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When he awoke, she was gone. He rolled off the ridiculously comfortable lounger and found a sticky note on his laptop inside.
Off to work. Looks like we’ll have to have our surf and turf tonight.
xoxo,
G
Amused that she’d signed with his nickname for her, he showered and cleaned up his beard, and donned his swim trunks in deference to the already spiking heat.
He took his computer out under the pergola and lost himself in code. He got a text from her that she’d sent for the driver and to have the steaks ready. She was starving.
Happy to cook for her and to get away from the computer screen, he went in to get ready.
Sixteen
Presley foundherself smiling as she used the glass cleaner on the last display case. They’d had three days of bliss. They both worked the day away and loved through the nights.
She’d never actually talked to someone like Vance. Really talked. About her dreams, his aspirations, about their families. She was developing a taste for the full-bodied red wines he loved simply because they sat out in the sand and talked for hours.
The last few days had shown her that he wasn’t quite as perfect as she’d feared. He had annoying penchant to take over and do things for her. While it was sweet at times, she’d been an independent woman for quite a few years. She wasn’t really good at handing anyone the reins.
Like this trip. He hadn’t asked for her input, just took it upon himself to take care of all the details. While incredibly romantic, it was also high-handed. And while she’d admit that she got a little more sensitive the closer it came to the day for the Expo, she was handling it.
Just like her father had predicted, Friday had been a complete madhouse. The store had been busy from the momentit opened until she finally shooed people out an hour after they normally closed.
Marta was still with her mother after she took a bad spill. Luckily nothing had been broken, but she needed to get her mom settled and through the worst of the aches.
She was due back today, which only made her more anxious. If only Marta had been able to make the early flight out of Barbados, Presley might have been able to set up her booth for the afternoon.
She wouldn’t be eligible for the magazine spread, but she might have gotten eyes on her pieces.
The clock had been taunting her all day.
Now that it was after two she’d given herself over to the fact that this year simply wasn’t her year. She’d have to make her father realize that the Expo was just as important as their business. One sale of a collection could put them in the black for years.
They wouldn’t have to rely on Vance’s generosity. She could pay for his time. She could actually find a manager to run the store because she’d have the money to pay a handsome salary that would lure serious applicants.
She could finally do what she loved.
She just had to have a better plan to get it done this time. Not hide her intentions.
The hours melted away and four o’clock came up on the register tape. They were five deep with customers and the bell rang again. A familiar red headdress appeared above the customers.
Oh, please. Her smile bloomed as Marta cut through the customers and behind the counter with her.
“I’m sorry, baby. I tried to get here earlier.”
“It’s okay. You’re here now.” She lowered her voice. “Trudy is useless.”
“Oh, don’t I know it.” Her lyrical laugh chimed out. She placed her palms on the velvet swatch in front of her. “Now how can I help you, sir?”
With Marta finally there, they were able to clear out the store as people needed to get back to their shuttles to the cruise liner. They were heading out to the next island that night.
“Marta, I hate to do this to you.”
“Go. I know you want to check out the booths. Gotta see your competition, don’t you?”
“Thanks.” She shrugged out of the lab coat she’d worn against the blasting air conditioning. She swapped out her comfortable flats for strappy heeled sandals that matched the gold chain ladder necklace she’d paired with her white flowing dress.
