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“Honestly?” Luke sighs. “Feels like the bastard’s playing games with us. Stringing us along so we keep sucking up to him. I get fucked up vibes from him that he’s not gonna sell to anyone. He’s got two sons lined up in his business, so it never sat right with me that he’d sell.”
I clench my jaw, hating to admit Luke’s right or that Drake’s used us as fucking puppets.
“Anyway, there’s a new potential job over in Denmark. I might need to fly over there next weekend to inspect potential new warehouses and factories.”
“If I wasn’t headed to Alaska for my friend’s wedding, I’d join you.” He leans back in his chair. “Always wanted to go there.”
“It’s not a fun meeting. We’re meeting with clients far from any civilization and running back-to-back tours of their facilities and meetings. And if I was taking anyone, it would have been Sapphire.”
“Ouch, that burns. You’re replacing me so quickly.”
I chuckle. “So, things are going well with your girl, then?”
“I’m meeting her parents at the wedding.” He’s grinning like he’s won the lottery. “So, yeah, you could say things are getting serious.”
“Growing up suits you,” I tease, knowing he turns thirty this year, and he’s always said he’d be settled down.
Luke’s on his feet and strolls out of the office, throwing over his shoulder, “Well, I gotta go make a few calls, then head home to get ready for the party.”
Alone with my memories of two nights ago, with me going for a walk into the garden, sits on my mind. With Sapphire following me and baring my soul to her. Revealing the truth about my father had been unexpected. Only one other person knows about it, and he’s just left the room. And now Sapphire… and there’s something comforting in the knowledge.
Trying to ground myself, I pull open my laptop and click on the first document. Every word blurs together, and nothing makes sense. I’ve read the first line ten times, and I still don’t know what it’s saying. Not when all I can think about is her…
Rising from my desk, I leave my room behind, needing to find Sapphire and discover what she’s doing. After asking a few of the workers in the mansion, I’m directed to the kitchen.
What I find is chaos. A section of the grand, industrial kitchen looks like a war zone of flour. And right in the middle of it stands Sapphire with flour in her hair, across her nose, and somehow even on the ceiling.
Her mouth opens in shock at spotting me, and she holds up a hand defensively.
“Oh, no, you can’t be here. Get out!” she orders playfully. “I’m creating a surprise for you.”
“Really?” I arch an eyebrow for effect. “Now, I’m really curious.”
“My favorite poppy seed cake and… homemade mac and cheese,” she says sheepishly. “Though nothing is shaping up as I’d hoped.”
A laugh escapes me. I’m shocked no one tried to stop her from destroying the kitchen. But she’s utterly adorable in this mess.
“Well, I can’t pass up the chance to try your dishes,” I explain, rolling up the sleeves of my shirt. “Need some assistance?” I step onto the battlefield, unsure where to begin.
Her eyes sparkle. “You have no idea how much I would love that.”
“I have an idea.” I pull out my mobile phone from my back pocket. “How about we focus on the cake, and some delicious mac and cheese will be delivered to us in about forty-five minutes?”
Her gaze widens. “Shut up! Please tell me you’re ordering it from Papa’s Pasta.”
I grin, making a selection from their online delivery site, selecting the mac and cheese in every flavor they have. “I don’t think you’d forgive me if I ordered it from anywhere else.”
She squeaks and does a mini dance that has me laughing just as she knocks over an open pack of flour. Suddenly, I can see we may never make that cake, but I’m going to love trying.
I’m at her side in seconds and sweep her to sit up on the table, so she’s at eye level with me, and we’re kissing before she can protest. I decide then that this is exactly what I need to distract myself from my work.
CHAPTERTEN
SAPPHIRE
It’s been four weeks since I moved in with Hawk Kline, and today, he flew off to Denmark. He told me he’d be gone for close to a week, but I already miss him. His home feels empty, and I don’t know what to do with myself.
Sitting on the balcony overlooking the vast landscape around me, daydreaming about what it would be like to live here all the time, is a start. Could such a life ever truly be mine?
