing on the desk snaps me out of my daydream and I snatch the device up, smiling when I see Justine’s name. “Justine, hey! I was just going to see if you wanted to grab lunch with me today?”
“Yes, I’m in desperate need of girl time for even one meal.” There’s a hint of sadness in her voice, but I’ll question her on that later on. “What time?”
If the meeting lasts as long as I’m thinking, I should be able to make it to the diner around one. “An hour? I have a meeting right now, but as soon as I get out of it I’ll meet you there.”
“Sounds good. See you soon. Love you!”
I reach into my purse and pull my tube of lipstick out, the exact one I put on the night Brent and I kissed, and paint a new coating onto my lips. This flavor is Cherry Berry, a new one that I couldn’t miss grabbing when I was out shopping one day, and I haven’t been able to wear another color since that kiss. It’s taken over my entire life at this point, and that only makes my dilemma that much worse — I can’t wait for that lunch.
Heath’s waiting outside the conference room when my meeting ends, leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets and a smirk aimed my way. “Sydney, I thought we could grab something to eat today, talk some more about the ranch project.”
“I would, but I already have plans with Justine for lunch. Can we take a rain check for tomorrow?” I’d also love nothing more than to delay that conversation as long as possible, so I’m grateful Justine’s already waiting for me. I glance at the time on my Apple Watch and frown. “I’m already late; set something up with Alicia for tomorrow and I’ll be there.”
Before he can try to worm his way into my lunch plans, I scurry down the hall and push through the elevator doors. When I spin around, Heath’s eyes are narrowed on me and I dart my gaze away from him. He’s always had this annoying way of getting under my skin, and not in a comfortable way. I wrap a scarf around my neck as I strut through the lobby, then walk through the revolving doors and get hit in the face with a blast of cold air.
Nothing like the fall weather.
My boots click against the pavement as I walk through the crowd surrounding me, everyone else probably doing the same thing as I am, and I hurry across the street before the light turns green. The diner sits at the corner, looking every bit authentic as always, and I smile as I pull the entrance open. Apple pie is the first thing you smell every time you walk in here, so I take a moment to enjoy the scent before casting my gaze around the diner for Justine.
I smile brightly when Justine waves at me from the far corner booth, standing at attention with her own smile, and I quickly make my way over to her. The waitress who usually works when I come here is already standing at the table, pen poised just above her notebook as if she ever needs it for me, and she smiles. “What can I get for you today, Sydney?”
“The usual,” I say, then turn my attention to Justine who rattles off her order. As soon as the waitress is out of earshot, I lean forward with a sigh. “I’m in need of your advice.”
“What’s going on?”
“It’s about the project I’m doing for work,” I mutter, fiddling with the straw that’s sitting on the table.
“The one with the hot cowboy on it?”
I roll my eyes, trying to play along, but the idea of her calling him hot has my blood burning with jealousy. “Yeah, sure, we’ll go with that.”
“Well, what do you need advice on?” She smirks mischievously and I push her shoulder playfully, knowing exactly where her mind has gone. “What? I didn’t even say anything!”
“You don’t have to. I’ve known you long enough that I can hear your brain all the way over here, so get it out of the gutter.” I groan and rest my chin on my hand, not bothering to glance at the waitress as she sits our drinks down on the table. “It’s about what Heath has me doing. I need you to tell me I should keep doing it.”
“Is there a reason you wouldn’t?” Justine asks, taking a large sip of her milkshake.
“There’s just something about it that feels wrong, like I’m betraying Brent and Nathan. I’m not sure I want to keep gathering information, but if I don’t, Heath will put someone else on the project and kick me off — which means I won’t see them again.”
She nods slowly in understanding, then shrugs. “So, act like you’re going to get the information and don’t. I’m sure you could think of something in the gorgeous head of yours to throw Heath off your ass.”
“He wants to have lunch tomorrow to talk about the project. I’m not so sure I’ll be able to act my way through anything at the rate he’s going.” I’ve never seen Heath so invested in a project, especially needing a lunch to go over it. Is there another reason why he wants to go to lunch? He has to know I’d never take him back, but men are stupid like that and he’s got this giant ego that makes him think everyone wants him.
