Our call is taking longer than intended; thankfully, it’s about to end. Basil should be returning from her meeting with the Blakemans soon. Just as I go to press the End button, Juliette speaks up. “One more thing, Ms. King.”
I meet her eyes. They’re a similar shade of blue, but they’re cold, nothing like Basil’s. “Yes, ma’am?”
“Report back if my daughter is getting cozy with anyone, so I can address it. I need her to focus on work when she returns, not an affair.”
I swallow and slowly nod.About that…My gaze sulks downward for a beat, then I face her.
Juliette appears deep in thought. Her request seems random until she continues, “I was fond of Olivia and her family. Perhaps she and Basil can sort things out with a little assistance…which could lead to another job for you.”
The words stab me in the chest. That’snotwhat Basil wants. It’s not what I want. I fight to push away the thoughts of Basil going back to the person she trusted and who hurt her, of losing her, and of how hypocritical I sound.
My fist clenches the fabric of my shorts in frustration. It’s out of character for me to challenge a client on their personal life decisions, but I can’t stop the words before they exit my mouth. “Basil is a very capable and intelligent woman. I’m sure she can determine what’s best for herself, including who she loves.”
Juliette’s raised brow makes me pause. Silence stretches between us. I can’t read her expression, but the urge to quit this case right here and now is overwhelming. Ihatethat I’m doing this to Basil, but I also know I need to tread carefully. My entire career is on the line. As is my heart.
“Ms. King.” Her stern demeanor is back. “I pay you well for your private investigatory skills,notyour counsel, especially when it comes to matters concerning my daughter. As her mother, I know what’s best for my child and our family legacy.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. That was out of—”
“Please don’t mistake a free trip to that island as a reason to grow familiar. I pay you to complete work. Period.”
Before I get a chance to respond, her desk phone rings, and she disappears off screen. In the corner of my eye is my silver medal from the Sapphic Olympics on the table. I cover it with a notebook.
My mind goes back to Basil. The pangs of guilt for doing my job have tripled since our kiss on the beach days ago. I wish I could rewind to yesterday, to us celebrating our victory in every room of the villa, all night and this morning. Our other reward for second place, the black box with a red bow, is sitting on the kitchen countertop, but we didn’t get a chance to open it before her meeting started.
Recalling the way Basil looks at me and how my heart swells when she does, I know we care about each other. Being involved with someone and having this level of distrust is not sitting right with me. Never has.
Juliette returns and unmutes herself. “My apologies.” She shakes her head and sighs. “An employee is claiming a work-related injury despite a video on social media possibly proving otherwise. Looks like I’ll be needing a worker’s compensation investigation as well. We can discuss details when you return to Seattle.”
People be peopling.I nod.
Juliette opens her mouth to say something. “Let’s move on—”
“Caroline?” My name is yelled.
Basil. With wide eyes, I slam the End button and turn.
My shoulders relax. Thankfully, I locked the bedroom door. I clear my throat and respond.
“Be out in a minute.”
“I got the deal! Let’s celebrate tonight.”
I inhale and release the air in my lungs to regain composure. From the other room, I can hear Basil’s bag hitting the entryway bench. She reminds me our next itinerary event starts in less than ten minutes, which was the last thing on my mind. She sounds like she’s in a good mood, and I don’t want to change that; meanwhile, my heart and mind are at war.
Do I drop the case and a long-standing client? Is quitting Basil even an option at this point? How will Juliette respond to my breaking our agreement? At least she won’t be able to use the trip to Sapphire Isle against me. I’ll pay her back as soon as I land in Seattle, but she might take critical jabs at my reputation or worse.
I stand and grab the back of my neck. I better change at least one article of clothing while I think of next steps. I leisurely walk toward my folded stack of T-shirts in the closet and pull the middle one from the pile. If I do quit, when do I tell Basil the truth about the case? Or should I not confess anything at all?
I change into my v-neck and refold the two on top deep in thought. No. I need to tell her. Fear of the end of us plagues my heart, but the thought of continuing another day lying to her is unbearable. It’s bad enough that her mother is breaking her trust. With two strides, I’m at the nightstand. Phone. Wallet. Sunscreen. Check. I know, deep down, Basil should learn the truth and be the one to make the decision if she still wants me in her life. Whatever I do, I need to choose before leaving this island.
Easier said than done. I’m breaking all the rules I put in place years ago, the ones to protect me from getting my heart broken, which now feels inevitable.
Mind still racing, I peer into the standing mirror and adjust my hair. I tilt my head as I adjust the stands of coils where I want them. There’s no use in comparing this situation to my past. GraceknewI was a private investigator before we met and actively sought to manipulate me in favor of her divorce asset case. She never loved me. I recall the coldness in her eyes when she didn’t get the results she wanted and how useless she said I was. Everything was all a lie for her. My feelings for Basil are not. I put my hand on the doorknob to leave, but pause and take a breath.
I’ve already risked my career once for a chance at love. Is it worth doing again?
CHAPTER 22
