Sofia filled a second container with fruit, stacked it on top of the first then slid them both into a paper bag.
“I don’t suppose you have—”
“Out.Go home.Or better yet, go to church.”
With a grin, Zoe stood.“Seriously, I’ve got your back if you decide to go ahead with the Donovan deal.”
“I know you do.That means a lot.”
“But I’ll want to know what kind of kisser he is.”
“Go to church.Twice.”
After Zoe left, the apartment seemed laden with emptiness.Zoe’s life always seemed so exciting in contrast to hers, and generally Sofia enjoyed listening to the stories.Today, though, the silence and emptiness felt like a shroud.
That damn Cade Donovan had gotten to her.And she couldn’t wait to be with him again.
* * * *
“Are you freaking kidding me?The Donovans?TheDonovans?”
Did everyone have the same reaction when they heard that name?Sofia was sitting at the wooden table that served as the warehouse’s lunch area, conference room, prep space, even an extra office in a pinch.Encore’s Corpus Christi project manager, Vivian, sat across from her.Tyrone, the branch’s foreman, was seated at the far end.
Sofia plucked the last cookie from a white platter.Since they managed the majority of the area’s events, it wasn’t unusual for restaurants, bakers or caterers to stop in with samples, much to the delight of her mouth and horror of her hips.She’d learned one thing—people only provided their very best treats.
She hesitated before putting it in her mouth.Common sense urged her to skip it and go somewhere for a salad.But the fact she’d eaten a stale protein bar for breakfast was tipping the odds in the cookie’s favor.
Her alarm had chimed at five a.m., and she’d prepared two cups of coffee for the road before making the four-and-a-half-hour drive to Corpus Christi.
After arriving, she’d said a quick hello to her staff and promised to be ready to meet just after they returned from lunch.Then she’d shut herself in her office to reply to emails, check each scheduled event’s progress, look at budgets as well as sign a couple of purchase orders and checks.
While she was there, she’d put together a presentation for Cade.She’d added pictures of other events they’d done, including some from last year’s rodeo and others showing photographs of tents and table displays, even cakes.
She’d finished with her checklists and her company’s Gold Star Satisfaction Guarantee.After emailing the whole thing to herself just in case of technical glitches, she’d sought out her managers.
“Eat it already,” Vivian insisted, jolting Sofia from her musings.
Finally, Sofia closed her eyes and took a bite of the chocolate chip deliciousness.“Bliss.I have no idea what’s in this, but damn, it’s good.”
“It was everything I could do to save that one for you,” Vivian said.
“I’m not sure whether or not to be grateful.”
“Next time, Tyrone, I won’t throw myself between you and the plate.”
“You did that for me?”Sofia asked Vivian.
“Tyrone said you’d never know what you were missing.”
Sofia scowled at her foreman.In his late thirties, Tyrone stood well over six feet tall.He was as broad as a tree, had a tribal tattoo on the upper part of his left arm, wore a bandana around his head and had a ferocious look, but a quick smile.She’d seen him devour a dozen brownies without blinking.“Did you say that?”
“Trying to protect you from yourself, boss.”He lifted one shoulder.“Part of my job description.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I sacrificed my body for you, boss,” Vivian continued.
“Your heroics have made it taste even better.”She savored every bite.“Keep this company in mind as a backup for boxed lunches,” she said.Most of that business went to her mother, but occasionally extra help was needed.
