“My friend, Rachel Crane, has been bugging me to go into business together. Last night, the general manager of Ridgecrest Golf Club offered me a contract to plan their events.” She smiled from ear-to-ear. “Working with the club is a great opportunity to get our new business recognized.”
Ryan remembered the stab of jealousy wreaking havoc on his heart upon seeing Britt speaking to the other man. Thankfully, when the air-bound bouquet presented itself, the flowers were the perfect excuse to have Hershey interrupt their conversation. Now, knowing what the discussion involved, he should feel remorse, but didn’t. The panic Ryan saw in Britt’s eyes as the bouquet soared high above gave cause for springing into action. “What about interior design?”
“I’m hoping to combine the two. While I was waiting for you to arrive this evening, I called Rachel. She’ll do the planning and organizing, and I’ll create the design. I love to take a blank canvass and turn it into something beautiful. Decorating for a client’s event or a living space is the best of both worlds.” She held up her hands, spreading her fingers wide and staring at the space between them.
He loved that she was visualizing her dream in the palm of her hands and eager to grab it. “If you need my help with anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m sure Dylan would lend a hand, too. He built the media unit in my family room and the mantel.” When Dylan wasn’t partying and chasing women, he was a master at turning wood into works of art. “His shop is doing well.”
“I’ll talk to him about creating an arbor for outdoor weddings.” She inhaled a deep breath. “So, do you really think I can do this?”
Ryan reached for her trembling hand and brought it to his lips. “You can do anything you set your mind to, and I’m with you every step of the way.”
The waitress retuned with their order.
Ryan and Britt chatted between mouthfuls then shared a piece of strawberry cheesecake. He could get used to feeding each other and licking the whipped cream from Britt’s lips, which he held back from doing tonight. Maybe he’d order another slice to share at his place.
A half hour later, Ryan rested his elbows on the table. “You’ll be a busy lady starting a new business. I hope you’ll still find time to go jogging with us.”
“Every day. I don’t want Hershey charging innocent bystanders in the park.” She giggled, waving a finger. “They might not be as nice as me.”
“Hershey’s mission is complete.” He asked his dog for help and was led to Britt. Ryan owed Hershey. “His days of stalking the park are over. There’s a conservation area behind the house with lots of trees, wide trails, and a picnic area. I can’t wait to show you. You’ll love the—”
“Ryan?” A woman with short, blonde hair stopped her stride and approached the table.
That voice. The walls closed in. The click of high heels echoed from the wooden floor. Ryan willed a breath to come.
“I thought I recognized you.” The woman bent and wrapped her arms around his neck. “How are you?”
A heavy scent of perfume drowned his nostrils. What is Dawn doing here? He stared at his ex-girlfriend. Dawn resembled a model stepping out from a magazine. Her black dress hugged every curve, her makeup was immaculate, and her earlobes, neck, and wrists held bling bright enough to blind. She hadn’t changed a bit since the day they parted. “I’m good.” Not really. He didn’t need this confrontation. Not now. Tonight was all about growing a future with Britt. Not digging in the past. “What are you doing here?”
“Had a few days free and decided to visit.” Dawn glanced over her shoulder. “I’m here with friends. I heard you built this restaurant and had to check it out.”
He didn’t bother to correct her statement. Dawn had no idea about the difference between engineering and construction.
“I’m surprised to see you.” Dawn waved a hand. The clunky bracelet on her wrist sparkled in the dim lighting. “This isn’t your typical hangout.”
Ryan ignored her tactless comment. He stood and stepped beside Britt’s chair. “This is Britt, my girlfriend.” He loved saying those words. “Britt, this is Dawn.”
Dawn turned to Britt. “His ex-girlfriend.” She held out a hand. “You must be special, because Ryan normally hates these fancy restaurants. He’s more of a pizza at home kind of guy.”
“Then we’re perfect for each other. I’d rather have a meat-lovers pizza over lobster any day.” Britt smiled and shook Dawn’s hand. “There’s nothing better than cuddling on the sofa in your sweatpants.”
Britt left his snobby ex at a loss for words. Something that rarely happened. He kissed Britt’s cheek.
“Well…how nice…for both of you.” Dawn glanced toward the door. “I’d better catch my friends. Nice to see you again, Ryan. We must get together for lunch while I’m home.”
The click of stilettos crossed the floor to the exit made the air become breathable. “That wasn’t awkward at all.” Ryan returned to his chair. “Dawn isn’t one for subtlety.”
“She screams glitz and glam.” Britt raised her eyebrows. “Looks as though she’s doing well.”
“Dawn was a model, but she wanted to get into acting. She moved to New York when some big-shot producer promised her a part in one of his upcoming movies. That offer had her packing and booking a flight the next day. She didn’t care who she left behind. Making it big was all that mattered.” At the time, he was upset by her selfishness, but also welcomed her departure. “We had already drifted apart, so the breakup was painless. Needless to say, we haven’t kept in touch.”
“She seemed happy to see you, yet not in this environment?”
“You caught her spiteful comments, too.” He chuckled then stood to drape her white sweater over her shoulders. “Thank you for adding your thoughts.”
Standing, Britt reached for her purse. “I love an evening out, but cuddling on the sofa while watching a movie is the best.”
Ryan slipped an arm around her waist, whispering in her ear. “You’re a woman after my heart.”
****
Britt closed the lid of the box sitting on her desk. She’d pack up her belongs and had one task remaining. Walking past the other employee’s cubicles, she heard her heart racing a steady beat. Was she making the right decision by quitting her job? She raised a hand then paused before knocking. Last night, Ryan’s encouragement gave her the determination to move forward. He had been clearly stunned by the interruption after dinner. The color on his cheeks had drained to a ghostly white, yet he stayed composed and didn’t flinch when his ex threw the past in his face. Ryan said the breakup was trouble-free, but Britt wasn’t so sure. Dawn acted like a jealous woman who now regretted leaving.
For a brief moment, Britt feared the ex’s reappearance would complicate her connection to Ryan. After they left the restaurant last night, they returned to Ryan’s house to watch a movie and pig-out on popcorn. They took a lingering stroll in the backyard with Hershey, before Ryan drove her home. The kiss in his truck left her breathless and wanting more. His attentiveness set her worries to rest.
She knocked on her boss’ door, ready to take another step of leaving fear behind. Britt walked into the office and stopped, resting her hands on the back of one of the chairs in front of her boss’ desk. “Good morning, Mr. Carlton.” Several times, he had insisted she call him by his first name, but Britt preferred to retain a professional relationship, preventing any misunderstandings.
Her boss glanced over the rim of his glasses. “What’s so good about it?”
He was seven years older, but today looked at least twenty more. Bags hung heavy below his dark eyes, and thick lines creased his forehead. He slouched against the back of his chair, blowing out a puff of air. A stale scent of alcohol drifted past her nose. Maybe today wasn’t a good day to resign.
“How was your vacation? Did you do anything fun and exciting?” He propped his elbows on his desk, resting his chin in his hands.
Her boss’ suit jacket had been tossed on a filing cabinet. His dress
shirt was wrinkled and his sleeves were rolled to his elbows. While he was a scoundrel of a womanizer, he usually prided himself on appearance. This disheveled look at eight in the morning couldn’t be good.
“My best friend got married on the weekend.” She spotted an empty bottle of vodka in the trashcan.
“Right, a wedding. How did that go? You didn’t happen to catch the name of their wedding planner, did you?”
Britt shook her head. If the empty bottle in the trash was any indication, he was nursing a nasty hang-over and looking for someone to blame.
Carlton slapped his hands on his desk.
She flinched at the sound of the loud bang.
“You actually thought you could pull one over on me? I am king in this business.” Glaring, he pointed a finger. “No one plans an event without me knowing. How dare you plan a wedding on your own? You work for me. I should fire you for going behind my back.”
She gripped the chair, waiting until he finished his rant. His behavior made quitting so much easier, and enjoyable. “You don’t have to fire me, because I quit.”
“You can’t quit.”
“I can and did.” A weight lifted from her shoulders. If she had known quitting would be this gratifying, she would have done it sooner. Britt turned to leave.
“No other business will hire you. I’ll make sure of that.”
His threat stopped her, and she glanced over her shoulder. “Save your threats. I’m starting my own company.”
“You’re a looker, but not too bright. You organize one wedding on your own and think you can conquer the world?”
Breathe. She wouldn’t let his drunken stupor spoil this triumphant moment. “Goodbye, Mr. Carlton.” She continued to the door.
“I know what you did!” He slammed a fist on his desk. “You’re a nosey do-gooder and backstabber.”
Britt paused. She wanted to quit and leave without a scene, but he had just crossed the line. Gripping the door handle for strength, she turned and faced her scum of a boss. “You have the nerve to call me names. You despicable excuse of a man.”
“You called my wife and told her a pack of lies!”
This day just got better. “You stare at every woman in this office wearing a skirt and heels, and you’ve approached many of them with inappropriate propositions. Your wife deserves to know what type of man she’s married to. While I would have enjoyed telling her what a despicable louse you are, I wasn’t the one who ratted. Good luck finding out, and when you do, tell her I said thank you.” Britt turned on her heel and stormed from the room. She stopped briefly to collect the box from her desk and say a quick goodbye to her coworkers, before leaving the office for good.
Once outside, she inhaled a deep breath of air. The sun warmed her face as a heavy weight lifted from her shoulders. She felt lighter and more alive than ever. Taking a leap of faith wasn’t so bad. She couldn’t wait to start working with Rachel and to share her exhilarating mood with Ryan.
Sitting in her car, she quickly texted Rachel with the news. Her friend responded by saying she’d give her two-week notice at her current employment. They agreed to meet for lunch to brainstorm their new business. Britt had a feeling Rachel would come prepared. She already worked out a business plan months ago. Rachel’s attempt to sway Britt’s decision would pay off now.
She texted Ryan next to let him know she was on her way and fifteen minutes later, Britt arrived in his driveway. Hershey’s bark could be heard from the walkway. She knocked on the door.
Ryan greeted her with a quick kiss. “Good morning, beautiful.” He had one hand on the door and the other holding Hershey’s collar. “I’m happy to see you.”
The dog stopped barking as soon as she stepped inside.
“Hey, big guy, what has you so upset?” She bent to scratch behind Hershey’s ears.
“I don’t think he likes me.”
Britt frowned. She straightened and followed the sound of the familiar female voice. Surprise didn’t best describe the overwhelming rush that hit. “Dawn.”
Hershey stood beside her and growled at the other woman.
Ryan had been right when he said Hershey didn’t hold back when he disliked someone. “Shh, it’s okay.” Britt patted his head. His rumbling ceased.
“Dawn just arrived.” Ryan faced Britt, his back toward Dawn and rolled his eyes. “Hershey started barking. I got a call from work. It sounded urgent, but I couldn’t hear.” He held up his phone. “Would you mind?”
“Go. I’ll tame the beast.” Britt rubbed Hershey’s head.
“Only you can.” He smiled, kissed her cheek then went out to the patio.
Dawn pointed to the dog. “I thought he would attack me.”
“Hershey comes off as a tough guy, but he’s a softie on the inside.” Britt met Dawn’s widened stare. The woman seemed shaken. She gripped her purse in her left hand and the back of the armchair with her right. Did Dawn really think the chair would act as protection from Hershey? Not a chance. Britt tapped Hershey’s back. The dog sat, resting against her leg. “He’s a big teddy bear.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“So, what brings you here this morning?” Britt wanted to know what Dawn was doing at Ryan’s house.
“I needed to talk to someone.”
The dread of the other woman’s return to rekindle her relationship with Ryan twisted a knot in the pit of Britt’s stomach.
“Ryan is the only friend I have.”
What about her friends from last night? Can’t she talk to one of them, instead of Ryan? Those questions were on the tip of Britt’s tongue.
“I’m sorry. I have to go.” Ryan returned, briefly glancing at Dawn before focusing on Britt. “There’s been a fire at one of the sites. I need to get there.”
“Go.” Britt reached for his briefcase by the fireplace.
“Are you sure?” Frowning, he threw a quick glance over his shoulder.
Britt nodded, passing him the briefcase. “I’ll lock up.” Ryan had given her a key last night to come and go with Hershey. He regularly took the dog to work, but she had offered to look after Hershey. He’d be great company during her temporary unemployment. She secretly promised to use the key only if warranted. This moment fell into that category. “I’m headed home to change. Dad wants to join Hershey and me for a walk.” She had dressed professionally in a pantsuit for her resignation, but she’d have to change into casual clothes for a stroll in the park.
“I’ll call as soon as I get a chance.” Ryan kissed her fully on the lips. “We’ll celebrate tonight. I’ll cook something delicious.”
“I can’t wait.” Instead of following the urge to enjoy another kiss, Britt pushed him toward the door. “Get to work.”
“You’re the best.” He winked then left without a second-glance at Dawn.
With Ryan’s departure, the room went quiet, other than a low growling tremor from Hershey’s throat.
“I should go.” Dawn slowly moved from the security of the armchair.
Hershey stood.
Wide-eyed, Dawn stopped dead in her tracks.
Britt forced back a bubble of laughter. She held the dog’s collar. “You’re clear to pass.”
“Thank you.” Dawn rushed to the door. She hesitated before leaving. “Britt, this is probably a strange question, but would you be interested in joining me for a cup of coffee?”
Strange was an understatement. Awkward seemed more fitting. “I promised Hershey a walk, and I have to meet my business partner at lunch.”
“What about later this afternoon?”
She should have let Hershey chase Dawn out of the house. Now, she was stuck and out of excuses to avoid the other woman. “I guess I could spare a half hour.” The word no seemed to have disappeared from her vocabulary.
“Wonderful. Around three at the café by the ferry terminal?”
“Sure.” Britt returned a smile. She didn’t want to have coffee with Ryan’s ex, so why did she agree. Sighing after
Dawn’s departure, Britt scratched behind the dog’s ears. “Hershey, next time I’m letting you loose to pee on her fancy shoes.”
****
Britt returned from the kitchen with a glass of lemonade. She sat on the sofa then shoved a pillow behind her back. Where did the week go? She pushed a curl behind her ear. Now Friday, the first week of unemployment had raced by. Starting a business kept her extremely busy. She shuffled through a stack of paperwork, looking for the lease.
“Good, you’re still home.” Dad entered the living room with a two-by-two foot frame in his hands.
“You finished the drawing?” Britt jumped from sofa. The papers on her lap littered the floor. Until now, Dad hadn’t let her see the drawing while in progress. Anticipation was killing her.
He set the wrapped frame by the door. Hershey followed close behind.
She stared. “Why is it covered in brown paper?” Disappointment crushed her smile.
“I wanted the reveal to be a surprise.” Dad chuckled. “Dylan crafted a frame to match Ryan’s mantel. We spoke at the wedding about his shop. He offered to help with Ryan’s special gift, and any other drawings I need framed.”
“That’s great.” Britt sat on the sofa and retrieved the papers.
He passed her the pen that had fallen. “I thought you’d be gone by now.”
For the past week, she’d gotten up early to join Ryan and Hershey for a walk before Ryan left for work. Hershey would then spend the day with Britt, or hung out with her father if she had an appointment. “I wanted to get the paperwork done on the retail space Rachel and I are leasing for the office.”
“The spot you picked is perfect. The downtown area is flourishing.”
“Several clothing boutiques are nearby and a flower shop. The walk-by traffic is ideal.” Excitement flowed through her words. She gathered the papers, signed a document, and placed it in an envelope.
Hershey strolled to the kitchen and lapped the water from the bowl on the floor.
“Will Hershey be staying today?” He pointed to the dog.
Dad looked forward to Hershey’s lively presence at the house as much as she did. “I’m headed to Ryan’s for our morning walk. Hershey and I will return later.” Britt pulled back her hair and slipped it into a ponytail.
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