Blaise had no reason to be disappointed. She didn’t need to be in town until then and wouldn’t have to spend the night at a hotel. He had plenty of space, but offering his guest roomwouldcross a line. The least he could do was be a friendly party host. “Do you need a ride from the airport?”
“No, thanks. I’m renting a car.” She didn’t miss a beat answering. “Text me your home address when you get a chance.”
The rejection stung, which it shouldn’t. This wasn’t personal. “Did you finish your research?”
“Yes. I don’t have questions about Wes and Dash, but I do have one about Sunday.”
“Shoot.”
Silence filled the line.
That was strange. “Hadley?”
“How should I introduce myself to your friends, especially Wes and Dash?”
Blaise leaned back in his chair. “Be yourself. If someone asks how we met, tell them Henry, which is the truth since he recommended you.”
“Okay, I’ll do that.” Relief sounded in her voice. “I didn’t want to lie to anyone.”
“There’s no reason to do that. You’re in Portland for business.” He wanted to put her at ease. “But no one will care why you’re there.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am.” His confidence brimmed. This would work out as he planned. “Nothing to worry about. You’ll see.”
* * *
A quarter to noon on Sunday, Hadley stood at Blaise’s front door. She straightened the bottom of her blouse—a Boho-inspired shirt she’d borrowed from Fallon—over a pair of dark jeans. The brown Chelsea boots coordinated with her crossover purse. It had taken her two hours to figure out what to wear.
Ridiculous.
The Craftsman-style house—okay, mansion might be a better descriptor—was in a swanky neighborhood. Nothing she hadn’t seen in San Francisco or New York, yet her muscles twitched as if preparing for a race.
Back to the driver’s side of her rental car.
She laughed because being so nervous wasn’t like Hadley. Her clients were the elite. She knew the personality type better than most thanks to an ex-boyfriend, which was why she’d never been attracted to any of them.
Until Blaise.
Hadley clutched the handle of the gift bag she carried. Anything she felt for him was a crush, nothing more. Even if he wasn’t a potential client, the difference between their worlds was vast.
Different galaxies.
This wasn’t a fairy tale like her niece and nephew enjoyed watching. Nothing would ever happen between them.
She owned a business that paid her six figures and allowed her a condo in one of the most expensive real estate areas in the country. But he was willing to pay her two million dollars. Three, if she counted the bonus.
That kind of money was the stuff of dreams.
Yet it made their positions clearer—she would work for him. He was king of the hill, and she was a worker ant.
Which was why Hadley was here.
Not to see Blaise.
Meeting his two friends was the reason.
Ring the doorbell.
