I cleared my throat. “Sure, why not?” I was impressed with how level my voice sounded.
Cassandra looked dubious, but Cher smiled cheerily. “Winona was just telling us about her business plan for this amazing new venture she’s working on.”
I was going to murder her. Straight-up go to jail murder.
Mitchell didn’t blink. He just left the doorway to come into the room, leaning against the counter like he was settling in for story time. I wanted to scream at the way him leaning there oh-so-casually made me think of him doing the same in his kitchen. I thought of water shooting out all over the floor. Mitchell’s worried bark.I don’t care.
Now, his gaze unwavering, Mitchell said, “I’d like to hear about it.”
I wanted to do anything else. Dive out a window, maybe. Take apart Blake and Cassandra’s toilet. But I couldn’t deflect. Not on this, and not in front of him. I’d already shown enough weakness. I’d be damned if he saw any more.
I ran my finger over the words printed on my wrist, taken from the last note Mama had ever left me. It had been a long time since I’d needed her strength, but I drew on it now.
“It’s called Heartbreaker Trades,” I said, my voice not betraying how every cell in my body was now bouncing around double time. "It's a collective that will make the trades more welcoming for women at any stage of their careers." I explained how I was registering it as a non-profit; how the idea was that it wouldn’t just be a local organization, but one with chapters across North America.
The moment the words were out, I wanted to throw up. I was so proud of this venture, but the stakes had never been so high. Personally and professionally.
Which made Mitchell's presence that much more rattling.
“Oh my gosh, Winona!” Cassandra said.
Blake handed Mitchell a beer. Mitchell didn’t move. Blakemuttered something inaudible and set it on the counter beside him.
“That sounds amazing,” Blake said, focusing on me. He asked me a technical question, bless him. I knew the answer, and it allowed me to meet Blake’s eyes instead of his brother’s.
I regained my footing.
We talked about Heartbreaker Trades for a good half hour. And for a moment, I felt that thrill of excitement I’d been chasing earlier. Everyone was enthused. Everyone was smiling and asking questions.
Everyone but Mitchell, who just stared, his eyes never leaving me.
But I only sensed that now. I didn’t look at him. It made me too upset.
Eventually, Cassandra suggested we shift to the living room. Everyone got up, Cher elbowing me to get me moving.
“I’ll just be a sec,” I said, not bothering to make an excuse. I drained the last of my wine and stood to show her—and Mitchell, who still hadn’t moved—that I wasn’t staying long.
Sarah was last to leave, and she tapped her ear as she went. She’d be listening for trouble. I gave her a brief smile. The moment she was gone, I locked eyes with Mitchell once more, my arms stiff at my sides. “Did you plan this?”
“No.” No smirk, no shaking of his head. “I’m as surprised as you.”
“I’m not surprised. I’m pissed.”
Mitchell took that in but said nothing.
“I thought you never left your castle.”
“I was going a little crazy at home.”
“Going?”
A ghost of a smile. “Fair enough.”
I took a step toward him and regretted it instantly. He shifted with my proximity, like an animal twitching its ears. Receptive. Waiting.
I held steady. “Apparently, someone prepaid for my whole block to be visited by the handyman fairy. Do you know anything about that?”
“Would you have said yes if it were just you?”
