“Sorry to interrupt,” he said. “Natasha just got here and she wants to meet with all of us downstairs in the library.”
“About what?” Jordan asked, one hand still holding on to Astrid’s hip as though she were afraid Astrid might float away.
“I don’t know, but she’s got that scary calm look in her eye she gets when she doesn’t like something.”
Astrid felt her stomach flip over once... twice. She glanced at Jordan, but only for a second. It was probably nothing. Natasha was famously meticulous. Most likely, there was some detail in the crown molding that wasn’t up to snuff, a scuff on the newly painted walls.
Still, even those scenarios sent Astrid’s mind whirling.Shewas the lead designer.Shewas supposed to be meticulous, make sure everything was perfect.
The three of them headed downstairs, Astrid bringing up the rear. Natasha was already in the library, frowning down at her phone. Pru was there too, as well as Emery, but no other crew member was present.
There were also zero cameras.
Natasha liked to film everything—every interaction, positive or negative, the juicier, the better. So the fact that she clearly had no intention of filming this meeting set Astrid’s pulse racing.
“Good morning,” Natasha said when they were all inside the room. There were no chairs, no furniture to even lean against, so everyone stood in a wonky circle. Simon offered Pru his arm, and Astrid stood next to Jordan, the heat of her shoulder grounding Astrid to the floor.
“I’ll get right to it,” Natasha went on. Except then she simply pressed her hands together, phone in between her palms, and touched her fingertips to her mouth.
“I received a very interesting email yesterday evening,” Natasha finally said. “I’ve spent all night trying to figure out what to do about it, but the only thing I can think of is to simply ask.”
“Ask what?” Simon said. “Who was the email from?”
“No one I know,” Natasha said. “Her name is Meredith Quinn.”
Jordan sucked in a sharp breath. Astrid blinked at Natasha, half expecting her hair to morph into snakes or something else fantastical, anything to indicate Astrid was dreaming right now.
“Meredith Quinn emailed you,” Simon said, glancing at Jordan. “Why?”
“You know her?” Natasha asked, her voice tight and terse.
“She’s my ex-wife,” Jordan said, a frown pushing her brows low.
Natasha’s eyes popped wide at that. “Yourex?” She tapped her fingers on her phone’s screen. “Well, thatisvery interesting.”
“Why would Jordan’s ex be emailing you?” Emery asked.
“Excellent question, Emery,” Natasha said. She was clearly pissed, but Astrid couldn’t think why. WhywouldJordan’s ex be emailing Natasha?
Unless...
Astrid’s stomach plummeted to her feet. Her gaze darted to Jordan, who suddenly looked very green.
“Why don’t you read it out loud for us, Jordan,” Natasha said, “so we can all try and make sense of it.” She held out her phone, which Jordan took with a trembling hand.
For a second, Jordan just stood there, eyes on the screen as she read it to herself. She closed her eyes, a muscle jumping in her jaw.
“Come on now, Jordan,” Natasha said, “don’t keep something this intriguing to yourself.”
Astrid’s breathing had suddenly become very loud, and she had to press her lips together to keep from panting.
“Dear Ms. Rojas,”Jordan began, her voice raspy. She cleared her throat.“It is my understanding that you are currently filming the Everwood Inn renovation in Bright Falls, Oregon. I’ve long admired your show and your work, and I know you value talent and effort. Because of your integrity and reputation, any designer who was featured on your show would receive countless opportunities for growth in their field. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Therefore, I urge you to investigate the fidelity of the Everwood Inn design. Sincerely, Meredith Quinn.”
Silence echoed through the room.
“What the hell?” Simon finally said, breaking the shocked spell.
“That’s exactly what I’d like to know,” Natasha said as she took back her phone. “Jordan?”
