As they walked the one block, Natasha surveyed the neighborhood. Yarbrough Technologies was situated in an area with both residential and commercial properties, along with a park that had a walking trail. Once at the office again, she finished all the paperwork and handed it back to the executive assistant.
“I think this about does it. We have you scheduled to return two weeks from now. Your office will be ready by then.”
“Thank you, and I really appreciate the flexibility to do this remotely.” She had been nervous about asking for a schedule that would allow her to travel to LA two or three times a month as needed but utilizing videoconferencing and emails for the bulk of the job. Natasha understood that there would be times when she had to stay a little longer, especially once the materials arrived and the setup began, but she couldn’t have been happier to know she wouldn’t have to leave Firefly Lake—and Antonio—for an extended period of time.
Ms. Webb picked up the phone receiver, spoke into the handset for a minute, then hung up. “Your car is waiting downstairs.”
Natasha thanked the woman again, gathered her bags, and took the elevator to the ground floor. The black town car sat at the curb, while the driver stood at the open back door.I could get used to traveling like this.Being closer to the Long Beach airport meant avoiding the mess of LAX, and she breezed through the security checkpoint with time to spare for her noon flight.
After landing in Oakland, she still had to drive home, and depending on traffic, it could take two to three hours. Since it was still earlier in the day, she, fortunately, missed most of it.
Her first order of business was finding Antonio. She hadn’t talked to him since he walked out of her office two days ago. It had taken her much of the day and night to realize that he was willing to sacrifice their relationship in order for her to realize her dreams. It made her love him even more, but she was also determined to have her cake and eat it, too, as the saying went.
As soon as she was within a few miles of town, she engaged the Bluetooth and called his office. “Hi, Leah. It’s Natasha.”
“Hey, Tasha. How was your trip?”
Natasha shook her head. She still couldn’t believe her mother had spread her business like that. One call to Ms. Bernice and the news had spread like a lit fuse attached to a stick of dynamite. Next time she’d either wait to tell her mother or ask her not to say anything. “It was fine. Is Antonio around?”
“He’s out at the condo site. Come to think of it, he’s been out there working since before eight this morning. Same thing as yesterday.”
“Um… thanks, Leah. I’ll try him there.”
“Oh, okay. See you later.”
She hit the button to call and ask him to stop by her place when he got off so they could talk but disconnected. Natasha didn’t want to wait that long, especially because she knew he would dig his heels in about her not blowing the opportunity. However, he had no idea about the arrangement she’d made. A smile played around the corner of her mouth.But he’s about to find out.
Natasha spotted him on the partially done roof of one of the buildings as soon as she parked. If he saw her, he gave no indication because he never looked up from working. She got out, leaned against the car, and just observed the play of muscles in his sculpted arms with every movement. As if sensing her scrutiny, he lifted his head and his surprised gaze met hers.
Smiling at him, she started in his direction. “Hey, handsome.”
“Hey. How was the trip?”
“Good. Very good.”
A pained expression crossed his features, and he turned away for a split second.
Her heart swelled with emotion. How she loved this man.
“What are you doing here?”
“We need to talk.”
“We’ll talk later,” Antonio said quietly.
“This can’t wait. I won’t take up too much of your time.”
“Tasha—”
“Are you coming down, or should I come up there? Makes no difference to me.” She stepped out of her low-heeled pumps and braced her hands on the ladder. If he thought she was going to leave without setting him straight, he had another thing coming.
When Antonio had seen Natasha at her car, it had taken everything in him not to jump off the roof and haul her into his arms to show her how much he’d missed her. He knew they needed to talk, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear what she had to say. The love he felt for her consumed every part of his body, mind, and soul. All this time, he’d believed that receiving her letter ending their relationship had been the worst thing that had ever happened to him. But if he had to actuallyhearthe words from her lips, he didn’t think his heart would ever be whole again.
“Ah, boss.”
He turned to see where Todd was gesturing, and his heart jumped to his throat. “Tasha, baby, what the hell are you doing?” She was halfway up the ladder, and Todd rushed over and held it.
“Since you decided to revert to being a butthead and won’t come down, I’m coming up to you. I’m not leaving until we talk.”
