“I meant, I’ll take the job.”
She shuffled back a step. “That’s it. Just like that? You haven’t even met the clients. They could be difficult.”
And mysterious. Elodie Thompson had spent twenty minutes describing her vision for “intimate spaces for entertaining,” her eyes sparkling with excitement while her husband kept adding specific requests about sight lines and “private gathering areas.”
Max raised an eyebrow. “Why do I get the feeling there’s a story here?”
“Let’s just say they have—” She searched for a diplomatic way to describe their enthusiastic but cryptic consultation. “—very particular ideas about entertainment spaces. And they’re passionate about weekend gatherings.”
His mouth twitched. “Sounds intriguing. But I don’t need to meet them. The project is interesting. And my office manager will be happy to not have to balance another project.” He grinned. “And while I love designing and creating, I hate the back and forth with clients. I do my damnedest to pass that part off to my lead designer, Grace.”
“I’m tempted to make you sign the contract right now. In blood,” Paloma joked. “Partnering with you on this project will be fantastic for my business, and honestly, I like running the part you despise. Although, you have to at least meet with the clients. They want to make sure you understand their vision.”
“You promised I didn’t have to deal with them,” he play-whined before giving her one of those gorgeous, heart-stopping grins.
She forced herself to focus on the practical details. “The timeline’s tight. We’re looking at three to four months from start to finish. Think you can handle working that closely with me for that long?”
The words were out before she could stop them. Too flirtatious, especially after she promised herself to keep things professional. But Max only nodded, still wearing that smile that was definitely going to be a problem.
Chapter Four
July 22, 12:09 p.m.
Paloma pulled up to the Thompsons’ lakeside property, her car gliding smoothly over the pristine cobblestone driveway. The afternoon summer sun bathed the front of the house in a warm glow, highlighting the elegant architecture and casting long shadows across the manicured lawn. She spotted an unfamiliar dark green truck parked near the three-car garage. Parking next to it, she read the company’s name and grinned at the wordplay—MaxScape Designs.
Stepping out of her car, a cool breeze carried the faint scent of lake water from behind the house, reminding her of the hidden beauty just out of sight. In the distance, a loon’s haunting call echoed across the water. She grabbed her portfolio and tablet from the passenger seat. The grand front door swung open, and Max emerged with a state-of-the-art laser measure in hand and a camera around his neck.
“Afternoon!” he called, the word carried on a rush of eager breath. “I hope you don’t mind I got here early to start the site analysis.”
“Not at all,” she replied. Her stomach did that maddening flip-flop thing it had started doing around him. She forced her gaze away from his faded jeans that hugged his thighs, to the worn patch on his knee that somehowmade him look more rugged rather than shabby. At least he’d made it clear that night at The Hill he wasn’t interested in her. This one-sided attraction wouldn’t go anywhere. But it didn’t hurt to look. “Eager to get started?”
His eyes crinkled at the corners in the most adorable way. “I’ve been tracking the sun patterns since dawn,” he said, clicking on his camera and showing the time-stamped photos. Then, he pulled a notepad from his back pocket. It was filled with detailed sketches. Small arrows marked the changing shadows across his precise drawings “The eastern exposure is intense—we’ll need to coordinate on window treatments that protect both your interior finishes and my plantings.”
“Could you show me?” she asked.
“Of course.”
Their footsteps echoed in the cavernous entryway, and Paloma matched his quick stride. She pulled up her documentation app, capturing the intricate crown molding while he talked about light patterns. He moved on to shadow studies, and she cut in, “Wait—did you account for the seasonal changes? The sun angle shifts dramatically here in winter.”
“Already modeled it,” he said, setting down his camera and notepad on the stairs, trading them for his tablet. “Look at how the light moves across this space in December versus June.”
Paloma stepped closer, studying the rendering. “This is brilliant,” she murmured, mentally rearranging her furniture placement. She pulled up her preliminary designs. “If we shift the seating area two feet east . . .” Her fingers flew across her tablet, adjusting the layout. “See how it creates better flow around your garden space?”
“And leaves room for larger specimens in the corners,” he finished her thought, adding potential plant locations to the shared render. His shoulder brushed hers, sending warmth through her.
Moving under the massive stairs, he said, “Let me show you the lighting issue.” His fingers danced across the screen, bringing up a 3D rendering. “See this area, facing the street?”
She leaned in, her arm pressing against his as she peered at the screen. The brief contact sent a small shiver through her, and Max sucked in a breath. She glanced at him, catching a flicker of something in his eyes. Before she could name it, he quickly refocused on the tablet.
“Yes,” she said, a touch softer than she’d intended, almost sounding breathy. “Will it be difficult for plants to thrive in that dark space?”
He nodded. “It could be, but I might have found a solution. Take a look at this simulation I’ve run.” He tapped the screen, shifting, and the movement made her hyper-aware of his presence beside her. His cologne was amazing—a sophisticated blend of cedar and amber brightened with citrus notes. The way it mingled with his natural warmth created something magnetic, intensifying every time he moved close.
“The windows here create an interesting light pattern. If we install a series of reflective surfaces here and here,” he pointed, tracing the path with his finger, “I can incorporate some hearty vines that thrive under low light, creating a dynamic, welcoming entrance.”
“That’s clever,” Paloma said, her mind shifting to the job, and racing with ideas. She reached out, her hand hovering over the screen. “I planned on replacing outdated railings. You could help me pick ones that complement your vision.”
He nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “I’d be happy to help,” he said, his voice low and warm. “We could explore some designs that not only complement the lighting but also add to the overall aesthetic.”
